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Today was a monumental day, one that brings a very interesting chapter of my life to a close. I transferred the last of my large power-downs out of the Steemit wallet to an exchange, waited the customary three seconds for the transaction to happen (the speed of which still impresses me), then hit “sell”. 

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Staring at the new estimated account value of exactly $18.41 in my Steemit wallet made me reminisce about my years on Steemit, the joys and frustrations and all the ways in which it changed me. Cashing out that last large powerdown felt like a graduation of sorts. This kind of closure can be a wonderfully satisfying thing and it can also leave you feeling a little melancholy as well. 

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<center> *Memories of the first SteemFest in Amsterdam (2016)* </center>

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We all had so many hopes and dreams for Steemit. We thought it would disrupt mainstream social media and change the world. We were naive in ways we didn’t yet understand. Despite missing that larger goal it still had a huge impact on many of us. 

## A Second Chance ##
Thankfully, due to a group of very intelligent and well-intentioned people, we’ve been given a second chance. Hive. A platform to share our content, connect, and thrive. I’m very grateful for it and am looking forward to being an active participant in the evolution of Hive in the years to come. 

We can all do our parts to ensure Hive is a success. Recruitment drives, quality content creation, contests, merchandise, media exposure...the only limit is our imaginations. 

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To mark the occasion I’m considering having my [Steemit ring](https://steemit.com/story/@ericvancewalton/ringing-in-the-new-year-with-something-shiny)  melted down and a Hive one made from the silver. 

As the years go by we begin to realize that good-byes are an integral part of life. This is the final day of my 48th trip around the sun.  It's truly the end of an era for but I've never been more excited about what's on the horizon. I'm equally as excited to share it with all of you over this next year. 

I hope you're all having a great week! 

With gratitude, 

*Eric Vance Walton* 


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*I am an American novelist, poet, traveler, and crypto-enthusiast. If you’ve enjoyed my work please sign up for my author newsletter at [my website.](http://www.ericvancewalton.net) Newsletter subscribers will receive exclusive updates and special offers and your information will never be sold or shared. 

[Alarm Clock Dawn](https://www.amazon.com/Alarm-Clock-Dawn-Vance-Walton/dp/150851335X), one of the first full length novels published on the blockchain, and the book that started it all for me can be found [HERE](https://www.amazon.com/Alarm-Clock-Dawn-Vance-Walton/dp/150851335X). Or [Click Here](https://steemit.com/steemit/@dreemit/table-of-contents-for-the-first-novel-ever-published-on-the-blockchain-alarm-clock-dawn-by-eric-vance-walton-if-you-have-yet-to) to read it for free on the Steemit blockchain

My book on meditation, [The Perfect Pause,](https://www.amazon.com/Perfect-Pause-Meditating-Your-Ultimate/dp/154708295X/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8) is priced at $12.99 (paperback) and $4.99 (eBook). Buy the paperback and receive the eBook for free!
 
 
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