My Three Lives, and a Present for GalenKP

When I was on my world travels, I found a genie's lamp. The genie made an offer I simply couldn't refuse. Three wishes!

I gave one each to my two traveling companions, then it was my turn. Eagerly I wished to live forever, in a strong healthy body.

The genie lowered his head. "Nothing lasts forever. Even I will be no more, one day. But I will give you three lives. In each, you will be extraordinarily long-lived, healthy, and to some extent, lucky. When you die the first two times, you will retain your memories. The third time will send you to the Other Side, where all living beings must inevitably go."

I readily agreed. It sounded like an epic adventure, and I was grateful for the extra time in this world before moving on.

Aware that I would carry all of my experiences and knowledge with me into my next life, I began to study with a lot more purpose - and save more of my income. Each month I purchased crypto, and deposited the bulk of it in paper wallets. I sealed these in waterproof containers, and a fireproof safe.

When it was full, I hid it. Where? I'll never tell you, in case I want to use the spot again.

I also told those in my inner circle what had happened. I gave them each a different passphrase, which I would use to prove my identity in the future.

I think they thought I'd hallucinated or dreamed the whole thing at the time, but that didn't matter. It just made the reunion that much sweeter... I'll never forget their expressions!

While I still took time to enjoy life, I also worked hard to ensure that my next life would be mine, to work or not as I saw fit.

I would be able to travel and go on adventures while my body was still up for it. Also I would be able to fully devote myself to family, rather than having to choose between time and money.

My plan actually worked! I carried over the crypto investments throughout my second life. I found that I had a knack for trading, and that I actually enjoyed it at night. It was relaxing, sort of like reading a good book.

I'm about halfway through my final life, and as I sit here, I'm glad that I planned ahead. We might not always know what the future will hold, but we can count on it being better (should we survive) if we make the decision to stop allowing ourselves to be forced into living from paycheck to paycheck.

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Three Dollars, No More, No Less

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If I could buy @galenkp something, but could only spend three dollars, I would still try to make it something memorable. He has put so much time and energy into helping make Hive a special place.

Some of those efforts I'm obviously not aware of. But others, such as the communities, initiatives, and referrals, are right there for everyone to see.

Because of this, and his welcoming, approachable nature towards me, even when I was new, I would use the funds to commemorate a milestone which I know he considers important: the third anniversary of the Weekend-engagement initiative.

I would purchase a card, preferably something with a nature theme. Then I would write my thanks on it, and hope that it would make his day a little brighter.

Instead though, I created something that's one of a kind. I know Galen enjoys seeing content that was created entirely by the author. I happen to have a couple of digital works of art which I put together to create something interesting, which he will hopefully like.

The blue fractal gives a feeling of the ocean, with wild waves. The gold one is like a flower, or perhaps a sea star. But both can be anything that the viewer wants :)

It was all put together and edited in Canva Pro, using font from their gallery.

@galenkp has full permission to use it in any way he wishes, and I will provide the full sized version and the original fractals if he would like to have them. Nobody else may use it without his permission.