A tribe is defined as a social division in a traditional society consisting of families or communities linked by social, economic, religious, or blood ties, with a common culture and dialect, typically having a recognized leader.

My tribe is different. My tribe comes from all different backgrounds. My tribe is diverse.

My tribe is my tribe because they understand me, they get me, they see me, they accept me for being me. They are loyal. They know how to give and receive love. They stretch me. They don’t allow me to play small. They have a drive for learning more and growing. They show me grace where I fall short. They have shown me what unconditional love is through their actions. They understand that grace is the ingredient in true love, not judgment. My tribe loves people in the same way I feel love from God.

Motivational speaker Jim Rohn famously said, “We are the average of the five people we spend the most time with.” I agree with this to a point. The energy and influence of others impact us daily. However, much of my tribe lives far away in another land and the impact these amazing people have on my life is powerful.

Who we surround ourselves with can make or break us. Who is in your tribe? Are you authentically you? Are you the best you when you are around these people?

Every year I chose one word to focus on. During 2016 I focused on the word CONNECTION. I have learned that connecting truly means giving and receiving on many different levels. Self-sufficiency, self-protection and self-efficiency, have been things hindering me from true connection. Is there something hindering you from connecting with others on a deeper level? What would things look like if you could connect deeper with others?

During the first nine months of the year, I thought I was coming to a better understanding of connection. However, it wasn’t until the last three months of the year when I contracted an illness from a bug bite, did I truly learned that real connection comes from not only giving but receiving. It is one of the most amazing things about the human experience. We don’t always have to be the one that has it all together, with all the understanding and have all of the resources. We can be the one in need. It allows others to express their love and give the gifts they were meant to give. It gives us the opportunity to say, “Thank you!” So, to you, I say, “Thank you!”