I have a problem. I want everyone to be happy.
This is, obviously, out of my control and unrealistic. Other emotions are important, and we are all human. I’m not always happy (not even close). And being happy 100% of the time isn’t really what I mean.
I just want everyone to be okay. To know they’re appreciated, that they matter, that their contribution is important, and that we’re all in this together. I’m talking about life in general here, but this definitely applies on Steemit, a platform that encourages this kind of attitude. Hooray!
I’m horrible at competition. I mean, I’ll try to win, but I’d rather everyone else won, too.
Can’t we all get prizes? You showed up? You get a prize. If you tried, you get a prize. You did your absolute best? Prize, prize, prize!
Make an effort, do what you can, be who you are, be good to others, continue to evolve, and I’m gonna cheer you on. Go you, you’re awesome!
That’s what I feel like Steemit encourages, especially with the help of groups on Discord.
I love it here. :)
💖 💖 💖
But I have another problem. I wish I could greet all the newbies on Steemit with a grin and 1000% enthusiasm!
Can’t do it. Not even close. I only can visit a handful of posts when there are thousands signing up! So if you’re new here, and you’re reading this, Hi!!! Welcome to Steemit! :)
On with my “wanting everyone to be happy” issue.
I want everyone in the world to have equal footing, more-or-less. I mean, I think we all have to contribute, but contributions could just be what people are inspired to put forward, to offer their skills to the whole. I think @adsactly functions off this model, and I’m sure there are other groups/societies that do so on a broad scale. (If you know of any, feel free to mention in the comments! I’m still learning so much!)
Something deep inside of me yearns for equality, always has. My heart wants everyone to have respect for each other, and respect for themselves.
All of us live on the same planet. We have enough resources—if we work together—to feed everyone, to educate everyone, to encourage each person and family and city and continent to thrive.
Me? I spread positivity because I want to inspire others, I want to help uplift the collective human experience. It all ripples out, you know?
I love this planet.
I want us all to thrive. If we could stop judging each other, stop competing with each other, and just work together…
This goes through my mind a lot.
photo: Nat Anfield. Shot at one of my yoga classes.
Yoga is the way you live.
I’ve studied yoga for — yikes — eighteen years now? I’ve been a teacher for twelve years. Yoga guides my every day life, even if I might only get twenty minutes on my mat.
Yoga is mindfulness. Mindfulness asks us to be present, to acknowledge the way we live and how it affects others, and to refine ourselves: to find balance that allows for freedom of self and harmony with others. It is a constant practice, never a perfect thing, but a worthy aim to have as a guide.
I’m still learning how to let go better. How long do I have to practice this? Oh right, my whole life.
My wanting-people-to-be-happy problem is helped immensely by yoga. Empathy is a blessing and a challenge. It isn’t up to me how others respond, or how they live. All I can do is allow others to do their thing, keep being me, and hope by shining as bright as I can, I inspire other people to do the same.
I know, at least, that every peaceful thought, every moment spent in a loving vibration, I’m also sharing that vibration with the planet. Everything is interconnected. So I choose happiness — joy — as often as I can. And I know it ripples out. :)
photo: Nat Anfield
Note to Newbies / Why I dropped this post in #introduceyourself:
I’ve been on Steemit for almost a month now (so if you’re new and your post doesn’t have many votes or comments yet, don't worry. I’ve made friends. You can too.) I put this post here because it’s me sharing a key part of who I am, but also because I wanted more people who are new to Steemit to see it.
We’re so glad you’re here!
We are. I’m speaking for many Steemians when I say that. There are some awesome people blogging and curating on Steemit, and helping newbies is a big priority for lots of them.
Here are a few Steemians I’ve found who are making Steemit a nicer place for newbies: @randomwanderings @topkpop @thekittygirl @davemccoy @sykochica @carlgnash @curie @ocd.
Check them out. Give them a follow if you like their stuff. (@curie and @ocd are curating groups. Study the posts they curate to see examples of high-quality blogging.)
There are also people who sponsor newbies, such as the #adoptaminnow initiative.
If you want to know more about earning money on Steemit, @ameliabartlett just wrote this awesome post.
