Brick By Brick

Study after study shows us how dangerous it is to be isolated and lonely. We now know that loneliness causes more health problems than smoking, obesity or high blood pressure. Yet we do not take this epidemic seriously. Where is the anti-loneliness ad next to the anti-smoking billboard? Where are the social skills programs alongside the weight loss billboards? Instead, Americans just get less and less connected as the years go by.Our culture is not built for connection and yet we all need it, whether or not society helps us. To solve one of the great problems of our time, we need not great solutions, but small solutions repeated over and over. We need a values shift. In this quick and straightforward manual, readers explore 12 connection-oriented values: what they look like, how they build connection, practical tips for making changes, and overcoming common obstacles. With a values lens, skills can be adapted to individual lives, making community work for everyone and building connections that are strong, resilient, and healthy. Together, we can change our culture, one neighborhood at a time.