Learn to build genuine relationships that uplift you and help you navigate the ups and downs of parenting.
There is a story in the New Testament in which four friends grabbed a mat and used it to carry a paralyzed man to Jesus, lowering the man through the roof of a hut in hopes that Jesus would heal him.
To inhabitants of what often seems like a fractured, self-obsessed world, this 2,000-year-old story might feel remarkable. This man had friends who were connected to him—and to one another—enough to work in concert to help him. When crowds blocked their way, they doubled down and dug a hole to get him help. It seems like this man had built an enviable community for himself.
Today, so many years later, having a deep network of friends is no less crucial. “There are few things that are more important to our success in life than the social relationships we form and maintain,” says associate professor of psychology Jamil Zaki.
As with most good things, building connection and community requires some work. Zaki, author of The War for Kindness: Building Empathy in a Fractured World, and Xuan Zhao, a social science research scholar at Stanford whose work includes the study of deep social connections, have tips to help. (Trowels optional.)
In this Stanford Magazine article, author Christine Foster shares practical insights on building a strong, lasting support network. Key tips from the article include:
- Forming friendships across differences
- Asking for help
- Taking into account location
- What it really takes to build deeper bonds
Check out the full article here to dive deeper into her insights.
Christine Foster is a writer in Connecticut. Email her at stanford.magazine@stanford.edu.
