"Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success." – Henry Ford

Hive is not simply a blockchain - it is a decision, a mindset and a like minded community that shares in the growth of such.

THE WHAT, WHY, WHO & WHERE OF IT ALL

These are my five...

WHAT

_{(What Hive offers you as an individual)}

I've always believed that growth is possible as an individual but impossible to fully realize without a community. HIVE offers just that.

Whether you're active on mainstream social media, write a blog of your own, or both, a community isn't always easy to find.

HIVE is full of different communities for people to join and take part in. And the best part about communities on HIVE?

It's tough to put into precise words, but there's a sense of belonging I feel that no other online platform offers.

Personal growth is inspired and sometimes pushed by people in a community. Growth happens most naturally (and exponentially) where the soil is fertile. That place is HIVE.

WHY

_{(How Hive is different to other social media and blogging platforms)}

There's no denying it so I may as well throw it right out there. Most social sites don't offers rewards in any form of financial value for your time or efforts.

Sure, you can run Ads to boost your business on Faceook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. You don't, however, earn rewards for involvement and quality of work.

That was what first drew me to a website that would later give birth to HIVE as we know it today. I wanted to start accumulating Cryptocurrency but didn't have any funds to invest.

What I did have were some recently acquired skills in blogging after building my first website. It seemed like a perfect fit. But it really wasn't quite yet perfect until HIVE came along.

You might guess as a person who's never heard of HIVE, that the monetary aspect makes it even more cutthroat of a social site than others.

Nothing could be further from the truth. For the most part, people on HIVE are kind and respectful.

There are always exceptions to the rule, but those type don't typically do well when it takes a community (team) to succeed.

WHO

_{(People & spaces you find Hive support and gain enthusiasm from)}

Here's a topic that covers one of the most amazing aspects of HIVE. Support can come surprisingly from anywhere if you just don't quit.

After writing my initial few posts on that old blockchain a few years back, someone noticed my writing. That person was Hive account@jaynie, who created and leads the Power House Creatives community here on HIVE.

As my time here marches on, I'm certain I'll run into and provide support for many more incredible people. So many HIVERS have a story to tell that I can very much relate to.

WHERE

_{(The front ends / dapps of your choice and why)}

I'm not sure if many Hivers will have an answer quite like mine. When coming over to HIVE, I immediately downloaded the Esteem (now Ecency) Application.

Why did I do so? There's something about sitting hunched over a desktop for hours that I just don't care for. Writing on a mobile phone is a chore compared to a keyboard.

Using text for work, however, I got quite fast at it. Now I thoroughly enjoy sitting outside on my back patio in the sunshine while creating an article on HIVE.

No slams to PeakD.com, Hive.Blog, Dapplr, or any of the other front ends used to access HIVE. I do have need for all of them for certain perks they provide.

For instance, I needed to schedule this article to publish at a certain time. To date, only PeakD offers that function. But I still love my mobile Ecency in the sunshine.

#THRIVEONHIVE

_{(My final thoughts & conclusion)}

HIVE is a place to grow and to meet new people. It's a platform to practice and sharpen your writing skills.

HIVE offers communities of people who share the same interests from all over the world. It's a place where people not only share the same interests, but make welcome those that do.

HIVE can be a place of financial reward that helps with some additional funds. It's a place that allows me to build a Cryptocurrency portfolio that will last we'll into my family's future.