2500 Followers and 5500 posts!!! Wow! October 15 is my 4 month Steemiversary. My, what a ride it’s been! I have learned so much from so many from all over the world! And I learned that you guys think I am a worthy teacher after being crowned the Queen of How To by the community! Thank you again @papa-pepper ~ but you’re still the King in my book ;) ![steemit is hope.png](https://steemitimages.com/DQmRGi4edF9ii7AMH1BfnJ1B3R6SxXKLc8LdiwDgrTCfjZV/steemit%20is%20hope.png) I first joined with high financial rewards being dangled like shiny objects on a Christmas tree from the Trending page. Seeing people like @ teamsteem @kingscrown and @sweetsssj make great money *just by blogging* was right up my alley! And quite frankly too much to resist! I have been writing for some time now, and have studied and implemented countless SEO, marketing and keyword tactics. I’m funny and entertaining, I *got* this, I thought, and anxiously awaited my approval while perusing the creative geniuses who have laid a beautiful and strong Steemit foundation. I soon found out it’s not that easy! You don’t just come to Steemit and post and make $! You have to put in the time and be patient. You have to engage with the community and be consistent. You have to build your Steemit. *If you build it, they will come* Steemit saved my life. I was struggling something fierce. ![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmWPznVj9iPrm1Vn5tAKU336n3YEsZ9WmpH4QLV1jYMjAN/image.png) Being a single mother in America is hard. Especially when a man who doesn’t deserve to be called a dad skips the country to avoid paying child support. And even more difficult when you are disabled from permanent injuries sustained from surviving a kidnapping and attempted murder. There is a general belief that there is assistance for moms like me. Sure, there is a bit, but the resources have been exhausted by the million other single moms who’s ex’s are not paying support that came before me. I am thankful every day that I have been blessed with the talent to weave words together and can actually make a few bucks doing so. Without writing, we would not have survived. Sure, we are still struggling, we go without many things and I juggle which bills to pay each month, and there is the ever constant looming threat of not being able to afford rent, but we manage to at least keep a roof over our heads each month and don’t have to live without water or electricity *too* many days of the year. Just before I stumbled upon Steemit, I was overwhelmed and frankly, done. I had no one to turn to and the stress of our situation had worn through me. And my kids didn’t understand why they had to duct tape their shoes when prior to the Mr leaving they always had several pairs of well constructed and well fitting shoes to choose from. They had gaming platforms and we did fun stuff all the time. Kids can’t understand such things on a deeper level. They just feel the unfairness of it all. They are powerless to what is happening in their world. The stress of not having anything suddenly and seeing that look in your children’s eyes… I was done. I couldn’t take it anymore. I was broken. ![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmZf18wgjSXX4NkJ4iCHDM83t95zyYQVc59rvzjwYwrwdz/image.png) Steemit saved my life. I found something to strive for each day. I found a new love and something I can work toward in cryptocurrencies. I developed and nurture amazing relationships with awesome people I call friends here every day. I cherish these relationships, they are true and they are real. It’s not just about the Steeming- it’s about building a support network. Building your own little community within the Steemit World. I have people who truly care about me here, and I them. They wonder about me when I don’t post for a day or two. They ask about me and how my day is. I have people I truly care about who I met on Steemit! Steemit gave me hope. I have not encountered such a genuinely caring community such as what we have in Steemit. The energy is so great that you can feel it shining onto you through the computer screen! ![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmNnAvV2XhYP8YvZW22XaqzU5BGCnu2BbsSiQr5Ro3LdWt/image.png) Now