All you need is love

Despite our light-hearted use of the phrase, the concept is ancient and apparently true.  Love is all you need.

A group of Harvard researchers, on a mission to uncover the true roots of life fulfillment, conducted a 75-year study that reached the same conclusion.

The Harvard Grant Study, led by psychiatrist George Vaillant, followed the life trajectories of 268 male students in order to answer life’s universal questions of growth, development, value and purpose. Vaillant considers the most meaningful finding of the study to be that a happy life revolves around loving relationships. 

Vaillant explains that there are two pillars of happiness: "One is love. The other is finding a way of coping with life that does not push love away."

It's worth noting, the study results describe mature love, genuine commitment, and the associated sacrifices of meaningful relationship between friends, family, and beyond.  

There are so many important things in life; success, income, shelter, security, health, food, education, a place in community, justice,  ....  But love leads them all, and if it's missing, they don't make up the difference.

Earlier work, see here.