I write notes to myself in many strange locations. 

Lately, I've taken to writing notes to myself on my phone as they occur to me, and then emailing them to myself. I like to think it sticks them somewhere out in the ethers where they can percolate for a bit, until I revisit them.

![1090-Leaf.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmb3c6EoEiu6ACP2TBmczkxTCYv2xDyCza1jgzfZoTdu8L/1090-Leaf.jpg)
*Fall maple leaf in the sun...*

They other day, I sent myself a note while sitting in my therapist's waiting room:

## *Stick By What Your Believe In!*

I don't remember whether it was Gandhi or Carl G. Jung who remarked that just because *most* people are saying or doing something doesn't automatically mean it's the truth *or* the best thing to do.

When I wrote myself that note, I was thinking about my/our experiences, here in Steemlandia. 

It can be difficult — and frustrating — to insist on sticking to your values and ideals, in the face of a large group of people who insist on approaching things from a very different angle than your own.

I came here to *blog,* almost three years ago. And no matter *how much* there are fairly dominant forces and individuals around here who just want to *milk the system,* my interest in being here *remains* a desire to engage in some form of creative writing and expression.

![1090-Flowers.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmdb2zDdsJy6oZMKqTkVgDB62bgkiV6fKcnmwA3ub6wdcm/1090-Flowers.jpg)
*Flowers in the pot on our deck...*

## *I COULD Have Sold Out...*

I could have just thrown in the towel and started creating *"content that sells,"* and mass produced it in such a way as to only worry about *maximizing rewards.*

Some might even argue that it would have been the smart thing to do. But you know what? The whole "*if you can't BEAT 'em, JOIN 'em"* truism just hasn't ever sat very well with me.

Not here, not *anywhere.*

Not trying to come off as *"Holier Than Thou,"* here... and I even talked about this *(briefly)* with my therapist *(no, really!),* namely this idea that my values are more important to me than a handful of change.

![1090-Leaves.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmZNU5a4ay7WLiKMeEt8uzSEnwtinNsq6fdnQtYd4oZrcQ/1090-Leaves.jpg)
*Beech leaves in fall*

## *Are YOUR Personal Values for Sale?*

A lot of people live and die by the Mighty Dollar, or the change in their pockets. I don't. And I say that as someone who has — in essence — been homeless and indigent; sleeping on a public bench.

Thankfully, I don't live like that anymore. I was only *"on the streets"* for a relatively short time, but I have no desire to go back. 

Chasing the Almighty Dollar is not one of my values, but neither are vows of poverty. Somewhere, there is a middle way. And that middle way doesn't involve abandoning what I believe in, just because an opportunity to get ahead by applying some good old-fashioned *greed* presents itself. 

My personal values are *not* for sale!

How about yours? Are you ready to set aside your beliefs when an *"opportunity"* for gain presents itself? Think about it...

Thanks for reading!

*(Another **#creativecoin** creative non-fiction post)*

***Comments, feedback and other interaction is invited and welcomed! Because — after all — SOCIAL content is about interacting, right? Leave a comment-- share your experiences-- be part of the conversation!***

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*(As usual, all text and images by the author, unless otherwise credited. This is original content, created expressly for this platform.)
Created at 190912 02:10 PDT*
***1090***