When I started posting on Steemit, it was all about the votes and cash. After all, that IS why I was here. I have never had a Facebook account and generally do not participate in other social media.

Over time, however, I started to genuinely appreciate the kindness and positive energy of the Steemit community as well as all of the encouragement out there for quality content. I started to care more about my posts and started searching for what I had that I could bring to the table.

This past week, after receiving an encouraging upvote from the @Curie group on a post about art, I decided to stick with the theme and an interesting thing happened. I love writing my posts. It is fun now AND I am learning a tonne and am interested in what I am writing about. The votes have become secondary to my own enjoyment. 

Which I am taking as a sign that I'm doing something right. Hopefully, other people also enjoy them and maybe learn a little bit. 

So your post title  _STEEM = HELP YOUR COMMUNITY = DEVELOP YOURSELF = CREATE VALUE FOR EVERYONE_ caught my eye because that is exactly where I am at this morning. Thanks, @surfyogi!