The Eye of the Storm

by @d-pend ___ ![Screen Shot 2020-03-05 at 9.17.30 PM.jpeg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmbCVyXamG99mf3rK6R39grKKsLSNJWgKG5gK5H5hM9MA4/Screen%20Shot%202020-03-05%20at%209.17.30%20PM.jpeg) ___

Introductory Note

In the past several days I have taken a break from my usual creative activities and put my efforts towards doing what I can to inform myself of current developments on Steem. Now that we are at a stalemate of sorts and I have done just about all that's possible given my limited means — including powering up over 1000 STEEM to support the overturning of Sun's sock-puppet centralized-exchange-voted witnesses and taking to Twitter to spread awareness — it may be as good a time as any to reflect a bit on why I value the Steem community and continue to be involved despite misgivings regarding the behavior of many individuals.

If you are not abreast of current developments, a good article to read as of the time of writing this is @ura-soul's most recent post. You can also listen to the most recent conversation between witnesses and Tron representative Roy. Keep in mind if you do not have time to catch up on everything you can always proxy your witness votes to @d-pend as I am voting for whatever actual human witness is most likely to pass Sun's sock-puppet accounts in the short-term.

[Note — from my perspective the most important thing at present is the continued functionality and integrity of the blockchain. It is likely that Sun's team is running his pseudo-witnesses all on the same server which is a major risk. What's more, I do not believe they have coders familiar enough with the mechanics of STEEM to not crash the chain entirely by instituting poorly-written and hastily-executed changes via a potential fork. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance to put differences aside at this juncture and re-assess witness choices once there is a more stable situation. See the list of witnesses I recommend voting at the bottom of this article.]

___ ![Screen Shot 2020-03-05 at 9.37.31 PM 2.jpeg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmRDFVXtzjfgGVpvMXCQyNnXzk89Mu4sm65Hc8H6ACPL9t/Screen%20Shot%202020-03-05%20at%209.37.31%20PM%202.jpeg) . ........... .................. ........... . ![Screen Shot 2020-03-05 at 9.37.31 PM 3.jpeg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQme2qLGViBHH8yZ8EXHD1J7iYtT7yMGMbu4jdfkehrPZh2/Screen%20Shot%202020-03-05%20at%209.37.31%20PM%203.jpeg) ___

Steem Community Strength

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While the events of the past few days have been difficult and chaotic, it has also been heartening to see a display of the solidarity of the core community. One thing I have always enjoyed about posting here is that I am liable to meet and discuss with people holding widely varying viewpoints who, nonetheless, are able to share a passion for the potentials of blockchain technology in ushering in a new era of greater abundance for humankind. Many here hold the underlying assumption that human creative energy and attention are inherently valuable and need to be monetarily rewarded as such as long as we have a currency system — in order for all humans to come into a greater realization of their value to the whole.

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Currency and Communication

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At its core, this is not about money per se — but speech, expression; participation in the continuing evolution of our species. While the average standard of living on the planet has increased over the centuries, there is a massive percentage of wealth locked up in the coffers of a tiny number of so-called "elites." They are, of course, simply human beings with the same concomitant limitations we all share. Thus, they find themselves unequal to the task of using their vast wealth to efficiently steer the course of developing human society. The blame cannot be laid on them alone: they need help. It is each individual's responsibility to realize their inner greatness and take action on that knowledge. However, the creation of a mechanism that allows all voices to be heard and valued — what STEEM was originally supposed to embody — could greatly accelerate our shared learning as a species.

In a collective macro-organism such as homo sapiens, it is interchange of energy, currency — constant communication — feeling together, compassion — that fuels and guides our shared path forward. Therefore it is worth looking at places where stagnation and hoarding of resources motivated by an atavistic survival fear are ruling the hearts and minds of "those who have," even when their survival needs are already met many, many times over. To progress, it is necessary to refrain from reverting to the dualistic blame-game of perpetrator and victim.

First, those perceived as enemies must be re-humanized and be seen to be equal to ourselves — neither inferior nor superior. Eventually, it must be realized that no entity is an enemy, but only a fellow adventurer-in-consciousness struggling towards the light of understanding the purpose of their existence and taking an unique route towards that end. We are soul-scientists creating hypotheses about which actions will cause us the greatest fulfillment, then acting these experiments out on the world stage in order to ascertain their effectiveness. Inevitably we stumble, inevitably we fail, lacking omniscience. Yet the "dynamic human spirit that refuses to submit" arises again and again, full of exuberance and resolve, over and over, to refine our way of being in the world.

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What has lasting value?

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It may be worth visualizing yourself at the time of your physical death and asking the question — Given the manner in which I live now, given that which I pursue and value, will I be satisfied on my deathbed that I have done everything I came to do? Really visualize it. Who is around you as you are passing, where are you and what are you thinking and feeling? What do you spend your last few moments saying or doing?

When doing this exercise — for me, it quickly becomes clear that bickering, clamoring for a slightly bigger piece of the pie, manically acquiring more and more physical resources to bolster bodily security, egoically asserting one's superiority over others, needing to be "righteous", conquering so-called "enemies" etc.. — in short, most of the concerns of the undisciplined animal mind — would have basically zero importance at the time of departure from this realm. I would be more likely to be abiding in a state of awe, wonder, gratitude for the unfathomable fact that "I exist" — and be in simple appreciation for this fact.

