Almost a year. Thank you my 1000!

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Although I have learned by now that the numbers are not what matters as much as the connections and friendships you make, I still want to say ''thanks''! It has been almost a year for me. Here, on steemit. There have been ups and downs (mostly ups). And I have learned and grown, I have met many, many wonderful people. I use the word ''awesome'' a lot in my video and that is the one phrase that describes my journey on the platform. Why?

A little less than a year ago I had no idea what I could do with my adult life. I knew what I wanted to make out of it but I did not know how. First, Bitcoin entered my life, then countless other coins(for research purposes). Among those coins there was steemit. I was skeptical at first. Happy when my introduction post made a little bit. I did not take it seriously in the beginning, though. I guess that is why I continued posting. And, yes, even though there was a little bit of ''Why isn't my post earning anything?'' I never stopped. Firstly, because I did not earn money on any other social media platform. And secondly, most importunity, I could do on steemit what I could not do anywhere else. Here my stories would actually be read, my voice heard. I encouraged. And it did not matter that it would be listened to only by a couple of people. As long as one person found some value in my work it was totally worth for me.

When I look at most of my posts from the first month on the platform, I can honestly say that I did not write a lot of my stories yet. I did not have the courage. Not in the beginning. I also wrote shorter posts. Less. With more mistakes. My journey of writing every day brought my craft improvement and my pointer finger, on my left hand, a pain that never ends. I wear that with pride.

The platform and the people have given me the gift of being able to do what I always wanted to. It used to be subconscious. I did not really know yet that I desired to be a writer. I tried other things. But the second I landed here and started writing what really mattered to me I decided that I would never look back. I would always write no matter what happens. This is how I am going to survive, live and thrive.

I do not know if it is possible for you to understand how much has been given to me through this platform. It presented me with my beginning. It is the one thing that showed me that I did not have to occupy a position I hate or dislike. It showed me that I have control over my own life. That I can be me and I can work for me. It also gave me friends when I lived in a completely new country and knew nobody. People to chat with, listen to, talk to. People making art and writing the most wonderful things. Photography, contests, foooooood!

I want to say thanks to everybody who has stuck around. For all of my followers that are there because they like what I create. For those who have always been there for me. Yes, it is still @alexpmorris and @mehdibca. @Azizbd who inspires me by giving his time and energy to the little ones. The kids. The shapers of our future. They are still the people who I always keep at the back of my head. Somebody, I am thankful for every day.

There are also new ones. Like @kubbyelizabeth who is endlessly kind. @Akrid, I love playing computer games with you. @nikflossus has the best topics to talk about. It is never boring with you. The whole community of Whaleshares, the people that are there most of the time. You are great! I have had a lot of fun Mondays and Thursdays hanging out on the server.

Then there is @yidneth. I adore her music and her voice. Her pure soul! @anomadsoul who will never turn a deserving minnow down. He tries to help the little fish of our ocean and even though he is busy he will say yes to hosting a show for the little guy. @acidyo who is the one big fish I look up to. For he is uncorrupted and, again, tries to help where he can. I look up to you for your humanity, for the nicest of souls, best intentions and willingness to consider others.

I am not a new minnow anymore. I have tasted these water for a good while at this point. I still want to say ''thanks'' to the whole @Curie team and @ocd, though. Those are the people who helped me a lot in the very beginning. I will never forget that. They are the ones that help talented and hardworking minnows receive the recognition they deserve. They are the ones that kept me from being discouraged when that down period most of us have experienced on the platform hit me.

Those are the individuals and groups that have done a lot for me. I am sure that at least part of them have done a lot for the platform and other steemians as well. This is where I stand. And, of course, I want to say ''thank you'' to everybody who has supported me, no matter how big or small. As long as you mean it! You all have done something great for me. My stories, my recipes, my charity posts, and thoughts. Thank you, all! Thank you steemit and my communities!

Have the best day, today, tomorrow and forever,
Linda

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