The Value of Community

Image Source: CANVA

We often hear about different communities here on the blockchain. It is recommended that you scan through the different communities to find a community where you can share your interests, your passion with like-minded people.

The importance to become part of a community and enjoy the support of that community cannot be stressed enough.

I have personally experienced the value of this by being part of the CTP community, the LEO FINANCE community, and lately also the PROOF OF BRAIN community here on the blockchain.

I have to say, it was especially through the CTP community that I have received support and advice as I was introduced to this blockchain by @jongolson. What I know and what I am still learning about this blockchain is largely due to the support from the community.

When you find yourself part of such a community, everything changes. Everybody is keen to help, support, and show you the way. Everybody wants to see everybody succeeding.

This is wonderful. Considering the times we are living in, it is something I personally thought doesn't exist anymore. So often it is just everyone for himself and the moment it looks like someone offers to assist you in any way, you tend to start thinking... "Why? What's the hidden agenda? What's the catch? What do they want from me...?"

In all honesty, I have never had that experience here on the blockchain. People are sincere.

Obviously, you have to show up and engage with people. You have to add value from your side as well. But that is how it should be. Any relationship must come from two sides. It will never work if it only keeps on coming from one side.

But what inspired me to write this post, is how I am experiencing the value and power of a community in real life over the last couple of days.

Over the past couple of days, we have experienced a terrible wave of unrest, violence, and looting here in South Africa. You will probably know about it as I believe it is all over the international news as well.

It escalated to a point where everybody started to stand together, saying "no more".

Everybody in the various communities started joining forces and stood side by side to protect our loved ones and belongings. Everything, from industrial areas to shopping malls and private property.

Private members of the various communities, neighborhood watch groups, various security forces, together with police and eventually the South African Defence Force, all standing together.

Currently, we experience a shortage in food supplies, fuel, and many other necessities in various areas, due to the damage to infrastructure and difficulties in the distribution thereof.

But besides standing together to resist and protect, people are forming groups on social media, keeping everybody informed about where we can get what. Then everybody works together so that everybody can get what they need.

Yes, you still get that idiot who thinks he is the Lone-Ranger or something, getting impatient and swearing at people when it is difficult to get through at some places.

But in general, communities are getting together, supporting one another like I haven't seen in a very, very long time. And working together now is the only way to forward if we want to survive this.

So, that's just my 5 cents worth of how I view the importance of community. And yes, maybe there are no life-threatening situations here on the blockchain itself, but I have read about situations where people were in need in their real-life situations, and how communities here reached out and supported those people and encouraged them to get through their challenges.

I hope this post will help you to see the importance of communities. To see the power that goes with such communities to enable the community members to not only survive but to thrive, expand and grow in a way you would never be able to do on your own.