Money has been something that everyone not only is thinking about but has to think about in order to survive. Economies are build upon different currencies that let us trade for food, water, electricity, entertainment, luxury etc. It isn't a bad think to want to earn money and to be able to earn more than others. I am a person that always tries to stay busy and find a way to make as much earnings as possible. Been working 2-3 jobs or working and studying at the same time since my years in University and am still going for it being a true workaholic. But this is not what I want to talk about today. 

Today I want to talk about people that change their tastes, likes and behavior or support things that they do not truly like just because they make a few extra bucks out of it. A lot of people are turning into slaves to these extra earnings and it changes them. From someone supporting or doing something they do not enjoy to someone that tries to justify it and pretend they actually do. That has a huge impact on everyone in their 'atmosphere'. 

A close friend of mine once said to me 'sometimes we have to balance our happiness'.

 He lives in my hometown and is doing well, has a good job and on the side does something he really enjoys which is teaching and being a fencing coach (he is actually teaching in the high school I graduated). He was offered a job in the capital with a lot of benefits - more than double his current salary, apartment and a car. And even if it sounded amazing as an opportunity to grow he declined. That is when he said this to me and I have remembered it until this day and probably always will. He was happy as is and this income boost wouldn't have made him happier.. on the contrary it would've distant him from his close friends, his family and his teaching. 

I have experienced this too don't get me wrong I've been presented with opportunities I've even taken and regretted because I wanted success.

How I fell for it a few years ago

A lot of people say that all the famous and successful people must be rich and happy and have no reason to complain about anything. Wrong! You have no idea what sacrifices some people take in order to get to where they are and sometimes this scars them for life! Sometimes the business you are in changes you so much that you lose your true self in what you do as it happens in the musical business. Just look at the suicides lately.. I don't even want to go there. 

Years ago when I was still a student in the Musical Academy we had the first X Factor in Bulgaria. I was following the shows in the other countries and knew the format quite well and it didn't take me long to figure out they are following the last UK one and that meant they would form boy and girl bands out of some of the contestants. In the interviews we were giving I made sure I don't end up in one.. I was saying I don't ever see myself in a band, I like solo projects etc. In the end I didn't go to the final round but became friend with the lead director and some of the staff working there. They kept telling me later on how close I was into getting the groups and I was glad I didn't because I just didn't want to. The boy band went on to the finals and had some good success over then next year or two. Call it destiny but two years later one of the boys from this band went to study in Canada so they had a gap to fill. Since Bulgaria is quite small and they all knew me they called me and asked me if I would like to join. They had a new big project, were going to sign with new producers that we all though at the time were quite strong connection wise and well.. me being desperate to do music accepted this time. So we started and we made our first single. We were on every radio and music TV channel in the country. Hitting top 10s being first on some of them, having gigs here and there, going for interviews on every show there is but I wasn't truly happy. I wasn't enjoying the music we were doing and for an artist that is something very important. I just realised how hard it is for artists to get exposure because they need to do what they are told and make corrections to their own music so it can fit in the current trends. It is devastating singing about something that makes no sense to you. Friends have asked me.. okay I like the beat and the melody but what is the song about? Well my answer was usually 'I've no idea!'. You can't give it your all if it doesn't feel right. I was on the train already though so we did a second single with pretty wealthy sponsors and new producers (again) and shortly after we did the group disbanded. I liked the guys and we were friends but our visions were so different that it was so hard to do something your way.. and then you have another person on top that tells you to change things even more. What I am trying to say is I gained experience out of the whole adventure it wasn't who I am - not as an artist and or person. 

I can talk more about me but the reason I wrote this post is because I just saw something on Steemit or more like am seeing it for the past month (that is how long I've been here) and with the risk of making people mad at me I would just like to say what I think. 

How earning an extra buck on Steemit isn't always a good thing

Now this is my opinion only again.. you don't have to agree with me but just bear with me. Now everyone wants a piece of the cake here on Steemit. It is a social platform but it is a social platform that can make you money and that is a very good thing but it can be a bad one as well. Now by being payed for commenting and blogging people act a lot nicer. You don't have the normal internet trolls and spammers (well maybe some spammers but they get flagged), you don't have the usual haters on every post - disliking and spitting on your work which is great! 

What isn't great is how money makes us boot lickers.. Yep it might sound a bit harsh but this isn't a democratic platform. There are people with more influence than others and they dictate what goes up and down even though we small fish can show our small appreciation of things too. Commenting is a great way to start getting followers, getting to know people and even earning well. Some of the whales pay massive amounts for comments (you can easily earn more money from a simple comment than writing a post This Long). So people start racing towards these posts spreading their 'love' sometimes not even reading the content and simply commenting with 'Great post! Thank you!' probably wishing they get seen first and upvoted.. Well sometimes that backfires because you can't read a long post or watch a 5 min video in 30 sec now can you? But sometimes it works. Sometimes the content won't even be good and the people won't even like it but will still comment on it saying how grateful they are for this post and blabadi bla bla. This is what I am talking about! People will comment on anything ditching their standards towards good content just so they can get that extra buck. 

There is a very good saying about this - If you have nothing good to say, better not say anything at all. And this is how I feel about this platform or how I do things in general on the internet. If I like something.. well I like it and I upvote it or give it a like, share, comment something that makes sense and shows appreciation. If I don't like it I don't do anything.. That is right it is that easy. I am not saying some posts are bad and everyone has to hate on them or that everyone has to like others. We all have our own opinions and are free to like or dislike anything. But a lot of people pretend to like something or try so hard liking it so they can find some enjoyment in what they do for money. I have friends that became really successful in the musical business in my home country and even though their personalities didn't change much and I still love them for who they are, their tastes for music went on a roller coaster. From 'how can people even enjoy this' (comment on a poppy rap song) to 'this song is banging' a year later about basically the same crap. 

I don't want to crap on anyone's work or posts but I encourage people not to be slaves to the money. I know it looks like a good deal -'Oh I'll just write down how much I appreciate his work and post and I can get an easy 1-2$. I don't really agree with him but I don't have to really say that.' and even if that is true it makes you support something you actually do not.  You lie to that person and to yourself.. It is like selling your vote for an election.. it just impacts a different environment. It is small steps like this that can turn you into someone that will do anything for that extra buck, work an unsatisfying job and feeling sorry for yourself even if you are successful in someone else's eyes. 

Don't beg for follows or upvotes on other peoples posts, don't write unmeaningful comments that will just pass by the person. Be yourself and do what you do best and what you truly enjoy.. on Steemit, in life, anywhere! If people appreciate you then you are doing great! If they do not, find a way to better yourself and try again.. don't give up because it is hard just try to do your own thing. Appreciate people because you like what they do.. not because the masses are liking them. It makes an impact because you become one of the mass otherwise.. lose yourself in it and it consumes you. It becomes bigger and stronger and dictates even more so what is going on not only on Steemit.. on Youtube.. on the Tv.. in LIFE! 

I hope I didn't bored you or offended anyone with this. But that is my vision on things in life and I'll be glad to see in the comments if anyone else shares the same thoughts! Have a great evening!