Just recently I had lunch with one of my best friends from University days and it was an amazing experience! We had been really close during our second year, studying Italian, hanging out, organising events for the Italian club and socialising (a lot). There was this beautiful ‘simpatico’ or compatability between us.
Image from Carolyn Myss, Archetype cards.
At 21, I left to go overseas for six months and came back changed, reeling from culture shock and transformed by the experience. Unexpectedly we drifted apart. We still can’t explain it. No conflict, no decision to disconnect, our paths just took us in different directions and we had little contact for the next 20 years.
Image from http://www.starhotelst.com
In the intervening time, we made interesting life journeys. Me, working with community arts and youth work in health promotion, services for homelessness, drug use, mental health, abuse and violence, and later teaching and education for future workers. My friend went on to lecture at University in nursing, the arts and community health, delivering health care informed by social justice, culture and community participation. Different paths but common threads!
Image from http://www.jmeetzestudiocommonthreads.blogspot.com
Enter facebook friend finder and we hooked back up. We’ve caught up a couple of times since and after a rapid life update, we very quickly fell into the comfortable pattern of simpatico. Listening to each other, excited by our stories and journeys, we sparked off each other. You know the kind of conversations where words seem to trip over each other. What fun! Not only were we sharing our experiences and practically finishing each other’s sentences, we lifted and extended each other ideas to new territory and new creative possibilities.
Afterwards, it got me thinking about tribes and what is my tribe? For me, people from your tribe are like a mirror to your best self and your passions. They are where you feel at home and remind you of who you are. Here are some of my tribes:
My social justice tribe – those with a passion for justice, participation, diversity, inclusion, those who imagine and dream of a more just and peaceful world, where we share our loving humanity and celebrate our diversity.
Image from http://www.pinterest.com
My eco-warrior tribe – these folk understand humanity as living in a connected web with all beings who live on this planet, those who fight for sustainability, protect and restore habitats and seek to live lightly on the planet. Those optimists who seek innovative, ethical and creative solutions to the challenges facing humanity.
Image – Miranda Gibson Styx Valley protest, in http://www.habitatadvocate.com.au
My creative arts fairies and happy travellers tribe – these are my friends who experience their life as a creative expression, this might be through the arts – music, visual arts, dance etc or through the way they explore and create life on their own terms, living with love, compassion and peace with themselves and others
Image from http://www.karyeriakweks.wordpress.com
My spiritual crew – these are my fellow journeyers who experience the multidimensional nature of human existence, they experience the divine and know themselves, as spirit, as a piece of the divine and they see it in others. They play with crystals, fairies, angels, beings of light and they are willing to journey through the shadows for the higher evolution of their souls and the human collective. They are wayshowers, holding the torch, they are catalysts for change as they have the courage to seek to be all that they are.
Image from http://www.domesticdiva.ca
When i’m really lucky, the same friend comes from multiple tribes and there is that particular spark!! When i reflect on my tribes, they’re not just thinkers and dreamers, they’re also do-ers. Living from their essence of love, they bring change to the world not only through their creative thoughts, words and actions, but particularly when they are true to who they really are.
Image from http://www.communityartscollective.org
My dear friend is moving overseas with her family to pursue her dreams. I am so pleased for her new adventures and glow with the blessing of knowing, that we are from the same tribe and we will always be connected. These kind of heart connections can never be severed.
Image from http://www.wildlifeadventures.com
Who are your tribes?
I’d love to hear where you feel at home and who reminds you of who you truly are.
Blessings and light for a day of simpatico!
Sarah
Dear Sarah
i love how you describe your tribes. Our family tribe is scattered all over the world, but with modern technology we can keep in touch and not let the space and long distances separate us. So I bring you loving greetings from London where we are having fun with the tribe here – Rachel, Howard, Olive, George, Sophia Geoffrey and Henry. Today is Rachels birthday. The children have decorated a cake and written lots of lovely messages for their Mother. It is fascinating to observe their development and their writing and drawing skills on their birthday cards.
Love and blessings from MUM, matriarch of the family tribe.
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sending big big hugs to you and all the london tribe!
much love
sx
xxxx
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I can see myself in a few of these tribes. Nice blog. I’m keen to consider my tribes and how I would define them. Cheers.
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Yes we are fellow ramblers!! Your tribes are amazing, i’d love to hear what you come up with!! I can imagine a few. Much love sx
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Beautiful blog Sarah. I love your descriptions too! For myself it’s been a long, at times hard and painful road finding my tribes and I like to think I have finally found some where I am no longer scared or nervous to truly show my colours 🙂
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oh i can relate to that! i’ve found it a journey of being my authentic self and then people who resonated with that came into my life. i’m so grateful to have you in my tribe! sx
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I so heart this post, Sarah! Thanks for being part of my tribe and my journey. Also, you rock because… FAIRIES!!!!! Love you xx
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YES YES YES – FAIRIES!!! (etc) :o)
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