Tired? Unmotivated? Discouraged? Disappointed?

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I have been on steemit 57 days right now to be exact.. Weeks have passed, and i was not in myself, i wasn't able to write more articles for the past few days. I felt exhausted. Though i still keep my eye on steemit, reading posts from different steemians, trying to cope new thoughts and ideas of what should i post here. I have to be honest that I felt like being left behind by my fellow minnows who just started their journey here on steemit, and they got more achievements than i did. Their post have been recognized by respected whales and even got higher reputations than mine. I was dumb. I think i'm not really on myself right now. Why am i comparing myself to others right now? I was asking myself.

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I find myself sinking in a cold water.

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My first month on steemit has brought me so much greatness. I was able to met different people here on steemit. Many people have recognized and appreciated my works and the articles i have written. I used to post atleast 3-4 times a week. But now i barely make one.
So far in my experience on steemit, I joined art contests and even got the 3rd place twice.
my 1st entry for the 1st contest i joined: featuring @cheetah
You can click here to see the full content of my entry of the 1st art contest i joined in steemit which is created by sir @bien.

At first i have 2nd thoughts on joining this because it took a long time since i haven't draw or make any artworks and because i don't have enough materials. But because of my intuition that it'll bring something good, i bought myself a pencil and started creating my entry. I put all my efforts at making my first entry. But i didn't expect anything. It's not my intention to really win this contest, i just wanted to give it a try and prove myself that i can still do it. And then boom! After few hours of posting it i got some compliments which i didn't thought that they will even notice my work.

I even got the chance to be discovered by @ocd team and has given the opportunity to be featured by my ohana @steemitfamilyph. And I won the third place, the thing which made me so overwhelmed as i never expected it would even happen to me.

Here's the link of the results

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I was feeling great about myself that time. I was thinking that if will continue to do this i might find my success here on steemit. . So i decided to join the contest made by sir @bien again for the second time.

If you want to see the full content of my 2nd entry you can click Here.

In my second entry, i posted it in the last minute of the submission for entries because at that time i was busy in school works and i find a hard time making my entry ahead. Also, the theme for the contest should include more colors and i don't have any coloring materials. For the second time i have my second thoughts of joining because there are many entries that were so amazing and everyone deserves to win. I don't know what came to my mind, but i bought a crayon with 8 different colors, a pencil and borrowed a marker from my classmate. Then i started making my 2nd entry.

I never thought i could make it. I don't even have a good camera for taking some documentations,
because my phone is broken. totally broke. lol

It was given to me by my sister last year because she bought a new phone and gave her old one to me.. PS: I was so grateful ^_^ i never bought a phone for myself.. lol one day i will.

one of my classmate took some photos of me while making an entry. So i used those photos as in my entries. They were cheering me. It made me so tense that moment. Then i finished it 30 mins before the deadline of submission. I immediately went on the internet cafe to make a post and submit it as my entry and luckily i made it in the last minute. I wasn't expecting so much about it. I just think that i just made it for fun. Then i was stunned when one morning my friend told me that i won the 3rd place again. I thought it was just a joke, But when i check the results on steemit, I was like, What? how come? hahaha To be honest i never really expect it.

Here's the link of the results

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These things has brought me to unleashing my potential as an artist. It brought me higher reputation and rewards. I got my cash-out last Valentines Day, and I was able to treat myself and my family.
I bought myself some art materials as i was inspired to make more artworks.

I bought 1 sketchbook and colored pencils. I was thinking to do some painting but i find it costly. So i decided to buy it next time. :)

I was able to spent the valentine's day with my bf and my family.
We also bought a cake for my family as a Valentine gift.

Thanks to steemit i was able to do these things. :)

Because i already have my art materials. I joined another contest which is an Anime Drawing contest.
This is my entry for the 3rd contest i joined in steemit.

Finally i was able to use my colored pencils. This is My First time using colored pencils in drawing. :)

There are plenty of amazing entries there. I did not win at this contest but i'm still grateful to all people who appreciated it. :) You can click Here to see the full content of my entry.

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Looking back at these achievements made me pause and ask myself, "When did i ever stop trying?". I went on my blog and scroll over to my very first post. How could i ever compare myself to anyone?
I noticed that i frequently write motivational articles and posted it on my blog for the past month.

Some of these are:

• UNTALENTED...Amazing Adjustments That Have Happened To My Life Since I Found Steemit
• Humility is the gateway into the grace and the favor of God
• Win without boasting. Lose without Excuse.
• STEEMIT ECE BLOGGERS at Cebu Technological University
• A Goal Without A Plan Is Just A Wish
• My 1st Month on Steemit: Over coming the starting point
• Money Is NOT the Root Of All Kinds Of Evil

One of my main objectives here is to motivate and encourage more people on steemit to Never Stop Trying, especially to those minnows like me who were just starting their journey here on steemit.

