To My Fellow Writers: I Am Grateful
There is a lot of heartache and chaos happening in the world today, and it all feels very heavy, and at times, hopeless.
That is not what this piece is about.
Although this heartache and chaos is caused by humans, if you look around you, you can see humans doing some wonderful things too.
As I write this, late February 2022, if you look at the news you can be forgiven for feeling like the world is on fire. Perhaps it sort of is. But it doesn’t have to be all that you see.
Recent events on this platform reminded me of the true goodness in humanity, and I have been incredibly heartned to see the camaraderie between writers here.
On a platform where we could easily be competitors, and in many ways we are, when an email went out instructing that anyone with less than 100 followers would lose their status and earning power in the partner program, writers rallied around each other.
I have seen so many articles from all sorts of writers discussing this development, offering support and advice, and simply a place for writers to gather to help each other reach this milestone of 100 followers. Some of these writers had just a few followers, some had a few thousand.
I have been delighted to see so many people who have now reached 100 followers thanks to the kindness and support of their fellow writers. Not only that, but people have also been reading each other’s work, complimenting each other, striking up conversations, and creating connections.
Writers across this platform have been united by this one cause, and they are showing up for each other. It is this sort of thing that reminds of the very best of humanity. People rallying together to help one another out.
While helping each other get to 100 followers is not going to ensure world peace nor provide the answer to poverty, I believe that the positive impact this camaraderie and support has on each writer involved has contributed to bringing a little more joy into this world. I know this because I am one of those people who has felt lifted up by my fellow writers.
As I said, this 100 follower problem is not even a problem in comparison to much of what is happening on this planet today. In fact, it is the very definition of ‘first-world problems’. But I think it’s important to find any example of humanity and kindness in this world and hold on to it. I doubt that I’m alone in feeling that we could all do with a little of that right now.
This piece of writing most likely won’t be the best I ever publish here, but I thought it was important to share my gratitude with my fellow writers.
Thank you for rallying around each other (and me).
Thank you for the outpouring of support, and the connection that has resulted because of it.
Thank you for the wholesome content.
Thank you.
I will finish with a quote that I think is particularly relevant at this time, and that I hope you will keep in mind when you are taking in the current events of this world:
“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping’.” — Fred Rogers
