In their book, The Good Life, Robert Waldinger and Marc Schulz point out that human beings are social creatures which means that each of us, as individuals, cannot provide everything we need for ourselves. For example, “We can’t confide in ourselves, romance ourselves, mentor ourselves, or help ourselves move a sofa. We need others to interact with us and to help us, and we flourish when we provide that same connection and support to others. This process of giving and receiving is the foundation of a meaningful life.” As the authors point out earlier in their book, “Scientific studies have told us again and again: human beings need nutrition, we need exercise, we need purpose, and we need each other.” This is not a touchy-feely idea; it’s a hard fact—we need each other.
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