But now it seemed like it is Me who's having a hard time on "keep trying" for the past few days.
I stopped joining contests. I barely make valuable blogs. I make a post once or twice a week. I was drained and at the same time unmotivated. I wanted to write new articles but i don't have enough strength to put my thoughts into words. I got home so late and before i go to bed i check on steemit and read some posts from my fellow steemians. Though i was feeling so left behind by other minnows i am truly happy for them. I was just feeling upset about myself lately because i was able to compare myself to others.

FOCUS ON YOURSELF

Now that i have the courage to speak up what's on my mind, As i was writing this i realized how fast time goes by. I realized that life is not so unfair, you know. There is always time for me and for other people. There is always a time for each and everyone of us. It's not all the time we are always at the top, There's always a time for us to be in our lowest peak. Because in this world, There's always someone who can be better than us just around the corner. And we can do nothing about it because it always happens. Just keep focus on yourself and everything else follows.
It's not always about how you compete with others to win, It's about how you are able to manage in developing yourself growth in every competition.

It's either You'll Win Or You'll Learn.

There are no losers in this journey. We are all striving for our success.

Never Compare yourself with others

One mistake i have made is to compare myself with others. It doesn't mean that i was being envy about their achievements, as a matter of fact i'm happy and proud of them. Comparing myself is putting myself a pressure which cause me to get sunk deeper on the thoughts of being left behind, and so i was drained.
Now i have come to realize that it's not them who causes me to become apathetic, It was all me. It was me who keeps on thinking less of myself. I apologize to myself for being inconsiderate.
I remembered the lines of one of my favorite poem way back when i was in High school. It was entitled "Desiderata" by Max Ehrmann. One of the greatest poem i've known.

_"Desiderata
Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy. "_
-by Max Ehrmann

source: Desiderata

As i remembered these lines, It really hits me hard as i reflect every phrases in the line. It made my heart shivers and touches my soul at the moment i read it again. It reminds me to become more of myself and appreciate What God has given me. It reminds me to keep interested in my goals and keep track on my plans of achieving it.
I should post this at the wall of my room to remind me everyday before going to sleep and waking up in the morning. :)

NEVER STOP TRYING

As i have always say, "Never Stop Trying". Develop that "Whale" inside you. Never stop doing things which leads you closer to tour success. There are times that you'll feel tired and giving up but always go back to your main path and focus on your way. Always remember the reasons of why are you still holding on to this, remember the goals that you must achieve. There are days that you'll feel less motivated and discouraged but always keep on track. It's all the mind. Always know that too shall pass.
Everyday is a new opportunity to give ourselves a chance to become the Best Version of ourselves.

Image Source

I am not posting this for self benefit, I am posting this because i know out of thousands or millions of minnows in steemit today, there is someone out there who felt the same way that i do. I wanted to speak in behalf of my fellow minnows who are experiencing a downfall situation and remind them to always BE YOURSELFand keep on steeming because OUR VOICE IS WORTH SOMETHING.

BE HEARD!

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I just want to extend my deepest gratitude to the people behind steemit community who keeps on inspiring steemians, minnow like me:
To sir @bien, Thank you so much for creating opportunities and motivating people to do their best in every contest that you made. I sincerely want to give thanks for letting me join and win. Indeed, it was a great help for me to bring back my passion in doing arts. :)
To sir @tpkidkai who gives me the opportunity to become a part of the ohana @steemitfamily and the opportunity to join the promo-mentors which i was able to meet and get along with other steemians.
To @futurethinker(who never likes to be called "sir") and to other mentors thank you because I was able to learn more stuffs about steemit and how to create a valuable content.
To sir @maverickinvictus who keeps on supporting me and my ohana @steemitfamilyph. Thank you for always reminding me that i can make it. Your words have been my inspiration to keep holding on.

To sir @surpassinggoogle Thank you so much for ever supporting my fellow steemians and especially us filipinos. Thank you for always keeping us closer to your heart. Its always something that we should owe to you. Giving thanks was never enough to repay the kindness you have shown to us.
To my colleagues whom i started my journey with, @ivancuyag @eceninzz @febradaytamarra @dapmonylia @daisydelta @s3carlo @realnairda @serconmaiso @egbertcabahug @joveanz @yjovannie and many more, Thanks for supporting always. Let us continue to support each other and keep steeming together. Let us brace ourselves as we continue to grow and face our own journey here in steemit community.
To my one and only sister #gerra and my friend @dapmonylia thank you for letting me took photos using your phones. And thank you to my love @yjovannie for also letting me use your digicam for taking pictures for my blogs and also for taking pictures of me. ^_^ I swear i'll buy my own someday. lol i owe you one. hahaha

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I will end my post here, thank you so much for your time. I really appreciate it. :)

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We all know that Sir Terry @surpassinggoogle has been very kind and supportive especially to our kababayans. It's our time to give back all the goodness he us brought to us, Let us support Him by voting "steemgigs" as a witness at https://steemit.com/~witnesses.

just type "steemgigs" at the first text box you can see and click vote.

Otherwise, if you want him to vote for witnesses on your behalf, you can set him as your proxy.

just type "surpassinggoogle" at the second textbox and Click Set Proxy.

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