Reputation of 67, my thoughts on the state of this blockchain
I will be the first to say that this blockchain has a group of absolutely AMAZING people. At times I find myself looking at the content and not being able to reach through the blockchain to "see", "hear" and acknowledge the beautiful spiritual being on the other end of this network of technology. Sometimes the technology gets in the way, but I work hard to peer through it to catch a glimpse of the spirit within. I pray that my writings allow you all to catch a glimpse of my spirit as well and the world that I live in.
I've put in a lot of hard work on this blockchain since I first joined in October 2017. I've been blessed and rewarded by hundreds upon hundreds of users up voting my work over 34,000 times. For me, I value each vote, no matter now big or small they may be. Please allow myself the opportunity to express my gratitude to everyone who has ever voted on my blog which brings me to the top 1.9% of active users and 0.1% of all users on the blockchain. This is an amazing accomplishment and I'm grateful to you all!
I like using @arcange Steemitboard Ranking site to keep track of my progress. I find that the statistics help me as I use them to reach specific goals. I am humbled by the realization that I am now ranked 1277 in regards to reputation and I am close to breaking the top 1000 for the amount of times my work has been resteemed!
Source: @arcange (steemitboard.com/ranking)
While there is over 1.2 million accounts, it seems that the amount of active users continues to drop. According to @arcange daily statistics, the blockchain is down to around 67,000 active users in a month. The price of steem does have a direct correlation to that decrease as the active user count was approaching 200,000 at the peak about a year ago. But there is something else going on that deters or even scares people away from this blockchain; violence.
I've spoken about this issue in the past and the violence has only increased. What saddens me most is that the increase in violence is from those who felt like they should be the police of the blockchain and they are not getting positive results, only negative ones. I stand to testify that specific users resort to down voting others out of contempt and even anger. Flooding other people's posts with images of shit does not add to the value of this blockchain, but rather detracts from it as it is abusive and violent. Absolutely deplorable behaviour! The value of this blockchain is determined by the content on it and how well people can govern themselves.
If we get upset at others, declaring war against them is not the solution. This blockchain demands that we all learn how to govern ourselves. If we fail to do that, the state will do it for us and if that happens, I'm out of here. So what can we do?
I've confronted a number of these individuals in private already. My recommendation to them: Forgive the others, lead by example and bring peace to their work. We cannot change other people and it astounds me at how often people try to punish or hurt others in the hopes that it will impact behaviour. IT DOES NOT WORK. Ever hear of the fable 'The Sun and the Wind'? Persuasion is better than force!
I walk the path, leading by example and I call upon those with an open heart, compassion and empathy for our fellow brothers and sisters to do the same. I will continue to rebuke those who engage in down voting in order to punish. We are not the judge or the executioner. But we are the jury and we must stand as a witness to what is unfolding. It is not our job to judge or execute those who don't behave or piss us off. It does not work in the real world and it does not work here.
I suspect the individuals I'm talking about, come and visit my blog from time to time. If Creator wants them to receive this message, it will get to those who need it most. In that I have faith. No need to mention names here because most key bloggers on this blockchain already know who they are.
In the mean time, I will continue to add value to this blockchain and lead by example to persuade peace, love and freedom. There are thousands upon thousands of people who are looking for help to find success on this blockchain. They need stability, peace and freedom to find the courage to take risks, engage with others and feel safe in doing so. That is how we turn this blockchain around and make it the success we all want it to be. We do that by helping one another, encouraging excellence, giving tips, hints and suggestions on how we can improve upon ourselves. Growth comes when we lead by example, treat others with respect, encourage each other, make suggestions for improvement and do it in a peaceful, loving way.
That is what I needed when I first started. That is the approach I took when I started the Stewards of Terra Mater. That is what all users deserve, especially those who have a reputation rank below 1000! Yes, that means EVERYONE.
I've said it in the past, this blockchain is a mirror of what is unfolding in the real world. This is the testing grounds for peace, healing, forgiveness, prosperity, joy and love. Our blogs reflect our spirit and intent. That is clear to me. When we attack others, that attack comes back ten fold upon ourselves. The reputation of some of my past friends continues to drop which brings great sadness and pain to my heart. I pray that they find within themselves to turn that around so that they can redeem themselves and bring salvation to their spirit.
