In a few hours we will be saying goodbye to 2017... Another year has passed with losses and gains, laughter and tears, experiences and moments that have made us a better person. This was the year I joined Steemit and found a lot of remarkable people on this platform.
A greek tradition
I wouldn't leave my last post without a mention of my country. So here is a Greek New Year's tradition. Pomegranates! On the first day of the New Year, the first person that comes to our house is meant to bring us good luck. So, when they come they hold a pomegranate and break at behind the door. The good seeds that pop out of the fruit symbolize the good days the house will have during this year.
Will you honor this tradition?
Some bizareness
A series I have loved is the "Bizarre Natural Phenomena". I wanted to remind you some of my favorite posts:
- Volcanic Lightning AKA Dirty Thunderstorm
- Bioluminescence (The Art Of Creating Light)
- Earth's Bleeding Wound (Antarctica's Blood Falls)
- Blades Of Ice On The Mountains (Penitentes)
- Diamonds In The Sky (Diamond Dust And Optical Illusions)
Here is some weirdness to keep you company until the next episode:
(Image from: commons.wikimedia.org)
Some shots of evaporation ponds over the world. They are used to extract salt from brine or minerals through water evaporation. They are also a good way to filter water residues and pollutants (such as pesticides) to prevent contaminating larger water masses. Aren't they beautiful?
[source: wikipedia.com]
(Image source: flickr.com - Author, Tradlands - License)
(Image source: commons.wikimedia.org through flickr.com - Author, Doc Searls - License)
A warm thank you
I would like to thank all those people that have been with me this year. Apologies for all the names I left out, but you are so many, guys.
The steemSTEM team: @abigail-dantes, @justtryme90, @lemouth, @mobbs, @suesa, @zest.
The @greek-trail team: @dimitrisp, @giosou, @mariandavp, @mariossap, @nikoleondas, @rouketas, @skapaneas, @tikotiko, are only some of them...
The Lord Byron of Steemit, @onceuponatime.
All those whales and dolphins that have supported me from time to time: @janusface, @steemiteducation, @techslut and more...
My artists: @gric, @leoplaw and @reinhard-schmid (Check them out if you haven't done already, along with our @mariandavp).
And of course our one and only... @trumpman!
You have all been wonderful guys! I hope to spend another great year with you! :)
A dose of fiction
- Mum, I feel bad for this year that ends.
- Why is that, dear?
- Because it is over and now a new year will come and we will forget all about it.
- But honey, you know this is not true. Years come and go. It's been that way all the time. New Years fill us with hope and optimism and new plans. We set goals and celebrate a new beginning. We reminisce on what we went through the year that just left and start dreaming about the future. Every year brings us one step closer to wisdom and fulfillment. Some people leave our lives and new ones come to make it better or worse, but even the bad people we meet offer us valuable lessons for our life. You should not feel sad, sweetheart. You should embrace change, feel happy because you got to make it through another year and grow a better person than you were on the last New Year's Eve.
- You mean that the years gone are not forgotten and useless anymore?
- Of course not. They are our memories, our experience, our deeds, good or bad it doesn't matter. The years gone are part of ourselves and we should be proud of them.
- Hmm, I had never thought it that way. You're so wise mum!
- All those years that passed made me wise, darling. And the years to come will make you wise as well.
- Just like you?
- Yes, darling. Just like me.
- Happy New Year, mum!
- Happy New Year, my love!
I would like to wish to all of you a happy New Year! May 2018 be full of joy, health, success, smiles, creativity and of course... love! Enjoy those festive days with your family and friends and never forget the ones in need. Spare some food for your poor neighbors or your neighborhood's stray animals. They will bless you and so will your scales :P
Steem on and keep smiling, people!
See you all next year!!
*All non-credited images by @ruth-girl