Do I need to learn a secret handshake?

There was never a doubt in my mind about how incredible @thealliance is. Week after week for the last few months, I've heard multiple times about all the good that the group is doing here on the platform. When a community focuses on engagement amongst its members and highlights the fantastic work they're all doing, the result is something genuine, powerful, and unmissable. Something special has definitely been created.

There is always one word which reverberates back from each and every member...

family

It's always pleasant to hear about the support shared amongst @thealliance family. The sense of community is something to admire and be inspired by. Last week, during some much-needed downtime, I realized the importance of being involved with this community. Being able to show support down multiple avenues leads to a more fulfilling journey for myself, while also building stronger support for the people around me.

Community is not singular.

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_{source - photo by michał parzuchowski}

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To improve your life and well-being, the immediate attempt is to add more to it, to increase and expand. That works, but only to a certain degree. It can actually reduce the quality of it. By practicing via negativa – the art of adding to your life by subtracting – you can make it better by hacking away the unessential. _article

Time is precious

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We all have a multitude of goals, communities and visions that we want to adhere to, while also maintaining some level of balance and sanity. Structuring this time is important and as you can see from the quote above, it's not about adding more; sometimes it's about finding out what is essential and subtracting the rest.

At this moment in time on Steemit, for me;

essential = connection

Pimp Your Post Thursday, Talk Of The Line, Vibrations, Drop in the Ocean

These are a mixture of the different shows and series that I'm currently committed to and excited to be a part of every week. They are brilliant for connecting and getting to know others here on the platform and they have provided avenues for me to show my support.

Eyes On will gradually slide into the list of committments as the weeks go by and the connections grow. There is a definite focus on the talents and efforts of the community and it's going to be a lot of fun learning about the wonderful creators from @thealliance.

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_{source - photo by alain pham}

Growth mindset

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Where family and genuine connection stays, brilliance and knowledge grows. This is the main factor behind why I see great benefit from joining @thealliance. I already know there are some fascinating people in the group and having the place to connect and learn with these people stands with monumental value on it's own.

Constantly and consistently learn.

As well as the opportunity to grow intellectually, the opportunity to grow authentically also presents itself. Just like what I shared prior about the various shows and series, the community feels like it values genuine connection and engagement above all. This is a value very close to my own beliefs and something that has strengthened further when I've focused on people who share similar views.

What can I bring to the table?

• The burning desire for the positive growth of the platform

• A set of ears to listen attentively and a pair of eyes to read throughly

• Genuine interaction and support

• Transparency and honesty

• A mind that is somewhat detached from ego

• BuddyUP

Keeping in line with all above it, I'll explain the last bullet point.

This application is only being created now, and not two months ago, because I have had other committments with our BuddyUP community to focus on. The delay was for a couple of reasons, time and moreso because of sniping. I don't want to come along to a community and step on anybodies toes. It's not respectful and it has the potential to set some ego's off.

Nevertheless, I don't believe this would be the case over at @thealliance because they highly value community and the choices of each individual. I know this because it's exactly the same way that I feel about the members of BuddyUP.

There are a mixture of fantastic members in our community who value the support and encouragement they receive within the server. I know they will heavily value that same support gained from @thealliance. The greatest thing that I can bring to the table is the rest of the BuddyUP family.

(I just hope @enginewitty can cook...)

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_{source - photo by jaco pretorius}

_{top video: source - buy here - artwork}