Take an inventory of your interests. Chances are there is a group in your area dedicated to your special interest. People in groups develop positive personal relationships that tend to make them feel more comfortable around others, less lonely, and more in control of events.
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Bob is an old-fashioned guy whose hobby is woodworking. Bob, who lives in rural Iowa, had retired and was looking for people who shared his interest. He found himself involved with a woodworking group where he could pick up tips, exchange ideas, and correspond with peoplewho shared his interest. Soon Bob was receiving messages from people all over the country who wanted to discuss their hobby, and he made a number of friendships.
When Bob's wife became seriously ill, he told his woodworking friends that he would be busy caring for his wife. Woodworking friends Bob had corresponded with were saddened and began discussing a project to make a get-well gift for Bob and his wife. Eventually twelve different people from across the country, including a policeman, a lawyer, an engineer, and a janitor, started working on pieces of a bookshelf.
The finished project was assembled by one of the group's members, and it was sent to Bob in Iowa. Bob was touched by the gift. He could not believe the goodwill of his fellow woodworkers, and he was grateful that he had been a part of such a wonderful group.
Group membership tends to make people feel more connected to each other and increases personal confidence and satisfaction by 7 percent.
Coghlan 1989
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