{"id":27699,"date":"2025-01-20T07:52:00","date_gmt":"2025-01-20T12:52:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/positiveexperience.org\/?p=27699"},"modified":"2025-10-07T11:19:44","modified_gmt":"2025-10-07T15:19:44","slug":"surgeon-general-vivek-murthy-shares-the-importance-of-spreading-community-and-connection","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/positiveexperience.org\/blog\/surgeon-general-vivek-murthy-shares-the-importance-of-spreading-community-and-connection\/","title":{"rendered":"Former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy shares the importance of spreading community and connection"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Proscribing community through relationships, service, purpose, and love<\/h2>\n

\u201c…community is a powerful source of life satisfaction and life expectancy. It\u2019s where we know each other, help each other, and find purpose in contributing to each other\u2019s lives.\u201d -Surgeon General Vivek Murthy<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

On January 7, Surgeon General Vivek Murthy shared his Parting Prescription for America<\/a>. In this letter, Dr. Murthy shares what he has learned over his six years as the 19th<\/sup> and 21st<\/sup> Surgeon General of the United States. He prescribes for people to have more community and connection in their lives, not only for our mental health but also our physical health. He shares pivotal moments from his childhood where his parents instilled the value of community through helping friends and caring for others who have experienced illness or difficulties. Giving back and being there for others gave Dr. Murthy a sense of purpose and gratification.<\/p>\n

Through conversations with people around the country, Dr. Murthy determines a need for community. He heard from people that something was missing in their lives. Dr. Murthy recalls one man who won the lottery. The person now had plenty of money but lacked a reason to get up in the morning. He did not have anyone to share the winnings with. In this country, our attention often centers around fame, wealth, and power \u2013 values that can drive away a sense of meaningful community.<\/p>\n

To address the need for community, Dr. Murthy shares three core elements: relationships, service, and purpose, and one core virtue: love.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]\n

Building community through the HOPE Framework<\/h2>\n

It can feel impossible to change a country’s values and culture. But, change is possible with Dr. Murthy\u2019s three core elements and the core virtue of love. As an educator inspiring the next generation, a doctor caring for patients, a community coalition acting on large-scale initiatives, or anywhere in between or adjacent, you can and are making a difference toward positive change.<\/p>\n

You are moving progress forward.<\/p>\n

Creating a better sense of community takes a village, and the HOPE framework is a concrete way for all to achieve this. The framework centers on promoting key types of positive childhood experiences<\/a> (PCEs) \u2013 we call the Four Building Blocks of HOPE<\/a> \u2013 that all children need to thrive. The HOPE framework places the power of the positive front and center and helps individuals, communities, and organizations see what is going well in everyone\u2019s lives.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]\n

Creating action using the Four Building Blocks of HOPE<\/h2>\n

The Four Building Blocks of HOPE mirror Dr. Murthy\u2019s core elements of relationship, service, and purpose. These Building Blocks are:<\/p>\n