Tip: When you read something you like or find a person you want to interact with (maybe a new friend), hit the reply button and leave a thoughtful comment. 💖
I have three bits of advice:
- Have fun! Really. Be genuine, be yourself. Be good to others. Learn a little every day. But you’ll be doing these things if you just have fun, right? So, have fun! :)
- Post quality content. If you post a photo, write a little story or contemplation to go with it. Make it look good. Contribute something worthwhile (meaningful, funny, whatever) to the world of Steemit. That’s what it’s about. The higher quality content you put out, the more likely people will support your blog.
- Make friends. Find your tribe. Comments are where it’s at, and Discord rocks! (Discord is fun. I didn’t know anything about it at the start, but you learn a little bit each day.) Support people, and they will start to support you (follow steps 1 and 2).
There are tons of communities to join.
Read people’s posts, and if they have banners at the bottom or use tags such as the ones below, you can click on the tag to find content from members of these communities. Look around, or ask someone, to find out how to join communities you find interesting.
#teamgirlpowa #steemsugars #thealliance #steemusa #teamcanada #adsactly ... there are so many more!
💖 Thank you for reading!
If you’re new and you read this whole post, please say hello in the comments. Tell me something about yourself, or your thoughts on this article. Maybe drop your intro post link there. :)
If you’ve been on Steemit for a while, please help me greet new minnows, if you're inspired to do so. If you're part of a supportive community here on Steemit, feel free to let us know about it. :)
Whoever you are, wherever you are, I wish you joy and peace.
Take care of yourself. You are a gift!
Peace. @katrina-ariel
Welcome to Steem Community @katrina-ariel! As a gentle reminder, please keep your master password safe. The best practise is to use your private posting key to login to Steemit when posting; and the private active key for wallet related transactions.
In the New Steemians project, we help new members of steem by education and resteeeming their articles. Get your articles resteemed too for maximum exposure. You can learn more about it here: https://steemit.com/introduceyourself/@gaman/new-steemians-project-launch
Wow, simply LOVE that sillhouette photo.
and great post!
Thanks so much for reading! Glad you enjoyed it. :)
Excellent Kartrina... I know you say you are not happy 100% of the time, but I think you are just being modest! :D
This is exactly why you are a founding member of the #newbieresteemday initiative. You want to help naturally and by just being you, you help our cause without even trying!
Keep it up and I always love to stumble onto one of your inspirational posts.
Have a good weekend!
Thank you Dave! No really, I'm not happy all the time. lol! I'm all too human.
Huge gratitude for dropping the #newbieresteemday tag here! This is a great initiative for minnows! Keep being you! :)
Back at ya! ... Have a great weekend :)
This is one of the best into posts I've seen. I also do yoga, and have been teaching for 10 years (getting old!). Love your attitude and your heart. Much love.
Thanks so much! So glad to meet you! :)
Hello @katrina-ariel, you are such a sweetheart.. I'm totally with you, I'm loving my yoga practice and the incredible multi-faceted benefits it has on my relationship with myself and the world..
Thanks a lot for sharing all these resources, you're a star!!! I'm going to check all those people and communities out that you mentioned. I would like to join the alliance, but don't know how? Also nice to know you're on steemsugars as well! <3
I also want everyone to be happy, but we're all on a journey and I think acknowledging everyone where they're at, really listening and being present rather than trying to change them, is the key for moving forward!! I'm saying this because I've been experiencing a perspective shift in my space-holding skills and it feels so much better to really become curious and inquire into a person's inner life, rather than believing you know what's better for them... because that thing worked for you! this way you are facilitating a process of self-inquiry and self-awareness for them, which is what ultimately we all need. to know ourselves!!!
And steemit is helping me immensely in this regard, realizing that without truly giving, we don't create authentic and genuine communities :)
So nice to know that you exist here, and I'm looking forward to connecting more with you!
this is my latest post if you fancy a read :)
https://steemit.com/ecotrain/@bristena94/diary-of-a-free-spirit-ep-3-the-day-that-changed-my-life
Thank you so much for this wonderful comment! I love your thoughts about being interested in others' journeys and holding space for their own self-inquiry/awareness. You said it so well!
To learn more about the Alliance, and how to join, check out this post. I'm in Alpha Syndicate (in case you're wondering.) :) https://steemit.com/thealliance/@thealliance/notes-issue-14
Really glad to meet you here. Thanks for dropping that link. I'm off to have a read! Brightest blessings!
