Man, we're so glad things have settled down since the Hard Fork. We missed you all. Despite the advice to go 'outside' and away from our Steemtribes, we kinda disconsolately rattled around Discord and the various crew who were still posting and missed the VIBE of the wonderful community we've begun to build here at @naturalmedicine, and the various crossovers we have with other 'tribes', collectives, groups or communities here such as @earthtribe, @ecotrain, @tribesteemup and @freedomtribe who all support the @naturalmedicine ethos. Like us, they were not being able to vote, resteem or even comment - we were all suddenly utterly alone.

This got us thinking about the power of community and connections here. Whilst the meaning of 'tribe' has very particular cultural connotations, for most of us, we understand the word as symbolic or metaphoric, knowing 'tribe' means the ties that bind us in common purpose.

There's not many of us that would have lasted without a sense of community or tribe in this vast and crazy Steemworld.

Some of us know the power of a sangha - a word in Pali and Sanskrit meaning "association", "assembly", "company" or "community" - when Buddhist monks practice dhamma together in a sangha, it's easy than doing it alone. Collective practice brings solidity and helps through difficulties. But the sangha doesn't need to be Buddhist - it is simply beloved community. Through communities, joy, peace, understanding, nourishment strengthens you, and in turn, strengthens the world.

Source

We also got to thinking about the powerful medicines that unite us, from ceremony and ritual, to dancing and song, festivals and parties, to simply sharing tea with our loved ones or family gatherings, or particular herbs and medicines that encourage closeness and connection. Community groups, either in the 'real world' or on Steemit, can be powerful for healing and support which enables individuals to thrive.

Thus, our challenge this week is to consider the question:

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'How does community help you thrive?'

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We love the word 'thrive' and we've used it before for our mental health challenge - it moves beyond simply 'existing' or 'surviving' to blossoming and growth.

Please feel free to interpret this in what every way you choose, as long as you keep the #naturalmedicine ethos in mind. You might like to consider some of the questions below.

• How is a group or community a source of healing?
• How have your connections to other strengthened you?
• What do tribes need for 'glue' in order for them to be a powerful source of healing for both themselves and the world?
• What communities have you been part of that made you a better person?

Prizes

We'll award 2 STEEM each for the winning entries. How many of these we will reward depends on the amount and quality of entries received!

Rules

• Original work only
• Personal anecdotes are valued as they connect your reader to your story
• Photographs and images also make your post more readable and entertaining
• Resteeming of this post is appreciated, but not compulsory
• Upvoting of this post is appreciated, but not compulsory
• All entries MUST use the #naturalmedicine tag to be considered for steem rewards and we also encourage the use of #tribevibes to connect all the tribes creating content that makes the world a better place.

We will be resteeming and curating all valid entries in our wrap up posts! Ensure you go and support the #naturalmedicine collective - as you help it grow, so it helps you grow in return.

Please consider delegating to @naturalmedicine by clicking any amount below. The minimum entry for membership is 10SP, and helps support and celebrate your work with natural remedies, healings and nurturings on this gorgeous blockchain!

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