With the first week of 2018 in the books, one thing seems pretty obvious to all of us here on Steemit - we're growing!

That's great news for authors, musicians, artists and creatives that share & create content here on Steemit. So many of us are seeing the recent rise in value benefit the community and just about anyone that isn't abusing this platform is benefitting. However, that is not to say there are no people who are benefitting and who are abusing the platform. I consider that to be normal 'growing pains' of success - people tend to flock to success and Steemit's recent rise in value has drawn a lot of attention.

Not All Attention Is Good

Just as success attracts the good people, it also attracts the opposite kind of people - the bad. People who do not have any regard for anyone else and treat the world as if it owes them something. Well, that sort of thinking usually comes with a FREE reality-check at some point.

Like Attracts Like Too

As with anything in nature, there is a balance. We have a ton of creative people here on this platform and more on the way. There are many of us that create and express ourselves on this platform and I think it is wise to consider how we will go about attracting quality (hint: we must first offer quality!).

We ALL Hold the Weight

If you have STEEM POWER, in any capacity, you have "vests" - essentially "vested interest". Knowing that might alter how you perceive this platform. Once you have a balance beyond zero ($0.001) you begin to accumulate VESTS (aka your vested interest in Steemit). It does matter how you use Steemit because you actually have an investment. We trade our time (sharing our content) and we earn / accumulate STEEM POWER.

That means if you have a Steemit account that has a non-zero balance = YOU are invested = You're an Investor

to use, give, or devote (time, talent, etc.), as for a purpose or to achieve something source

When you look at it from that perspective, you will see that you have responsibilities to uphold. I'm not saying we all need to become thought-police and harass one another. What I am trying to suggest is that each of us sets the bar here. We either set it so low anyone can stumble over it OR we push ourselves to set the bar a little higher.

We Don't Even Need Money to Become an Investor in Steemit!

BE THANKFUL! Especially when you consider that here in the U.S. you can't even start a trading/investment or savings account with under $500 USD!

Truth! When I looked into setting up bank accounts for my children, banks were not shy to express there was a minimum amount you can start with. After getting into investing and trading in my mid-20s (not so long ago) I soon realized you can't start a trading account, on virtually any known exchange, with under $500. Not to forget they charge $10 to $15 per trade with minimums that gobble that $500 right up.

And...HOW MUCH is a trade on the internal exchange here on Steemit? FREE

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Lightening fast too if you haven't noticed. This blockchain had one hell of a stress test to start 2018, in a recent post of mine you can see the chart volume and it's pretty intense! So many transactions have taken place on this blockchain in 2018 already. We're growing...

Every Time YOU AND I Vote, Resteem, Comment, Post on this platform - the bar is in our hands.

Are you aiming for quantity or quality? I ask because it not only impacts YOUR investment, but it also impacts mine and everyone else who has an account balance beyond zero. Think about it. If we are not careful, we undermine the value of this entire system. If you think taking away more value than you contribute is a cash-cow that'll last forever - think again. Treat your actions here as if they are immediately impacting your investment because they are.

You're an investor. Invest Wisely.

Express yourself, be free, make peace wherever possible and add value wherever you go.

Dream it & Steem it