that’s big. That’s pretty powerful stuff. We are transcending the anonymity of the internet. We Steemians are meeting each other in the real world. We are forming personal relationships outside of Steemit through our shared goals and drive. We are actively recruiting others, not because we get a referral bonus but because we believe in the power of the blockchain. Because we see Steemit is the future. Because of the support and encouragement we freely share and receive from the community! We must shout it from the rooftops! We tell everyone about it, why? It’s just like when you are in love with someone- you are compelled to share it with the world! You want *everyone* to feel as good as you do! You want everyone to experience this wonderful community that wants you to succeed! I treasure you my Steemitzens. I am humbly thankful that I have you. And I strive to give you the best of me each day. It’s been a spectacular 4 months, and I look forward to another 4 months. I will learn even more, get involved in more exciting ventures, and meet many more amazing individuals from all different mindsets and cultures. All here to share in the wonderful community that is Steemit. Thank you all for making Steemit the truly amazing place it is. Steemit is each one of us. Let’s rock this baby into the future! Steemit is the future, and the possibilities are endless. Thank you for being you. I’m lucky to have you. ![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmfQR1My5YYAoYxfZNvT8D5YQNScyNFs4WVZiteMh295SC/image.png) An Original by ![@arbitrarykitten.gif](https://steemitimages.com/DQmPBdpzeimu9w9LqkGnJZGxFzHtmCqkVMefEisMumjr5MQ/%40arbitrarykitten.gif) ![shaded line.jpeg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmcbDoy2Q9G4h1K1rrCWRtoX95EnajnWykz8uj54ydAT96/shaded%20line.jpeg) Images via Pixabay and Creative Commons **I appreciate your support :)** **With Love and Light and Good Mojo to my Tribe!** ![ufr.gif](https://steemitimages.com/DQmY51imq4fuAUAtgT7hxPhpWQV193EmWgSVw9YbMXV5Dxu/ufr.gif)

In case you missed these stellar posts by @ArbitraryKitten :)

Join The Steemit Community #ManifestChallenge! [Intro](https://steemit.com/manifesting/@arbitrarykitten/steemit-join-me-in-a-community-experiment), [Day 1](https://steemit.com/manifestchallenge/@arbitrarykitten/steemit-manifestchallenge-day-1-how-to-get-what-you-want), [Day 2](https://steemit.com/manifestchallenge/@arbitrarykitten/day-2-dances-with-a-pen), [Day 3 ](https://steemit.com/manifestchallenge/@arbitrarykitten/create-the-life-you-want-join-steemits-manifestchallenge) ~ [Open a New Tab, Make Extra Money While Steeming!](https://steemit.com/money/@arbitrarykitten/open-a-new-tab-and-make-extra-money-5-more-ways) ~ [Friday the 13th Intruder- a True Story](https://steemit.com/horror/@arbitrarykitten/the-friday-the-13th-intruder-conjecture-a-true-story) ~ [7 Health Benefits of Honey](https://steemit.com/health/@arbitrarykitten/7-amazing-health-benefits-of-honey) ~ [Use Raw Honey to Cure Your Allergies](https://steemit.com/food/@arbitrarykitten/use-raw-honey-to-cure-your-allergies) ~ [Winner of the Name My Radio Show Contest!](https://steemit.com/mspwaves/@arbitrarykitten/and-the-winner-of-name-my-radio-show-is) ~ [90% of Our Problems are Caused by This](https://steemit.com/motivation/@arbitrarykitten/90-of-the-worlds-problems-are-caused-by) ~ [My Cat Biting Her Nails!](https://steemit.com/funny/@arbitrarykitten/cat-biting-her-nails) ~ [No More Excuses! Face Your Monster](https://steemit.com/life/@arbitrarykitten/no-more-excuses-face-your-monster) ~ [How to Tell if a Snake is Poisonous](https://steemit.com/life/@arbitrarykitten/how-to-tell-venomous-from-non-venomous-snakes) ~ [I am so mad](https://steemit.com/writing/@arbitrarykitten/i-am-so-mad) ~ [4 Easy Ways to Learn Anything Fast](https://steemit.com/steemiteducation/@arbitrarykitten/4-easy-ways-to-learn-anything-fast) ❤ If you find this post past the 7 day reward period, please consider upvoting one of my recent posts in appreciation. ![buttons upvote resteem.gif](https://steemitimages.com/DQmYfKYGX2M8Qc8nNUi6TqUzHKoeLmafZ6PVBMjt7wjXe5R/buttons%20upvote%20resteem.gif)