Wow! You write in a powerful motivational way. Now I, though a minnow, don't have much of steem power, but your post made me think, analyse myself, and a resolve. I am not near to any good as you are with words, but let me try.
You said we can upvote those whom we relate to with heart, whom we agree with. That is the way to grow I think as well. I am a growing musician, and a bit of travel writer, and I look for motivation and advice from others. So it is better if I focus on musicians, travel writers and the best advisers here.
If I upvote a post just for money or to get higher curation, I will lose the interest very soon, because I won't be connected in the real sense. In my own eyes I will feel less respect for myself. It is been almost 1.5 months, and I have been searching for similar people, and it is been hard. I never commented 'I follow you so you follow me.' because there is no point, it is such a shame that people do it. I feel disgusted with them. But when I peek deep inside me I feel I am weak as well. I also crave to write those comments sometimes, more so if the person is having higher SP than me.
This is a continuous battle with that craving, and I am sure when I overcome it completely, I am RICH.