The pandemic is an excellent time to build your tribe. It is easy to feel isolated now when we are physically separate from friends and relatives. The isolation may motivate us to take action.
Historically, a tribe was a community related by geography, genetics, or history. In this internet age a tribe has come to mean people with common interests and values who use a shared vocabulary to communicate.
I take the notion of a tribe personally. I like to think of a tribe as people I know on a common journey, a network of like-minded people.
My tribe is comprised of people who accept and respect me for who I am. They care. They listen to what I have to say, yet challenge me when that is appropriate. They have similar morals and values or a similar history or interests to mine. Our conversations are easy and meaningful.
I have the same responsibility for them, including listening, accepting, and supporting them.
Building my tribe has not been easy, but it is worth it. My antennae are always out looking for candidates whom I can recruit. I will use Zoom to meet and greet them and invite them to be part of it.
Once they are members, I dedicate my time to building the relationship through periodic meetings. Or else we drift apart. Connecting doesn’t happen by itself. It requires time energy, and commitment. But the benefits are terrific – acceptance of who we are and companions in our journeys through life. My tribe can always use some more members.
What can you do to make more connections and build your own tribe?