https://media.giphy.com/media/29WVCjM2wua2c/giphy.gif [::Image Source::](https://media.giphy.com/media/29WVCjM2wua2c/giphy.gif) ________ Like a lot of independent thinkers, I am slow and reluctant to join... anything, really. Without deep alignment, groups are easily counter-productive, and can pull you off your personal course. But WITH alignment, tribing can build wonderful momentum that benefits all participants. [**TribeSteemUp**](https://steemit.com/@tribesteemup) is an example of that, and I'm grateful to be weaving with a group of visionary and talented people who share similar quirks and values. 💜 This is [**Aishlinn**](https://steemit.com/@trucklife-family)'s perfect description of TSU: > The TribeSteemUp project, was created 10 months ago by @kennyskitchen. It is a Community Abundance Generator which supports authors who write articles that look at ways in which we can become more empowered and create a more peaceful and free world. The authors that are supported are writing content of high quality, which are based on the following topics: Anarchy | Non-Violence | Philosophy | Veganism | Mindfulness | Community Empowerment | Love | Original Music | Esotericism | Healthy Recipes | Psychedelics | Truth | Permaculture I'm not vegan (but respect and practice many of the compassionate ideals). I don't make original music (but ADORE musicians!) And I'm exploring community empowerment (but will probably always be more hermitic, even within community). The other 10 topics have my whole-hearted interest, and (imperfect) participation. It is soul-satisfying to align with a project that holds so many of the things I value most. ✨🌟 Many gifted hands now work on and in TSU, and I want to give special honor to **@kennyskitchen** for having the executed vision that got this successful endeavor started. And to **@jamesc** who [**generously funded it**](https://steemit.com/tribesteemup/@flauwy/voluntaryism-on-steemit-how-jamesc-empowers-the-tribesteemup-community). 🌟✨ ## Thank you, both, for helping previously marginal content, become less marginal and more visible. Thank you, both, for endowing the creators of such content, with the material support that earthly incarnation still requires. TSU is proving that the sweet, harmonious, visionary life we dream of, is not only optimal, but is also POSSIBLE. 🙏 https://media.giphy.com/media/3o6ozuHcxTtVWJJn32/giphy.gif ![page-divider.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmYpVRf5eRDPe1FiHXMeqwSrgvzWzKNvm9DPfy7KUNZq4c/page-divider.jpg) TSU's current bi-weekly question was offered by **@enjoyinglife**. This is my first time contributing an answer. The question is: # What Does Being Aware Mean To You?

I tried to think of a question that's bigger than this one, and I could not! I mean, even the other usual mind-benders, like: "What's the meaning/purpose of life?" or "How does one really become free?" ... even those allow you to just place your focus directly on the question-at-hand, and then try... But this one gets meta. **It makes me aware of my awareness.** Which feels a little like trying to drive a car, from the back-seat. It's really hard to explain! Trying to describe awareness first scrambles, and then detonates, my mind. My brain just kinda... https://media.giphy.com/media/CZO0apIUowHyo/giphy.gif [::Image Source::](https://media.giphy.com/media/CZO0apIUowHyo/giphy.gif) #### Trying to eff the ineffable, as Alan Watts, would say. :-)

So since my brain wasn't up for the task, let's see if my heart can do better with that question. According to my heart, awareness (to me) is: # 💙🧠 KNOWTICING 👁️🌌

*(When familiar words aren't working, make up a new one!)* Knowticing is the **knowledge** and perception of water on your skin as you shower, and it is also **noticing** the water's multiple effects on you. Knowticing -- being aware -- asks you to live and move slowly enough that your shower-time is not so rushed and 'hoppy,' that it can't unfold into a lavish outpouring of spontaneous thanks for potable water... ...and to 'seeing' a world with not a single thirsty mouth in it. From Cape Town, South Africa... to Flint, Michigan... and all between. Knowticing asks: *Why shouldn't my lips feel dry, too?* Your shower-water can connect you to [**the thirsts of others**](https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2018/03/world-water-day-water-crisis-explained/), and **in mindful solidarity**, you can carry others' thirst with you every time you hydrate your own self, with ease and convenience. And please don't let that overwhelm you in any way, because... ### ... awareness of a thing, does not dump guilt. It invites responsibility.

And invitations can be refused. *Everything is voluntary.* Plus, there's an upside. The same knowticing awareness that 'burdened' you with images of waterlessness, and dystopic worries of [**Mad Max**](https://youtu.be/d605rM0U3x0) becoming real, *also reminds you of the genius that indwells each person.* It might be dormant, or damaged, but that genius is THERE. **In each person.** And so you wonder how you might say, do, or write something that could inspire the genius in another person, and in your own self. ## If a needed solution wanted to drop itself inside a ready-head, are you willing to be the mother-vessel that brings it into the world?

There are showers. And there are *showers.* Knowticing, being aware, is the difference. https://media.giphy.com/media/lNjuisqM65lRu/giphy.gif ________ ![tsu-banner.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmc5xZ2ziqto1jwEXmenJ33AiJsgFAzXF6ut2EgwyWFZpQ/tsu-banner.jpg) [**Click this sentence to read an awesome post from TSU fam, @ elamental. He answers this same question, and I love it. I think you will, too. 💙💜**](https://steemit.com/tribesteemup/@elamental/what-being-aware-means-to-me-my-answer-to-the-tribe-steem-up-bi-weekly-question)