In the end, it is not about steem or the blockchain, but instead it is about our spirit and THAT is what makes this platform so valuable to me. It allows us all to connect in ways that were impossible 20 years ago. It allows us to connect, spirit to spirit in ways that can span the entire globe. It allows us to connect without big brother interfering with our relationships. It demands excellence, peace and freedom! We find ways to share, laugh and even challenge one another.
I love you all, no matter who you are. Lead by example. That is how we change this world and bring prosperity for all!!!
Well said friend! Thank-you for taking time to share your thoughts and ideas on the topic. What you speak of is maturing on a whole new level. A paradigm shift. I agree! We can do this!! The blockchain does deserve it! So does humanity. It certainly needs a better way beyond that of our past programmed habits.
I hope it's getting much warmer in your part of the countryside! What a winter! At least it gives space to share about these ideas on how to move things in a better way on Steem. I hope Creator can motivate us all to put our grown-up undies on!! The wars are so entirely senseless, draining and discouraging. Oh, to move beyond the life of duality on earth! That would be lovely. 🎶👏🙏❤😂
Indeed it is maturing on a whole new level and it does require that each of us stand up to confront those who engage in behaviours that don't resonate with that level of maturity. We all have mutual friends who engage in these types of behaviours.
It is indeed warming up and I am grateful. The 2+ weeks of extreme cold was very draining physically and emotionally. I am grateful for the warmer weather as it rejuvenates my body and allows us to start getting ready for spring. Being able to survive these brutal winters off grid is a huge accomplishment and I'm proud that we can do it with relative safety and resilience!!! Peace to you my dear sister.
No doubt the cold weather is intense. Glad you made it through with flying colors. Have you found your chainsaw? What an oopsie LOL.
In terms of confronting ppl, honestly i have such a long way to go myself in terms of understanding non-violence and being peaceful myself before I feel worthy of calling anyone else out on their violence. I am so wound up in the matrix right now. I can see glimmers of how to live differently but am far from the changes that need to be made. I am solid in my spiritual relationships and i do endeavour to stand for and be peaceful.... it's quite and unravelling process. Yet i know there's perfection in where i am at!
I think there is a verse about it in the bible about it. Something about telling someone about a splinter in their eye when you have a log in your own eye.
Indeed, you are correct.
It is wise to do your own work first and I applaud you for having the wisdom to recognize that. Bravo to you.
I've not found my chainsaw yet. I am waiting until spring when the snow melts as it is buried under several feet of snow.
This journey does require a lot of unraveling and I too have a LONGGGGG way to go. Peace and love to you along your journey my dear spiritual sister.
Another fine post my friend. There is nothing to do but have compassion. That is our role in this world: love and compassion.
The new energy that this planet is being bombarded with is changing things. Unfortunately, there are many who are still caught in the old energy; that which blasted the planet for thousands of years. Consciousness is raising in many. This is the first time in mankind's history that light is at our tails instead of dark as a headwind.
You are correct. We are seeing a microcosm of the larger here on Steem. As above so below. The universe is full of fractals. This is no different. Can we have love and compassion for those behaving in ways we do not like? The greatest light bearers in history were able to do this. In return, they actually were able to defy the law of physics.
Many fear these actions you discussed will destroy Steem. I do not believe this is the case since it was created out of spirit. This is part of the new era we are entering.
Thank you for your continued sharing of the light.
I too believe that this blockchain is spirit driven and that this whole experience is here to help us all 'see' what is going on around us. It is easy to see it here, which helps us all 'see' it out there. Like you said, micro and macro. Spirit is on the move and those that don't resonate with the direction spirit is taking all of this will find themselves left out in the cold. As we confront those who violate spirit by engaging in violence, abuse and other abhorrent behaviours, these individuals will see their support degrade and eventually disappear as people gravitate towards peace and prosperity. I support your efforts to speak to that effect my dear brother. Keep walking the path.
Well written and I agree with what you have said here.
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Highly rEsteemed!
You bring such clarity to this Chain Brother! Thank you for the exemplary work.
At least the Violence is very minimized by the operations of a distributed network, and the future will bring wonderful successes thanks to the discipline and compassion that you and others exercise here.
SteemON!
Your encouragement, acknowledgement and support is greatly appreciated. I can always count on you for sharing my work and speaking up! I am grateful for your work on this blockchain as well.
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As always, thank you for continuing to provide some food for thought.