Choices

in #story7 years ago (edited)

2017 was absolutely incredible...a miracle really. I can trace all of this year’s fabulously serendipitous events, directly or indirectly, to Steemit. I realized this morning that each of the goals I set for myself when I was young and naive have been surpassed. It feels surreal but strangely anticlimactic.

Four years ago, after reading a book called Choose Yourself, I made the conscious choice to stop chasing material rewards and fame as a writer. I pinpoint this is the precise moment when the universe began to open doors.

At first the rooms on the other side of those doors were small and the tests were relatively simple and easy. With each new door that opened the rooms became a little more massive, and the tests, markedly more difficult.

Four years later I find myself at a place where I don’t have to write another word but, now, I have the desire to write more than ever. Writing is usually the first thing I think about when I wake up in the morning and what occupies my mind as I drift off to sleep. The creativity is flowing like never before.

I am so lucky to find myself surrounded by extraordinary people doing extraordinary things and the enthusiasm is contagious. These amazing folks are doing what they do, not because they have to, but because they want to and it fills them with positive energy and joy.

Having the freedom to choose is a great blessing in this world we live in but should be a birthright. Unfortunately, we don’t live in the kind of world where this is easy...at least not yet. I believe cryptocurrency and blockchain technology will help many people achieve this great freedom.

We achieved a gigantic milestone with the HardFork series yesterday and are so excited to begin sharing some of the details with you all (from our HardFork Series account) early in 2018!

Reality is usually so much different from our dreams. Sometimes it’s even better. I see writing now for what it is, a true blessing. I feel completely alive, awakened, and am full of hope.

The following samurai quote came across my Facebook newsfeed (of all places) today. This is how I choose to live out the rest of my days.


I Choose

To live by choice, not by chance.

To be motivated, not manipulated.

To be useful, not used.

To make changes, not excuses.

To excel, not compete.

I choose self-esteem, not self-pity.

I choose to listen to my inner voice.

Not the random opinion of others.


Much love from my family to yours. We wish you the freedom and the courage to live life as you choose in 2018. Happy New Year!

(Gif compliments of Giphy.com)

Please follow our official Steemit account for the film series @hardfork-series. Did you miss our last post? If so CLICK HERE to read it!

alt text

*I am an American novelist, poet, traveler, and crypto-enthusiast. If you’ve enjoyed my work please sign up for my author newsletter at my website. Newsletter subscribers will receive exclusive updates and special offers and your information will never be sold or shared.

My book on meditation, The Perfect Pause, is priced at $12.99 (paperback) and $4.99 (eBook). Buy the paperback and receive the eBook for free!

Connect with Me

www.ericvancewalton.net

alt text

alt text alt textalt text alt text alt text

Sort:  

Chasing material rewards and fame, that sums up so much of my focus as an adult, so much of my inner and outer world. The snake and it’s tail. True to form, your New Years missive is the perfect antidote to time wasted living a single moment for the wrong reasons. The samurai code bonds us together. Purpose is clear now. Happy new year my friend! What an incredible year it’s been, I get a feeling 2018 is going to be completely off the hook!

Thank you, brother! I'm so thankful that Steemit introduced us and helped to manifest this amazing project we're working on. I have no doubt that 2018 will be an incredible year. We have such a great adventure ahead of us and I can't think of anyone I'd rather share it with. Cheers to HardFork!

Congratulations on your success! Whilenot on the same level as you, as another former "identifies as a writer but spends all creative energy on worrying about not writing" Steem, even with my relatively paltry wallet, has also finally pushed me to stop thinking about it and just do it. it's oddly liberating (i say odd as one would think the normal reaction would be to feel pressure to constantly be producing, and I'm sure some do, just not me which lesbehonest takes precedent lol)

A good post, I must say.You are right our choices make us what we want to be.
Happy New year, Hope you had good year and 2018 will be full of success and blessings for you.
I have just joined steemit and made my first introduction post, do you mind checking that.
I hope I will have great time on steem.

Even though I found Steemit recently, it is already beginning to have positive effects on myself similar to the ones that you mentioned. There really are some extraordinary people using this site and it is great being surrounded by such talented people.

Seeing as you have been on the platform for awhile hearing you say all this just makes me even more excited for the future :).

You'll be so happy you joined! Steemit truly is a gateway to a better life. I wish you much success here!

I'm grateful to steemit as well and that we've met in this 2017!

Maybe 2016 but I'm grateful all the same.

Happy New Years my friend!

I'm very grateful to have met you too, Adil! I hope you had an amazing New Year my friend!

your list of what you choose is EXCELLENT, it just cuts right through "it". I may borrow it as a reminder to refer to. Happy 2018 to you and your family too and cheers to a miraculous year ahead! I am irrationally optimistic about it.

Thank you, Ruth! I'm glad you enjoyed it! This list will definitely be my mantra for 2018. I hope you and your family have an amazing a prosperous 2018!

You too Eric!! So excited for your new developments ;-)

True words with meaningful saying which at least for myself is an inspiration. I have found here on STEEMIT great people, with good or bad experiences during their lifetime and somehow feeling safe enough to share that, get help and help in return.I feel that we are all growing together with the platform and we mature ourselves along the road.

You are so right. The first steps are the most difficult!

Great stuff, looking forward to the new notices about HardFork for 2018 / Peace

Thanks! We have a huge announcement coming this week. Peace!

I see some of the titles you published, VERY IMPRESSIVE Eric. I might start back doing my segment called Inspirational Entrepreneur, it's where I would do content on upcoming content innovator like you and myself. :D

Happy new year @ericvancewalton hope you inspire new user like me and help them grow i think of you as my motivation... Keep it up sir lots of love for you... I wish your journey becomes more fruitful.. Keep steeming!!

Thank you! Happy New Year!

Coin Marketplace

STEEM 0.21
TRX 0.13
JST 0.030
BTC 67334.64
ETH 3519.34
USDT 1.00
SBD 3.10