Hello! my first post :) How I joined Steemit and the vision that followed

I recently had a conversation with some friends that is all too familiar.  We commiserated on how, as creative, nature loving, physical doers (for example), we really struggle as self employed people to venture into the world of marketing and online promotion. Not to mention a myriad of other administrative tasks we all seem to have little energy for. I for one, have been paying for a domain name for my website for over three years now and seem to have a serious block in working on and orchestrating it's creation. But, like so many millions (billions?) of people these days, I do in fact spend quite a bit of time and energy on facebook!  I love to share images and descriptions of natural and ecological building projects I am involved in and the very occasional psychological/spiritual epiphany, not to mention images and messages from my travels and any other interesting articles I come across (*).  I think it's also important to note here, that from my memory of this familiar conversation about blocks for self promotion through marketing etc..., I think I am right in saying that all of the people I've had this conversation with have been those whose primary motivation in life (through whatever blessings have led them to this outlook), is for the health and well being of all life, or at the very least a dominantly self-less attitude or generous nature.  And that is absolutely Not to say that everyone with such noble, creative or selfless aspirations has a block like I am describing.  Only that I have heard this from many, and share the lack of this valuable tool in being more financially successful and influential.

So we have, it seems, been living in a world economy that promotes selfishness and greed.  Those with moral standings preventing them from making money at any cost or simply aren't interested in that, are typically distanced from the power structures that govern our societies and therefore our greater collective influence on the natural world as well, and very disturbingly, the highly questionable decision making process for the endless cycle of war witnessed by all.  Clearly, some absolutely amazing people have done and are doing great and inspiring things in these regards, but my statement simply points to failings in the current capitalist system in making these wonderful acts of Love the norm...in the marketplace, government and sometimes it feels, in general.  A dear and inspiring friend recently introduced me to Steemit.  I had heard of cryptocurrency only a few months before and my interest was already bubbling away in the background.  But, it all seemed confusing to me.  I watched a promotional talk on OneCoin, read an article or two and read friends posts on the subject with interest.  For me, two blocks immediately came up.  One - I currently don't have any extra money to invest, and two – it looked complicated, but that might have just been because One meant it seemed pointless to invest any more time in learning how to interact with this new currency.  From my friends enthusiasm and innovative idea of a virtual Steem powered train ride (read more about it from 'eco-alex' here on Steemit), I have been compelled to take my first steps in exploring a new social media platform and quite possibly the world of cryptocurrency. Actually, I am having to reign in my excitement and fantasizing about what it could be.  I mean, if what Alex has shared is true, could this be an independent resource for the promotion of my wholehearted wishes to contribute to the new, modern paradigm shift toward Peace and Love for all and living in balance with our natural world??  Ah yes, that is where My mind is but, I mean that's what it appears to have the potential to do.  If I personally am rewarded monetarily when I share, then surely it encourages me to share more.  A resource that actually gives me energy (steem) to write more, to document more, to transform the time I spend on social media into time I am spending investing in the apparent transformation of the marketplace and actually investing in people that share things I deem to be for the good of all.  Then, this is the beginning of a new innovation in the conversion of our collective energies into the common denominator of Love. Because I truly believe that is human nature.  And we simply have yet to create a system where this common wish of “live and let live”, “do unto thy neighbour as you would have done unto yourself”, and what all the other spiritual teachings of religions the world over preach at their heart, which is LOVE,  a system that has a greater and relentless capacity to empower these dominant beliefs and wishes.  I know that's A lot to ask of a single new social media/cryptocurrency platform, but that is the spark I have glimpsed.  May it be so. I look forward to reading and sharing with you all here and the world over. 

May all beings be Happy, Peaceful and Liberated

With all my heart,
Jonathan Kalviac

Sylvan Homes - owner
Low Carbon Trust – teacher/director
Future Roots – general bodger and director