On my way to dolphin status, I’m shooting for “sea otter.” Sure, there are dolphins, orcas and whales, but how ‘bout adding a smaller marine mammal for us minnows to aspire to? Sea Otters are cute and creative. They’re playful and smart. They’re family oriented, and even sleep holding paws so they don’t drift apart. All together now, awwwwww.

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The Adopt a Minnow idea (spawned by @whatsup and @brandyb) is spectacular for so many reasons! Yay for amazing people who want to uplift newbies in the Steemisphere and create new sea otters!!!

This application is for adoption by @topkpop, but...

I realize you will have a ton of amazing applications, so I’d like to state, for the record, that I’d be massively honoured to be adopted by @topkpop, @saffisara, or @enginewitty (I see all three of you on @brandyb’s list of phenomenal adopt-a-minnow supporters.) I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, y’all have made me feel like part of the family. Thank you!

Adopt Me!

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Why adopt me?

Okay, to tell you the truth, I already feel like I’ve been adopted by a few bigger fish I’ve met (I’ve been on Steemit all of 10 days). @sykochica, @thekittygirl, @topkpop, @saffisara, pretty much everyone in #TheAlliance, and the Wonderful Wizard who named me Kat-Leia (@enginewitty) — y’all have made me feel so welcomed. I’m at home on Steemit already, but I know I still have tons to learn.

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I’d like to put a special shout out to @limabeing, the mastermind behind #teamgirlpowa, who has created a supportive environment for women, lgbt+, and those who support them. The chats have been so fun, hearing the voices of the group, and I'm thrilled to be able to participate in initiatives like #WomenSpeakOut.

I'm working towards having a heftier vote so I can be of more support to others.

I go all-out in my comments, partially to compensate for my itty-bitty vote, and partially because this is how I’m getting to know people and finding friends. That, and Discord. I can’t believe I didn’t know about Discord until I joined Steemit. This rabbit hole is the coolest!

I like to be supportive of others and add to the positive vibe of the Steemit community.

My posts include self-care reminders, yoga, music, things to make you smile, things to make you think. I recently spearheaded the #WomenSpeakOut tag as an ambassador for #TeamGirlPowa, and would love to be able to curate that conversation with a little more SP behind me. But first I’ve got to G-R-O-W.

I learn fast, I’m enthusiastic, I sincerely care about people and causes (too much, in some cases), I’m fun, and I’m intensely creative.

How Creative Are You, Katrina?

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I’m so glad you asked! : )

I won’t even talk about all the books I’ve written. Instead, let me show you my creative soul. Here’s an artsy, earthy, poetic short film that I created almost entirely myself, titled ELEMENTAL. This was a finalist in a film festival many years ago:

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In the past week, along with many others, I’ve written the following posts:

MEDITATION: An Ocean of Peace — Contributing to the Power of Positivity This post includes a guided meditation video that I filmed on the edge of the Caribbean. It actually won third place in @topkpop’s last #popcontest, which is super humbling because there were so many worthy entries!

FLASH FICTION: “Give Me Moonlight,” inspired by Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata. This is a very short love story between two people and a piano that has a ton of tension because they only ever touch the piano, not each other. It’s a breathless read, driven by a piece of music that has always gone straight to my soul.

The posts I’m proudest of in the past few days are the ones I’ve written to spearhead #WomenSpeakOut, a movement to encourage positive stories of women’s empowerment on Steemit. I volunteered in #TeamGirlPowa to be an ambassador for this project, and wrote the first #WomenSpeakOut post, as well as a follow up post, Why #WomenSpeakOut is a Good Thing for Men.

I also post fun pics, like this one that was listed third in the recent #sportsphotography @photocontest:

photo: Nat Anfield | model: Katrina Ariel

So, yeah. I’m creative. Every once in a while I turn into zombie mommy and have to go to sleep at the same time as my kids, oops! But I try to be as consistent as possible, and keep showing up to support and post quality content.

I’m driven to be successful on Steemit, and to do so I want to be a genuine contribution to the community. Yes, I’d like to earn some money here, to boost to my family’s quality of life and be able to donate to causes I care about, but the most exciting thing about this platform is the way it’s encouraging people to be good to each other. Love, love, love this!

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Respect to all mentors.

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Award-winning director Ava DuVernay says a true mentor gives love, care, concern, guidance, and information, and that this is priceless! She’s right.

Huge gratitude to everyone who is choosing to adopt a minnow, holding out your hand and helping us become sea otters.

Thanks for considering me. Much love!

Peace. @katrina-ariel