In my opinion you are a smart investor because you understand the STEEM system and the (2 year) commitment you made when powering up.

I wish every new person had the same understanding of the STEEM system, the rules of upvoting, and the commitment it takes not only in terms of the 2 year commitment but the time to produce quality content. And that is not to say that any quality content will immediately be recognized. There is also the commitment to consistently create quality content to find the audience and niche on SteemIt.

Many new users look at the "trending" page and immediately think dollar signs. Not realizing that like in life there is no guarantee of instant success and sometimes the payouts are small. As in life, SteemIt rewards the investment over time. Dedication and commitment do payoff, even if the only payoff is in building character.

When instant success is not achieved the discussion quickly breaks down into the "haves" versus the "have nots". Sorry, life is not fair, no matter how many rules and regulations may be imposed. But life is what you make of it. And it is that way on SteemIt, it is what you make of it.

Most people want a fair market. The best fair market is also a free market where winners and losers are not predetermined by decree; where everyone has a chance at success. Success is determined by commitment, dedication, and investment, but success is also not guaranteed. In a free market there is always a risk/reward ratio that each person needs to understand. Just like understanding the STEEM system and SteemIt.

The STEEM system and SteemIt while building a community are also building an economy. In life, those who have been participating in the economy for long time may look successful to those just starting out. In most cases their success was not instant success. But to some just starting out they may say "I want that" without realizing what makes a successful person. They are only seeing the end of success, not all the failures, commitment, and hard work it took to get there.

In my opinion @smooth understands this. And I for one applaud @smoth's diligence , success, and continued success. We can all learn from @smooth's experience.

Steem on,
Mike