I am a simple man with simple tastes. I smile when I get that first sip of a freshly brewed coffee in the morning. I smile when I talk to my lovely China Doll niece and she shows me her artwork. She knows I don't draw well and lording it over me. I smile when I get home from work and see my dog wagging its tail and howling for attention.

Lately what makes me smile is getting home and opening the discord channel and Facebook group chats of Ohana @Steemitfamilyph

Two months ago we were about 10 or so people because a lot of people were busy or not really interacting. Fast Forward to January and we opened @steemitfamilyph to more people and things really took off.

A flood of new people came in and I admit it was overwhelming with so many questions and so many people to support in terms of voting and was one of the times I wish I could clone myself so one would do Steemit fulltime while the other worked.

Yet it always puts a smile on my face whenever I go through different posts and see improvements in terms of content, markdowns and quality. It puts a smile when I see them engage and laugh with one another. It makes me smile when I see people succeed and get a curie or an OCD vote because they have good content.

You know that feeling that you beam with pride because someone did well because of their own merit and not because they vote begged from a whale nor abused the system. You feel like a proud dad ( I know my bullies will love this line) who see their kids get first place, or take that game winning shot, or do well in their piano recital.

It may sound weird that I have created deep meaningful relationships with some of the people that I have met in this platform that I care enough to call them friends and look forward to talking to them in Discord and Messenger and leave comments on their posts. A day does not go by that I don't interact with them in some way.

The world is changing as we go digital. Just because they are not in front of us or got to know them through unconventional means that the relationships that we build is false. In a way they might be more true because we don't wear masks or try to hide some of the things we do. We are more open and accepting of people. We show our flaws and they get accepted.

The Origins of Ohana

It was a couple weeks back as I remember that looking at how people treated each other other that it was becoming more than a loose confederation of individuals who was trying to get upvotes. Sure we still had drop and run people who just dropped links and was not interacting with anyone but more and more were talking to each other and giving support not only by upvoting but through genuine human interactions.

I was loving the vibe when it struck me that it was truly becoming a Steemit Family. I needed something catchy and create an emotional attachment. Then like lighting it struck OHANA

Made popular by the Lilo and Stitch movie it talked about accepting people or in the movie's case alien even if they were not connected by blood or race. It was about accepting their flaws and welcoming them to the fold. Of letting them go if they want but that they will always be remembered and welcomed back.

"'Ohana" means "family." "Family" means "no one gets left behind." But if you want to leave, you can. I'll remember you though.
-Lilo

It was perfect and it had the values that we wanted the community to have. To treat everyone that they mattered, that they would be loved and guided no matter what, that they would be understood as always. They would be family.

I know not everyone shares this sentiment yet this is how I feel about them. A lot thank me for guiding and mentoring them when in fact I want to thank them for being there and giving me a purpose. I do not do this for influence nor do I do this because I want people to think highly of me and make me feel superior to other people. Frankly I detest those kinds of people that show a superiority complex and brag about their connections or how they are this or that they are a curator. These are fake mentors and a word of caution when you deal with them.

In a lot of ways Ohana has saved me and given me inspiration to really do good and be selfless. That is the true essence of the GIFTECONOMY of Steemit. Ohana is one of the reasons why I smile.

I am particularly proud of this post if ever you are interested to know more about us.
A Role Model Steemian | The most basic reason WHY

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