Building Stake, Reaping Rewards

I remember coming into the blockchain and the person who onboarded me made sure to spell out some things which have been helpful in my journey here so far, and some of them touch on the topic in this prompt. The person told me to ensure I don't picture Hive as a get-rich-quick scheme; because I'll be getting rewards for my efforts, but to see it as a place and opportunity to learn, grow and connect. I see why he had to spell that out. Being here, I was able to learn, grow and build connections.

Beyond that, another piece of advice echoed, which is to avoid the temptation or desire to power down. He informed me that I can withdraw from my HBD rewards, if necessary, but never touch my HP, not even at that stage of a newbie at least. Why? It was advice to help me build myself on the blockchain and to gain some “power” which we know the HP does that. Even when I cashed out from some of my posts; the HBD earnings, to at least have a taste of the blockchain’s reward for my effort, this advice remained with me.

The advice helped me gain resilience in building my reputation and growing here on Hive. It wasn't just about cash outs but about having a voice, power and growth. If it were about cashing out only, I guess many of us still around at this time when the currency has fallen, we wouldn't be around. But because growth mattered, we kept showing up even in this period. Funny enough, this is a good time to build one's account, power up and gain that growth on the blockchain. I remember someone saying that.

Nevertheless, it wasn't easy showing up and trying to grow. Let's not ignore the fact that there are needs that some power down and cashing out would solve. But the advice of my onboarder and the desire to grow and build something here kept me from doing that. Does that mean I just grow my account without enjoying some cash out? No. That won't be true because I enjoyed some cash outs especially when the rewards came in part in HBD, which I cashed out sometimes to meet some needs.

I've done some power-ups too. Maybe not too many to say. But one thing that stands out is that I was determined to grow and I wasn't touching my HP. Not just for the sake of that advice I was given but because I too have understood why I shouldn't. So while I enjoy some cash out time to time, which has been a while since I did, I make sure I grow as well. And at the moment, growth through this period seems to be more of a concern to me than before. I know I'll keep growing and maybe I could do better along the line.

This is my response to the IndiaUnited Contest.

Images are AI generated.

Thank you for reading!