In fact, it is due to our "beingness" that anything we do or have has any value whatsoever. People want to be in our presence not because of what we have or do but because of what we are and are becoming. There is a penetrating clarity available in focusing on essence rather than the scintillating, ever-changing melodrama of content that allows us to have true power despite what is occurring. All great women and men learn to tap into this "infinity-point" of stillness and are able to dwell in the eye of the storm while the mob rages and throbs directionless. This inner effulgence is present even in the midst of the most voracious typhoon; it is present on the desolation of the battlefield; it is there in the bleakness of the deepest despair.

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Conclusion

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A broad perspective and the ability to hold the big picture always clearly in view stems from the knowledge that we are untouched by evanescent circumstance. The most practical thing any of us can do is nurture this ability to remain calm and relatively unaffected by news that is perceived as negative. We can then maintain a clear mind and make wiser decisions than if we were motivated by survivalistic fear. I truly hope that these reflections are a catalyst for a feeling of inner tranquility that is solid and lasting. We can be in action to protect what we value without demeaning others or becoming out-of-balance if we continually practice staying in touch with the inner strength inherent to us all.

___ ![Screen Shot 2020-03-05 at 9.10.30 PM.jpeg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmQrgR1a76SSyVsCe3kBrA5iUgFrXYsjyGUsPTt6WBxiRi/Screen%20Shot%202020-03-05%20at%209.10.30%20PM.jpeg) ___ ![Screen Shot 2020-03-05 at 8.06.15 PM 2.jpeg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmWdLCanrk74CAHgyJcwXuBjdPTeB4p2hqUKWXhcS89bA7/Screen%20Shot%202020-03-05%20at%208.06.15%20PM%202.jpeg) ![Screen Shot 2020-03-05 at 8.06.15 PM.jpeg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmTtZCcgzPCFTma3NcKqPF1n8GL5fyrRmmXAqfdnaDyb1v/Screen%20Shot%202020-03-05%20at%208.06.15%20PM.jpeg) ___

List of witnesses I am currently voting:

. @blocktrades @good-karma @roelandp @yabapmatt @anyx @someguy123 @ausbitbank @gtg @themarkymark @aggroed @steempress @thecryptodrive @cervantes @drakos @therealwolf @followbtcnews @lukestokes.mhth @steempeak @abit @ocd.witness @emrebeyler @curie @stoodkev @jesta @actifit @netuoso @liondani @arcange @pharesim @timcliff .

[Note on witness voting, repeated from above — from my perspective the most important thing at present is the continued functionality and integrity of the blockchain. It is likely that Sun's team is running his pseudo-witnesses all on the same server which is a major risk. What's more, I do not believe they have coders familiar enough with the mechanics of STEEM to not crash the chain entirely by instituting poorly-written and hastily-executed changes via a potential fork. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance to put differences aside at this juncture and re-assess witness choices once there is a more stable situation. Proxy your witness votes to @d-pend if you are unsure.]

___ ![Screen Shot 2020-03-05 at 8.53.59 PM.jpeg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmdYFGBYrKhV9Fi7BcjU9Xyxcz2PNmhLxCt3SN2J9jZnSw/Screen%20Shot%202020-03-05%20at%208.53.59%20PM.jpeg) ___ ![Screen Shot 2020-03-05 at 8.59.37 PM 2.jpeg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmXA3QVSSjxNetwstZBE1QGeXFzpKCWGJWYdMsNj7By32a/Screen%20Shot%202020-03-05%20at%208.59.37%20PM%202.jpeg) ___ *Writing and images by Daniel Pendergraft . Published to STEEM March 5th, 2020* ___ ![Screen Shot 2020-03-05 at 8.59.37 PM.jpeg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmegyTkTEhWq2uQQr66UfDJJNDQMZG4KS5vPE5WxswZs7w/Screen%20Shot%202020-03-05%20at%208.59.37%20PM.jpeg) ___ ![Screen Shot 2020-03-05 at 9.37.31 PM.jpeg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmWTj4FEUhEV5jbbiQPxvLXkFQzaid14sMLxM8pRf2cBpx/Screen%20Shot%202020-03-05%20at%209.37.31%20PM.jpeg) ___ ![Screen Shot 2020-03-05 at 9.17.30 PM 3.jpeg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmW8EesJFSXh2syCJKu872K95FqR93w12afHRBQQAmX5nS/Screen%20Shot%202020-03-05%20at%209.17.30%20PM%203.jpeg)

But One

If we see but One Thing clearly: all else by It made clear,               that One beheld most dearly       does draw all else so near.
If we feel but One Thing truly:    all else shall be made plain.         Then world-chaos, unruly            becomes a quiet lane.
If we walk but One Road only,     the journey is complete.               Then tired soul is shown free— undisturbèd, pure, replete.         ___ ![Screen Shot 2020-03-05 at 9.17.30 PM 4.jpeg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmSuQNSq8bhVisNb5TFuGnvsVCWeukE1GJCDTm2Jh8NBmW/Screen%20Shot%202020-03-05%20at%209.17.30%20PM%204.jpeg) ___ ![Screen Shot 2020-03-05 at 10.39.15 PM.jpeg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmW9RmJaLUZJ3uoZHJAePVFrbeKfXrxBVMXvzbHthCGtuF/Screen%20Shot%202020-03-05%20at%2010.39.15%20PM.jpeg) ___