Hey there, my Steemit friends!

I got on board mid July 2017. Was kinda testing the waters before deciding to hang on!
Well, during the past 2 weeks, I found the Steemit platform as an extremely dignified & interesting space. Being an introvert, I have always shied away from social media and do not exactly like being in the limelight. At Steemit, I found that my views & opinions are valued more than who I am. This goes well with my personality type.

I am aware of the optional verification requirement, though I believe this is more for persons claiming they are someone of repute or some kind of celebrity.

I claim to be neither. A famous Indian author & cartoonist, R K Laxman created the caricature of a ‘Common Man’. For over 50 years, a daily comic strip featuring the common man has graced the front page of ‘The Times of India’ newspaper.

I probably find my identity in the common man. Just a face in the crowd.

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I am just an ordinary guy living in India, leading a simple life or should I say a common man's life. I enjoy DIY projects & am reasonably tech savvy. I strive to keep myself well informed and I do have an opinion about most happenings that affect people across the globe. And I enjoy having a discussion on such issues in a healthy & respectful manner. Steemit seems perfect for this.

Professionally, there is not much to talk about. With just a basic university degree, I have been in & out of jobs trying to find my niche. After several jobs & 50 odd summers, it is not exactly game over, but life at this stage does not hold much promise either – at least in terms of a regular 9 to 5 job. I am still exploring . . . and my foray into Steemit is as much as trying to make some money as my passion for writing & exchange of ideas.

In terms of entertainment, apart from reading, I am a sucker for ‘Super Hero’ movies of the likes of Superman, Spiderman, Iron man etc., Perhaps the need for fantasizing stems from experiencing helplessness at various stages of life much like Clark Kent & Peter Parker - the alter-egos of Superman & Spiderman – I have had my share of sunshine as well as the storms. And have realized that neither lasts. Life goes on and we learn to take it one day at a time.

I believe that Life is not about success or failure. It is about living with conviction & not in doubt. The outcome can be anything.

As our lives are all variegated, our opinions, attitudes & responses to situations are usually based on our experiences in life. Through the highs & lows, a philosophic approach to life has granted me a sense of equipoise & insulated me from bearing grudges or being negative about life or people in general.

I must admit though, that it has been a comedown of sorts from a ‘can take on the world’ attitude in the past to a more somber present ‘take me along, world’ attitude!!
And much like we can control the voting power in steemit, I would like to reduce the power of the word ‘somber’ to around 5%. No negativity intended there. I considered using the word 'sober' but it may have conveyed a different message!

From an incorrigible optimist, perhaps I now see myself as a realist.

Looking forward to a meaningful journey with fellow steemians!