https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Wcab37CdSw&t=3s

## It's been a crazy week since @curie came by and changed my life a little bit with it's curation trail.
Someone saw some potential in my work and put their money where their mouth is. An occurrence way too rare in the old world, but here in the new world of Steemit, pretty dang common. That's what I really love about this place. And that why I just had to pass on some of what I got to encourage other people to keep on trying to make this a better community.

*It's not much, but it's something.* **Six total gifts of encouragement.** Six rewards for being a productive community building member who creates and promotes good content. One gift of 5 SBD, five gifts of 1 SBD. If you want to see the original post, it's **[Giving back to my fellow minnows](https://steemit.com/contest/@mikesthoughts/giving-back-to-my-fellow-minnows) VIDEO ABOVE**. All the details are there. I had to shift a couple things, mainly raising the eligible REP a bit.

### I want to thank these people for nominating those they thought should receive this bit of SBD encouragement for their efforts. All these people are amazing members themselves :)

@enginewitty, @chiama, @cryptosteven, @peakreal1, @archeothot, @jrvacation, @simplemrakpor, @zemex, @masterpiz, @platosgroove, @sanmi, @old-guy-photos, @eastmael, @fireawaymarmot, @ydal, @hazem91

**So, having taken a look through all the nominations and doing a bunch of considering** I decided on who I wanted to award the SBD to. Things that I paid attention to were what kind of content did they produce. Was it thoughtful, useful, did it add anything to the community... Did they seem active on the platform with regular posts, comments, upvoting... Did I see the potential for more...that X factor that made me want to follow them and wonder what was next? A giant mixing pot of considerations.

### I really wish I could give more to everyone, or to more people, and it was a really tough decision for the top spot as I wanted to award it to several of you but, this time only one.

## 5SBD gift
@platosgroove
This guy has been everywhere. Or at least many of the places I frequent. Whenever I scroll by his comments they're thoughtful, funny, interesting, conversational. His posts, a great combination of music, thoughts, collaborations and writings that are well flavored with his friendly personality. His feed is filled with not only his work, but the people he likes, projects for the community, and things he thinks might be useful to those who follow him. He is the kind of Steemer I want to be more like. :)

**And in no particular order**

## 1SBD gift
@westley-nash
Another amazing writer with a strong love of the community. Browse his feed and you'll walk away feeling a little bit better, stronger, and ready for the things life throws at us. Whether it's just text, spiced with graphics, or one of his amazing audio performances, I do love dropping by for all of his work. Since his joining up he's thrown up insightful comments like rice at a wedding, but in a really good smile inducing way. Like when the rice doesn't get stuck in your hair and stuff...
@sweetscience
Since running across this guys feed thanks to his nomination, I've enjoyed his thoughtful walks through his experiences, projects, and interest. With a great combination of words you'll find yourself scrolling through page after page of thoughtful photos that bring everything to life. A regular poster and solid resteemer there's always something new and interesting on his feed.
@alale
This is a nomination I probably would never have found myself. A lovely mother of four in Nigeria, I was enchanted by her writings. Though few and far between they struck me with a certain energy. I just have this feeling that with some encouragement she could become a very interesting member with a lot to say. Poems, random thoughts, stories, photos, it's a window into her life.
@celineaugustinee
Honestly, yet another writer I would never have run across, but I'm glad I did thank's to her nomination. Originally I was a little put off by her writings. But, the more I read the more I saw a strong point of view that had a lot to say and was trying hard to say it well. There's this deep energy I feel when going through her posts, raw and vivid. Her views on women, self respect, and human interactions give me a new perspective on my own life.
@ilhuna
This lovely writer from Venezuela intrigued me with her posts. Although many of them were in Spanish, and I haven't spoken Spanish since high school, I got this fresh creative vibe from how the posts were put together. As though a thought had taken form as a seed and this post was the flower that bloomed. A wild assortment of creativity, I had a blast going through the multimedia frenzy and trying to figure out why there were so many werewolves and vampires in one article I read.

## Wow....so, that was a bit crazy for me.
So, I apologize if there seems like any rough edges. I just want help others feel encouraged and hope these small gifts from out of nowhere will at least get them to smile a little bit and realize that there are those out there who want to help :) New time will be better.

Together we can make this a better world!
Woohoo for cornball sentiments!
But...it's true :)

![Screen Shot 2018-02-22 at 5.24.52 PM.png](https://steemitimages.com/DQmdWPVsWHohyt1GXHdQBiRUZJh4CUThYUtbyAtBMkDzsPX/Screen%20Shot%202018-02-22%20at%205.24.52%20PM.png)
<center> **See, it happened ;)** </center>

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https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/363691959812096011/397616562896633857/thealliance_banner_steemitcomics.png
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