[2Xheadpalm]

Many of the positive qualities that harbor close ties and meaningful relationships with family and friends require "work" and time, most people today either do not have the time (perhaps due to work commitments etc.) or will not invest the effort required to create new or sustain and make existing relationships grow with time.

I am reminded of the old saying, - 'You can't have your cake and eat it'. By that, I mean, their is a trade-off when devoting many of your waking hours to work, excessive entertainment and other pursuits related purely to material gains and then in turn neglecting the just as important social connections in your life. The result is typically loneliness or worse...

I can appreciate for many people it can seem out of their control to reach some form of work/life balance but over time everyone has the power to both start making changes in their life styles and also, the way they react to the events in their life. With some sacrifices and motivation to do so, you definitely increase your chances of lessening loneliness.