Dog walk diaries: Spending time and energy

As I am walking, I am thinking about a comment I got recently that said that they realised that to be part if the community and be taken seriously, they had to power up. This isn't just as a show of commitment to the platform but also as an attractor and a foot in the door. The ability and means to be able to offer reciprocity even if not acted upon reassures people.

I was wondering in regards to our real lives, who do we surround ourselves with. In general in my life I don't aim to be surrounded by those who only need support in fact, they are the much smaller group. I don't just mean financial support of course, I mean emotional and mental also. It is not that they never need support but, they don't always need supporting.

I wonder about other people here and who tgey surround themselves with, does Birds of a feather hold true?

A long time ago I came across the idea of having a reference group, a support network of people who are in general, more capable and more skilled than myself. My work allows this to some degree as I have close relationships with some talented professionals. It is not that I want to do like them but, I would like to be able to find my place in a similar way to them. In return for their help, I help them where I am able. Reciprocity. A relationship.

I find that here at Steem many forget the reciprocal state of a relationship and that the strongest bonds are based on mutual benefits rather than lopsided reliance. It is not that it needs to be the same goods traded but, the value has to be seen as somewhat even over time. A vote might be given on information provided or, an ear offered to release social steam.

People rely solely on their content as the offering to the community but it is rarely going to br enough in the long term of things unless that content continually delivers value. Maby do whay they like doing and expect to be paid for it, regardless of whether anyone believs it holds worth or, without returning anything else to the community or audience.

When it comes to entertainment factor, repetition gets old fast unless it offers a compelling hook. No trends last long term with steady support otherwise there is no space for evolution of trends through new ideas. If however there is relevant information attached or chance for support in other ways, there is more possibility at longevity.

I wonder who we as an average surround ourselves with. The ones who make us feel good, smart, important? Or, the ones who challenge us and force us to think and be better than we were? It is interesting to note who we spend our time with because it might indicate what kind of person we are. Do they rely on us, we rely in them or is it a win/win situation where we can both bring our relevant skills to the table to trade?

This is not a utilitarian approach to friendship buy it may be a pragmatic view of relationships in general. When the balance of relationship is one-sided for too long, the chance the provider feels used increases and they may walk away leaving the reliant feel like victim. One thing is near certain though and that is human nature dictates that needs require satisfaction and any manipulation is justifiable to reach those ends.

People may want to feel clever or rich, important, attractive, successful or loved and they will manipulate their environment, their acquaintances and themselves to get what they want. Balance and reciprocity rarely come into the mind of an addict.

Why have relationships in our lives unless they make us better people? This doesn't matter if better is only a material consideration. Not everyone can offer material value but, everyone can offer value.

What do you bring to the Steem table? Is it worthy of support, would you upvote your content if another wrote it, would you follow yourself because of what you offer? Do you follow people of quality and behavioir higher or lower than your own? Those who offer a lot in your opinion, can you offer support to them? Are you providing, reliant or acting for a win for all? Are you appreciative of what you get or do you feel entitled to more?

Taraz
[ a Steem original ]
_{(posted from phone)}