I don't get how we do it. Despite a veneer of civility that we wear over top of ourselves, despite a demeanor of rugged individuality, we all really just need people to love and respect us. That's most of what we all want. Material possessions, wealth, everything else is secondary. Without someone to share it with, what's the point of being successful?

It doesn't have to be a lover, either. Just having friends close enough to open up to, ones you can drop the facade around, is sometimes all you need to be happy.