Appreciation Is Important

A few days ago, @goldmatters (an awesome steemian) encouraged us to write a positive post about someone on steemit. I sort of did this at my 1,000 followers mark, but I want to do it more often.

So I'm going to do what I always do when there's something I want- I'm going to go after it!

In this case, going after it is just a matter of taking the time to write some thoughts that I've had floating in my head since a month or so ago when I first randomly stumbled upon @whatsup's profile (more accurately, randomly tripped upon... I'm incredibly clumsy).

From the get-go, @whatsup's writing held my attention, which is hard to do because I have the attention of a drunken monkey.

Yes, that's a thing.

Here's a video of monkeys stealing booze on the beach for proof:

The first post I read from her caught my attention because it was funny and I thought she was a talented writer.

I remember thinking "I hope I can write as well as that someday if I practice enough."

So I kept reading. The more I read, the more it confirmed to me that my initial suspicions were correct- she is in fact a really talented writer.

I can read all of her posts the entire way through without getting distracted, and that is the ultimate litmus test to decipher if a post is good or not.

Heck, I can't even typically complete writing one of my OWN posts...

...without getting incredibly distracted.

I think @whatsup is a genuine person who does what she says. What you see with her is what you get with her. And I admire that. She is brave enough to post controversial opinions which I greatly admire.

I'm not really brave enough to do that yet. I keep a lot of my deeper thoughts to myself, even though I know controversy can make some of the best content. I admire people who are willing to put their inner most true thoughts out there like that.

Brave, man.

Best of all, I've noticed that when her potentially controversial opinion DOES spark a little controversy, she has never stooped to attacking anyone's character.

Do you realize how amazing that is? I've seen her defend her opinions in VERY respectful ways (even after her own character was attacked). She never got defensive or attacked back.

The world needs more of that.

It needs more kindness.

Less judgment and harshness. And less name calling, my goodness. I can't believe that amount of name calling and cussing I've seen on steemit, and really social media in general. From people who are supposed to be adults - good examples for children!

From what I've seen, @whatsup sets a good example of how to treat people with respect and decency.

Because she's humble, I don't think she wouldn't toot her own horn and point this out or anything, but I wish that people who were humble enough to NOT brag about themselves would get recognized more.

And so if that's what I want to see more of in the world, then that's what I'm going to give to the world - recognition for people who might otherwise go unnoticed.

In a perfect world (which doesn't exist) all the humble people would be getting praised all the time! In fact, compliments and trophys would be getting handed out like candy!

Compliment for you, and one for you, and one for you!

Unfortunately, there's no such thing as a perfect world and that's not how it typically works.

Unfortunately, a lot of times, the good guy goes unnoticed.

That's how just how it is.

Real life isn't a disney movie where the good guy always wins.

If you think that sucks, then I challenge you to go out there and change it! Give someone the recognition they deserve.

Give them the praise that they would never give themselves because they don't want to brag about anything.

So, @whatsup, if you ever feel discouraged about anything, know that I see you (okay that sounds creepy. I promise I'm not in your bushes).

I see your acts of generosity that you don't announce to the world, but it's hidden there secretly (well, not-so-secretly... as it IS steemit, after all) in your wallet. That shows me that you have no ulterior motive to your giving...

...and that it's done just out of being a genuine person with a genuinely good heart.

These are a few things I admire about you and I just wanted you, and others, to know too.

If I didn't write about you, it's not because I don't appreciate you or recognize you. I can just only do one post at a time!