Unfortunately that's a fact in too much of our (anti)society, but In truly compassionate meeting group circles you can find help and real community: ie. 12 Step peoples, volunteer organisations where people help themselves through helping others, and a few churches, temples, gurdwaras etc. But know this: the real-deal faith groups never put a price tag on their services.

You just did, although I know this isn’t what you meant. But it is really hard for lots of us who don’t make friends easily. If you can accept some well meaning advice, you might try doing what I did. I joined a neighbourhood facebook group. There were lots of people posting all kinds of things that were opportunities for people to get together with other people without knowing them first. I understand that it’s really scary to do that if you’re not comfortable or confident, but challenging ourselves is usually the only way we grow, and also the best way to get the things we want in life. So be brave. Reach out! I promise that there are lots of other people feeling just like you do.

Reports suggest that many adults report having few friends or none at all. Among millennial-aged adults, 27% report that they have no close friends.

Honey, that's a quarter of the city you are talking about.

But the gossip and the backstabbing is so tedious. Who would have thought adulthood would be cliques, gossip, backstabbing, friendship and relationship drama when we were young? I thought life would be more interesting.

Yeah. I think we are close to a breaking point. I hope we adapt away from social media. We are systemically dehumanized by it. It has been invaluable in opening up the word for us to see our inhumanity in order to confront it. I feel a shift in myself that has made me more open and authentic. I'm losing my cynicism and actually feel hopeful. When I see it in others, we recognize it and we are drawn to communicate. I know I'm not the only one. Optimism, like laughing can be contagious. The meek, the ones who accept and respect all, regardless of the vitriol we see on social media, will inherit the world. Want friends? Think of the attributes of your perfect friend and then become that person. We will be drawn to each other to change the world. Organically.