Sometimes the Unknown is the Greatest Gift

I was all fired up to write another vintage watch article tonight but different, more important, sentiments bubbled up into my consciousness. The holidays are typically a great time of reflection for me. Instead of taking this time to pin down my New Year’s resolutions I usually review the past year, give myself virtual high fives for my accomplishments, and try to be dead honest with myself about what I could have done better.

A couple of decades of meditation practice and some very difficult life lessons have put things in a different perspective for the middle-aged me. I try to push through aches and pains, brush aside first world problems, and just focus on what I can control which is mostly only my own thoughts and actions. I try to exist within a place of gratitude as much as possible. Honestly, this isn’t always easy but it’s worth trying because being grateful for the good things in life makes the quality of it so much better.

This year I’m feeling guilty because I’m hearing a lot of people talk about how shitty of a year 2016 has been. I understand why they’d say this because this year has brought too many disappointments to count on the US and world stages but, personally speaking, 2016 was the best year of my life.

After twenty years of stumbling around, being my own worst enemy, and getting doors slammed in my face I finally got to experience what success feels like. Before July I was truly beginning to fear my success as a writer would never come, that I would spend the rest of life struggling to find my audience. I no longer have that worry because of Steemit.

Since July my wife and I have been able to become almost debt free (including massive debt accumulated as a result of the Housing Crisis of 2008, as I explained in my post – Wall Street Failed Me, Crypto-Currency Set Me Free.) I’m thrilled that my parents, now in their seventies, got to witness these past few exciting months. Although they’ve always been supportive no matter what, one of my biggest fears is they would never get to see success happen for me. My parents have struggled all of their lives, without complaint, making so many sacrifices to raise my younger brother and I. Today they live on the very meager fixed income that Social Security provides. It’s been one of my greatest joys to be able to make their lives a little easier. I’ve also enjoyed having the chance to spoil my four year old nephew a little.

So What Does 2017 Hold?

It’d be foolish if I said I know what the future holds but I do have a clear vision in terms of goals. Number one on my list is continuing to stay centered, humble, and existing in this place of gratitude.

I also plan on continuing to expand my role on Steemit by:

• promoting our platform in the most effective ways I can;
• actively recruiting talented and fascinating content creators and helping them to become as successful as possible;
• using my voting power to make sure quality content gets the rewards it deserves; and
• any other role that is asked of me and/or my skillset is suited for.

I’m excited to announce that the follow up to Alarm Clock Dawn (the second book in my ACD novel trilogy), Truth Is Stranger, will be released in installments exclusively here on Steemit BEFORE it’s published as a physical book or in eBook/audiobook formats! Being exposed to the world of cryptocurrency has reshaped my ideology in some pretty fascinating and unexpected ways. As a result, Truth Is Stranger will feature cryptocurrency as an integral part of its plot and if you enjoyed Alarm Clock Dawn I can’t wait for you to read this book! I hope to have this novel ready to launch here by late spring of 2017 so we will have another Steemy summer of regular novel episodes.

I’ll also be launching my book on meditation, The Perfect Pause, in 2017 on Peerhub so readers can purchase it with Steem Dollars. A companion series of guided meditation videos will also be in the works.

Goals in combination with a positive attitude and hard work can shape our futures in extremely profound and magical ways. This time last year I was growing concerned. My fear was that I was destined to spend the rest of my working days in a little beige cubicle, living the same day about fifty thousand more times until I retired or my position was eliminated by technology.

For me 2016 was proof that I didn't have to accept that particular version of my future. I’m excited about what these next twelve months will bring for all of us here on Steemit and I hope you share this same enthusiasm. There can be some pretty awesome things hidden just behind the veil of the unknown. In fact, sometimes the unknown is the greatest gift.

I wish you all the very best of Holiday seasons with your friends and families. THANK YOU for all the love and support you’ve shown me and other Steemians in 2016!

(Image sourced from Pixabay)

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I am an American novelist, poet, traveler, and goofball. To follow my unfolding story please visit my website here to sign up for my author newsletter.

Have you heard of - Project: Pay It Forward for the Holidays? If not click here to learn more about a simple way that you can make a real difference. If you participate and share your story in the comments of the Pay It Forward post you may experience some good karma of your very own (in the form of Steem or SBD)!

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