Thanks so much for that link, I'll check it out very soon! So many links I keep saving for later to read and properly digest, I assume you know how that goes? Let's stay in touch. You're shining bright <3
Welcome to Steem. Do read A thumb rule for steemit minnows - 50:100:200:25 for starter tips.
Also get to know more about Steem reading the Steem Blue Paper and share your feedback on our Steem Blue Paper Awareness Initiative
All the Best!!!
Happiness is life for others but more importantly for yourself! And thanks for the welcome
Yes! Happiness starts with the self. Thank you for pointing out that crucial point. :) Steem on!
love for the balance
I agree. We all just want to be happy, to fit in, and to do what we love--a vision to a beautiful world. I used to think there was something wrong with me because I couldn't understand why goods and materials to sell were more important than people. Thankfully, very good movements and groups are inching along in finding their way into hearts and minds of people around the world.
https://steemit.com/health/@shevans/understand-the-universe-and-become-a-creator
http://keshefoundation.org/
https://www.ubuntuplanet.org/
Yes! Thankfully there are a lot of people waking up, and lots of "woke" groups creating something different! A vision to a beautiful world indeed. :)
I just adore you. Nothing else to say here :)
Why thank you! lol! ((hugs))
...glowing...
That's a big class! Do you only do classes in Canada?
Yes, and I don't teach much anymore. I love that photo for showing how people can come together to create something beautiful. :)
:( Come teach me! lol
Welcome to Steemit. I think you will like it. There are plenty of people who love talking about cryptocurrencies, but lots of other interests too. Have fun
You have a beautiful heart! :)
Aw, thank you so much! As do you. :)
Welcome to Steem. Do read A thumb rule for steemit minnows - 50:100:200:25 for starter tips.
Also get to know more about Steem reading the Steem Blue Paper and share your feedback on our Steem Blue Paper Awareness Initiative
All the Best!!!
Thank you very much Katrina for sharing with us these sincere lines, I wish you a successful life full of love and happiness.
Thank you so much! Blessings to you as well. :)
Thank you 😆
I love that I have come across more genuinely positive and loving people on Steemit than I have found anywhere else! Your attitude is infectious!
Oh good. It's working. lol! :) So glad to meet you here. Yes, Steemit encourages us to be good to each other. Yay!!!
Thank you
I will try what you say
Great initiative! I noted that you always brings a smile upon my face with your posts. You never cease to surprise me. I am sending you a big virtual hug.
So sweet. And thank you! I surprise myself, lol! But I'm glad my posts make you smile. That means I'm fulfilling part of my purpose in life. Yay! ((hugs!)) #gratitude
Love all of this. I think it is so sweet and noble that you feel this way, and I can tell you have such an amazing thoughtful heart only from knowing you recently. I do have an actual question though for you. I know yoga is good for me. Yet, I tend to put it last. I used to do sun salutations in the morning but fell off the boat with that, but even that isn't just enough. So, having said that. What do you recommend for someone who doesn't have a ton of time but really wants to insert a daily yoga bit into their lives every day? Any tips? Any sequences? Anything lol
Aw, thank you so much! ...blushing... As for your question, the short answer is do whatever you can. 5 minutes, 10 minutes, just get on your mat every day and move, without the pressure of doing a longer practice. I'll see if I can get a post (or series of posts) up to help with yoga questions, as you're not the first to inquire. Deep breaths are also good, anytime. :)
You are good people, Katrina. I'm happy to have gotten to know you a little bit during our concurrent first months here.
Echo echo, friend. Thank you for being you!
An egalitarian society is ideal, indeed. This post feels so heartwarming and sincere. Nice to meet you!
I am wander-full! I'm only a few days old here in steemit but I have been welcomed warmly by members of this community.
https://steemit.com/introduceyourself/@wander-full/introduceyourself-flights-over-frappe-dceedb2511ffa
Thank you for your kind comment! It's wonderful to meet you, too. I'm so glad you've found Steemit, and have been welcomed by community. I look forward to reading more of your thoughts about travel and life. :)
You'll hear more of my travel stories. Please don't get tired of reading 'em. 😁😁😁
Welcome to the network!
You were placed on my feed through a resteem. Lucky me! Nice post.
Namaste. ✌💛
Great post and good advice! Thanks for the link to @ameliabartlett's post too. Really good info for new(ish) Steemers.
Excellent inspirational post for new users, lot's of good advice and plenty to be learned just from your posting style!
#thealliance