“Today, we turn to one person to provide what an entire village once did: a sense of grounding, meaning, and continuity.”

Simplified Meaning:

These days, people often rely on just one special person, like a partner, best friend, or family member, to give them a strong feeling of belonging and purpose. In the past, entire communities helped meet these needs. For example, in small villages, many people would support each other, share traditions, and pass down stories. This community feeling helped folks feel connected and understood. Today, we don't always have such close-knit communities, so we expect a lot from the few people closest to us. This can be a heavy burden for them and might not always fulfill our needs. To apply this idea to our lives, we can try to build wider circles of friends and connections, so that we get support from many different sources. By doing this, we can share the load and create stronger ties that help us feel secure and happy.