Hello everyone, I hope all is well with you. I’m back today after a week of editing and working. I’m happy with my story. Just one more tweak and I think I’ll be satisfied. Maybe. 😉 Work went well this week, and I spent some time with friends this weekend, so it has been a good week, but enough about that. Today I’d like to talk about the community of the Blue Zone portion of the documentary.
It’s so important to have a community that supports you. Your tribe. When life gives you lemons it’s your tribe that helps you make lemonade. You can have more than one tribe. You can have a creative tribe and a historical tribe (a group of friends you’ve hung out with over the years) and a work tribe.
It’s good to have more than one because your work tribe will understand when there’s an upheaval at work where your creative tribe might not be as empathetic in that situation not because they don’t care, but because they can’t relate. I do believe we need to stay connected in our lives.
In person connection is so important. Where we receive physical touch and pick up on social cues, we strengthen our human connection. It strengthens our immune system and reduces stress. Technology today has increased the number of connections we have, but it’s weakened our in-person connections. We spend much too much time on our computers and looking at our phones.
Another similarity in all the Blue Zones was their lack of up-to-date technology. They did so many things “old school.” This not only helped them physically but also mentally. They have much more in-person contact than other areas where people didn’t live as long, which as I stated before reduces stress and strengthens our immune system.
So, I encourage you to find your tribe. Build it around an activity like hiking or writing. Something that you all have in common. You’ll live longer. I’m sure of it.
How about you? Do you have a tribe? What benefits do you see coming from it? Leave a comment! I’d love to hear from you!
I so agree about having tribes , like you I have tribes established at different times of my life or from different parts of life. At times they overlap and each offer a feeling of comfort and support for me. I make it a point to stay connected to each of them.
Good for you. It’s important for our emotional needs. Thanks for stopping by, Beth. I appreciate your support!
Well said, Lisa.
Thanks, Andrew! I appreciate you stopping by!
You’re welcome.
💜
I often think about this when I attend writing critique groups. One of them is large and monthly, the other is smaller and meets twice a month. We have many things in common but enough differences to keep it very interesting!
That is awesome! Writing groups are the best!
Yes, they are!
An excellent reminder! Community is everything. 🙂
Yes, it is! It’s important to have those good friends that you can connect with. 🙂
I love the different names of the tribes, and the emphasis on having more than one or probably more than two tribes. Younger generations seem to put so much stress on a partner–to fulfill the job of many tribes (work tribe, home tribe, friend tribe). I imagine it puts a lot of stress on a partnership. And I love the name “historical tribe” for the emphasis on longevity in a friend group. Our interests and passions might change over the years but those historical tribe members still always seem to “get” us.
Exactly! Well said, Rebecca. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. I appreciate you!