Dear Steemit,

I'M LITERALLY LAZY. Yes, honestly.

That is perhaps my greatest challenge in joining this platform. I really found it hard to change that character inside me. I only do things that I like at my most convenient time.

But why did I join Steemit and still here at this very moment of time?

Yes, I do love to write and inspire people but to write every day or every other day? I guess not. I only love to write when some ideas come to my mind and only on my spare time. Well, one thing that I realized here in Steemit is to be passionate in all the things that you do.

Witnessing people grow here in this platform and having their lives changed because of Steemit really inspired me a lot to do the same. When I saw my fellow Filipinos like @jassennessaj, @mikekenlytungal, @purepinay etc., really grew here, I got motivated.

When they can do it, why can't I?

What are the things that they did that I can not do?

I guess NONE. And so with this, I got the inspiration to defeat the lazy character inside me and finally made the plan to finally take a step to grow here in this platform.

That's one of the toughest adjustments I did here, I guess. Haha!

It's been 5 months since I joined in this platform but why do I feel like I'm left behind by those who just recently joined?

Well, as I took a step especially after my comeback here in this platform, I've realized that being consistent is very important and stepping out of my comfort zone is next.

They were consistent and I wasn't. But now, I guess it isn't too late to make a resolution to be consistent and finally step out of my comfort zone.

We can make a resolution every single day not just during new year.

P.S. Stepping out of my comfort zone means engaging more to the people around here in Steemit, starting to not just read and upvote their posts but also to leave an inspiring comments like what @surpassinggoogle and @lydon.sipe are doing.

So much more with my personal adjustments, I'd like you to know how Steemit has changed my life too. It may be not a drastic change but I guess they are worth sharing for.

1. I got to overcome my fear in joining contests.

I got to have so many opportunities to showcase my talents and get rewarded. I have joined a lot of contests in the field of arts and literature. Those contests made me humble enough to accept defeat because honestly I didn't win in some.

These are some of my entries on those contests:

For Arts (Digital and Not)

For Literature (some entries won't be posted because of their length)

Philippine Fifty-Word Story Writing Contest, "Munting Kwento ng isang Munting Anghel" "작은 천사의 짧은 이야기" "Brief Story Of a Little Angel" "Breve Historia de un Pequeño ángel"

Pitong buwan ang nakalipas, ako’y sumali ng paligsahan sa paglangoy, ako’y naging kampeon at nakamit ang tropeyong nagbigay sa akin ng buhay. Dalawang buwan na lang at masisilayan ko na ang liwanag ngunit ano eto? Pilit akong hinihila palabas, buto ko’y nagkawatak watak. Mahal kong ina, ba’t ako pinagkaitang mabuhay?

Seven months ago, I joined a swimming contest. I became a champion and earned the trophy that gave me life. Two months to go and I can see the light but what is it? Someone's forcing to pull me out, my bones are now broken into pieces. Dear mother, why have you taken my right to live?

7 개월 전 수영 대회에 참가했습니다. 나는 챔피언이되어 내 인생을 준 트로피를 얻었습니다. 갈 2 개월 그리고 나는 빛을 볼 수 있지만 그것은 무엇입니까? 누군가 나를 잡아 당겨서 뼈가 조각으로 나뉘게됩니다. 친애하는 엄마, 왜 내 목숨을 얻었습니까?

Hace siete meses, me uní a un concurso de natación. Me convertí en campeón y gané el trofeo que me dio vida. Dos meses para ir y puedo ver la luz, pero ¿qué es? Alguien está forzando a sacarme, mis huesos ahora están rotos en pedazos. Querida madre, ¿por qué has tomado mi derecho a vivir?

Philippine Poetry and Song Contest #1, "Pusong Martir"

Pilitin mang itago sa kaban ng kahapon
Pangalan mo pa rin ang siyang binubulong ng puso kong martir
Mga ala-ala na daig pa ang isang 'runner' kung tumakbo sa isipan
Mga pangakong napako ay sila pa ring minimithi

O sinta ko! Bakit ako'y nilisan?
Mga pangarap na tulad mo'y naglaho nang parang bula.
'Sing lalim ng balon at 'di maibsang sakit ang iniwan
Ngunit puso ko'y tila ba baliw, patuloy na umaasa sa wala.

Batid kong ito'y mali pero walang magagawa;
Pangalan mo'y nakaukit na sa puso't kailanma'y 'di na mabubura.
'Di na mabilang ang mga luha na ipinatak sa lupa
Sa katotohanang ang pag-ibig na inaasam ay kailanma'y 'di na makakamtan.

Hayaan mo aking sinta, hanggang sa oras na ako'y sunduin ni kamatayan,
Ikaw at ikaw pa rin, manantiling tapat,
At kailanma'y hinding-hindi ito pagsisisihan
Pagka't dahil sa iyo, ako'y natutong magmahal nang lubusan.

2. Steemit has revived my passion in portrait making, drawing and lettering.

3. Steemit has been a way to unravel my potential in photography. :D

4. Steemit is a great way for me to express my feelings and know some inspiring people.

@surpassinggoogle

@lydon.sipe

@jassennessaj @yanes94

@purepinay

@aribalcristian @josephfugata

@mikekenlytungal @rachis

@donkeypong @chinito

and many more!

5. Most of all, Steemit is really a great help to me financially!

Steemit has saved me financially for a couple of times already! And just right before the 2017 ended, I got free from debt. I was also able to sustain my needs all throughout the days I'm unemployed. I was also able to buy my family and friends some presents last Christmas. All because of Steemit.

I'm so excited for more blessings to come! :D

Thanks a lot, Steemit!

Thank you @surpassinggoogle for this wonderful opportunity to share our stories.

More blessings!

-Marysent