What a great contest idea! I especially like the idea of a newbie being able to re-post some quality content that perhaps was missed based on their lack of followers; AND the idea that if you resteem someone's entry, you can post two of your own...very clever indeed! In the end, anyone who gets an opportunity to showcase their work on someone else's page and get the chance to win a membership to @steembasicincome is a winner in my books!
I joined steemit in mid-December and soon met @davemccoy (actually, I think we started about the same time:) and became a part of @newbieresteemday. I was a English/History high school teach for years and love the opportunity to be helping people learn once again. I later owned and operated a restaurant and personally trained my employees, focusing on the tasks, but more importantly, the idea that we were a team and that although I was the "boss", it was more important to me that we all worked equally together for the benefit of the restaurant and our customers. I realised a long time ago, that if you are fair, helpful and honest with people, they eventually want to show their appreciation by working hard to please you in return; but also they learn to treat and teach new staff in the same regards. It's like the idea of paying the learned behaviour forward...and all of that is something I've seen countless times on steemit!
My two favourite posts both revolve around the love of my life, @briancourteau. He unfortunately has cancer; something we have both blogged about here. My first entry is a poem I wrote in response to his pain https://steemit.com/poetry/@lynncoyle1/love-and-pain-and-cancer and my second entry is a response to a poem he posted about his feelings that he is losing his battle to cancer. https://steemit.com/love/@lynncoyle1/response-to-poem-to-my-wife-as-my-cancer-starts-to-win-the-battle
I chose @vanholio's post here to comment on and resteem...and of course I'm resteeming yours as well!
Thank you again for this opportunity! Cheers:)
Thank you for your kind words and for this entry @lynncoyle1 ! Steemit needs people like you on here, so please, keep releasing great content to the community and you will grow to heights you cannot imagine. The entry is something that touched me personally, as I have had a battle with cancer in the past and am lucky to even be sitting here. My battle was with incredibly aggressive skin Melanoma that had taken a liking to my back and neck and was not caught until nearly beginning the third stage, nesting in over my spine and important organs. I know the feeling your husband feels, and I know his battle, this fight took everything I had mentally, emotionally, physically and more. It is scary, it is draining and it will take all hope from you, leaving you vulnerable and in a place you wish you never were. I thought I was gone and that it was purposeless to continue trying. I would kiss my child goodbye daily as if I wouldn't see her in the evening, and my wife never really understood the severity of the situation because of my fear of disclosing the full bit. I kept a good deal from her to keep her from worrying too much, which was selfish on my part in hindsight and also made the battle more my own than that of having to fall back on support. What gave me the fight and drive to carry on was my legacy and my unwillingness to allow something to drag me into the ground unless it was myself. I had found that when I allowed cancer to win and accepted defeat, it would indeed win and take me from the world. It took me a while to realize that as a human being, it was my responsibility to fight as hard as I possibly could, that I have spent my entire life fighting, so why should this be any different. In the end, after many peaks and valleys, after many moments of contemplating just dying and ending it all, I ended up winning and putting the beast to rest (though remission and not eradication is a pyrrhic victory). I chalked it up to sheer luck, but many people say the fight and resilience is what made it go into remission, that we control the fight if we believe we do. I don't know, but I just wanted to share this with you, I felt compelled to. Please, remind your husband to fight as hard as possible, even when he feels there is no purpose in it. Tell him to fight, to always fight and never give up, even when hope is so far lost we sometimes contemplate doing cancer's job for it and removing ourselves from the world. I know the mental and emotional battle is something most people will never understand, but he has to keep going and hold his ground!
Thank you for sharing this. I'm sorry for the little spiel, but something made me want to type that. I really appreciate you entering this event and for providing this entry. It was a pleasure to read and is great work!
Please don't be sorry for your "spiel", it was so thoughtful and kind of you to share it with us; by us, I mean that I had Brian read your response. He was 'amazed', partly because someone else understands exactly what he's going through, and partly because you prove that there is always hope. He said to tell you that he hasn't given up, although there are days he would like to. The similarities are striking in the way you and my husband tried to hide it and not tell your respective wives all the details as well!
I am so glad that you are here to tell your tale! I do believe in the power of positive thinking and the human will to live. Combined they're a powerful force.
I'm also thankful that you enjoyed my work; it came from the heart, and I believe anything authentic like that often comes across well.
Thanks again for running this contest...the prize is a wonderful one!
Cheers:)
I was worried about delving into something I wasn't personally invited to, which I'm glad was received with open arms. I know it sucks to be in his position, but like I said, the fight goes on IF you allow it to. If he let's down his will to endure or his guard, he's giving ground to that horrendous abomination and giving it an opportunity to press forward. I, like him, had felt days where I just wanted to cease existence because it is overwhelming and even sometimes a victory still felt like a loss. It's a raw deal and nobody deserves to go through it, for a while I wondered "why me? why would God let this happen"....it tested my faith, it tested my will to move forward with anything in life....it tested the very foundation of my sanity. It was one of the toughest things I had to do in life, and I'm fortunate to be here telling you both. I am beyond happy to have him tell me he has not given up. The last thing he should do is that, regardless of what may come in the future. If he has a strong will to push through this and does not let this consume him, you guys may be surprised what could come of it. I wish him and you nothing but the best of outcomes with this situation, and even if you guys are not overly religious, I will be praying for his recovery and his strength during this. I am also going to recommend him to several prayer chains and groups that will do the same. Just know, his support has now reached new levels. If he ever needs to vent or ask me anything, he is more than welcome to contact me via email here - [email protected]. It would be a privilege to help in any way I can, especially support.
The poem you wrote your husband was very touching to say the least. Not as many people are fortunate enough to have the support that he does with you, that is for sure. It not only was a great piece, but shed light on the type of workmanship you are giving the community. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to see this and engage in it. Keep up the great work, I'm looking forward to seeing more of your artistry in the future :)
I think you'll eventually see that I am near impossible to offend:) I try to focus on intentions, and it was very obvious that yours were good. And I appreciate that!
I can't even add to your feelings about all this because they mirror mine and Brian's perfectly. It really does make you question almost everything you thought you knew; and in the end it's a big rip-off, but complaining won't get us very far, so I try to stay positive and look for solutions instead. Thank you for your email; you may eventually hear from Brian. He is very thankful as well.
We are not overly religious, but we are believers, and regardless, appreciate all the thoughts and prayers you send our way.
I also want to thank you for your kudos to my writing/posts. I work hard at them and believe every single one is a first impression to someone; I would never post anything but my best. It's the teacher coming out in me...I taught high school English/History/ESL for years :) That's one of the reasons I love @newbieresteemday (Dave and I started about the same time and I joined with him as soon as he and mudcat came up with the idea). There are plenty of opportunities daily to help people here and it doesn't even have to be in the form of a post. There are many times I leave helpful advice to 'newbies' who I can tell need it.
People helping people; that is and always will be my thing :)
You both are very welcome, it's just what I do. I try my best to help people and be supportive. I'm glad that I was able to offer my support and words to you guys!
Thank you for being a great member of the community and having the willingness to help others. The Steemit platform will flourish because of people like you getting involved! Keep up the amazing work!
HOORAY!!! Thank you so much for making my day!! I really appreciate it :)
You've made me somewhat speechless at the moment...not an easy feat at all!
Thank you again! :)
You are very welcome :) Welcome to Steem Basic Income! Great work, please, keep it up!