I was contemplating the reasons why I enjoy Steemit when I stumbled upon this POSITIVE STEEMIT challenge. Perfect timing, Snekky! Thanks to @thebugiq for resteeming so I saw it!

This challenge is about focusing on what’s good and what’s working here on Steemit. YAY! @poeticsnake says:

Complaining is HUMAN nature! Our brain is set that way for some reason! We always spot the things that are not right, feel off or a mismatch between what we want and what we perceive we’re getting. We need this kind of human behavior for our survival. But this also means we always notice more wrong than right!

Yep. I tend to focus on what’s wrong first, but I’ve been training myself to look for the beauty. It’s been many years, but consistently remembering to reel my thoughts onto a new track has created a more positive outlook overall, and eased the downward spiral of depression that used to play like a broken record.

Focusing on the positive does increase HAPPINESS, which is the promised prize for everyone participating in the challenge. A prize indeed, to create your own happiness by turning your mind to the task.

So let's have some fun! Maybe this will get you smiling... Best Canada hat ever! #haturday

photo: Greg Eymundson/insightphotography.com | model: Katrina Ariel

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Why I love blogging on Steemit.

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• Steemit rewards RECIPROCITY, encouraging people to reach out to each other. Many friendships have been made because of this, and I’m grateful for people all over the world who are now a part of my life.

• This platform makes blogging infinitely more SATISFYING for me. I share something and receive positive feedback and rewards on a consistent basis, if I am willing to put in the time and do the same thing for others.

• I can write about anything here. The CREATIVE FREEDOM this platform invites is so amazing!

• The people I’ve met, the posts I’ve read, the ideas and laughter and touching moments I’ve shared with other Steemians — this platform is wonderful because of THE PEOPLE. Plain and simple.

• I like the transparency and accountability provided by the blockchain, and appreciate a platform where a large portion of the participants are free-thinkers, interested in EVOLUTION and innovation.

• And I love contests like these that bring us TOGETHER and help us learn about each other.

I’ve raised many of these points in previous posts, but it’s been a while. When counting blessings, often we are counting the same ones again and again, but that’s good. That’s wonderful.

Keep repeating the positive perspective, and it grows, so I choose to focus on the beauty, as much as I can.

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GRATITUDE.

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I am grateful for myself, my children, my family, my home. I am grateful for this planet, for earth, air, fire and water. I am grateful for friends, for creativity, and for imagination.

I am grateful to @topkpop for being my minnow mom for two months, when the agreement had only been for one. I'm grateful for #thealliance family like @saffisara, @enginewitty, @battleaxe, @sircork, @thekittygirl, @inthenow, @hazem91, @mikesthoughts, @c0ff33a, @ancapbarbie, @aussieninja, @crisangel, @tattoodjay, @shadowspub, and so many more — I could go on all night!

I'm grateful for #steemsugars, #lgbt, and #ladiesofsteemit friends, like @ameliabartlett, @soyrosa, @lillyraabe, @meanmommy33, @trucklife-family, @didic, @sapphic, @natureofbeing, @mountainjewel, and too many others to name!

I am grateful for you, reading this post. You are a gift!

What are you grateful for?

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Have you seen my last post? I’m really proud of it!!!

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I’ve been posting about the massive rewrites I’m doing for my novel, FALLING THROUGH THE WEAVING, a time-travel fantasy romance (dragons, wormholes, badass characters). This post got Curied (I 💖 u @curie), and I’m over-the-moon grateful for that, but I’ve hardly had any comments yet. I’d love to hear your thoughts!

If you missed it, please check out the MAIN CHARACTER MAKEOVER in yesterday’s #radicalrevisions post, and VOTE ON MY CHARACTER’S NEW NAME.

Thanks so much for reading! #ilovecurators #ilovereaders

Peace. @katrina-ariel

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Author bio: Katrina Ariel is an old-soul rebel, musician, tree-hugging yogini, and mama bear to twins. Author of Yoga for Dragon Riders (non-fiction) and Wild Horse Heart (romance), she's another free-spirit swimming in the ocean of Steemit.

dragon art: Liiga Smilshkalne

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