I was struck by these quotes:

The person who tries to live alone will not succeed as a human being. His heart withers if it does not answer another heart. His mind shrinks away if he hears only the echoes of his own thoughts and finds no other inspiration. ~Pearl S. Buck

He who is unable to live in society, or who has no need because he is sufficient for himself, must be either a beast or a god. ~Aristotle

I know the toll isolation exacts. There is a void. Nonetheless, I lack some social skills. One therapist was kind enough to tell me I was a social retard. Maybe so?

This article speaks to me: http://www.alive.com/6980a17a2.php?s..._bread_cramb=5

Particularly this quote:“Loneliness is a greater risk for morbidity or mortality than cigarette smoking,” says Nicholas Epley, assistant professor of behavioral science at the University of Chicago.

I was able to quit smoking years ago. Maybe there is time yet for me to transform the beast?

Fuzzybear, will you join my quest?