I just started reading this wonderful book The Art of Happiness in a Troubled World, by The Dalai Lama and Howard Cutler. One of the reasons they state that people in our modern age have less happiness is because we are too solitary. There could be a number of factors for this: the proliferation of technology, working longer hours, and others. What’s the remedy? Community building!

This seems like an obvious answer…if you’re alone, then be around more people! But it really does make sense, doesn’t it? I can recollect many situations where I don’t feel like being with people. But after I made the effort to meet-up with someone, then I instantly felt more energetic and happy after the encounter.

Reading this book and also taking the Lifebook course last fall has been inspiring reminders that this is something I need to work on more in my own life. As much as I feel gratified in my life as a musician, husband, and son, the reality is my current life pattern doesn’t give me a lot of quality interactions with people. For the sake of my well-being and happiness, I’m going to make more of an effort!