Below is a lesson from People's abbreviated version of the Surgeon General's letter to Americans on rethinking what leads to fulfillment and well-being in life, as well as our key learnings.

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Surgeon General Urges Americans to 'Rethink How We're Living Our Lives' in Closing Letter to the Country (Exclusive) 

"This is my parting prescription for the country I love," U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy writes in a letter shared exclusively with PEOPLE

Key Learnings:

1. The Power of Community – U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy shares his father’s story of growing up in a rural Indian village where strong social bonds prevented feelings of emptiness, despite material poverty. This highlights that true fulfillment comes from deep relationships rather than wealth.

2. The Root Causes of Modern Discontent – Rising loneliness, mental distress, and division in the U.S. stem not just from economic hardship but from a decline in connection, purpose, and service to others.

3. The Triad of Fulfillment – Murthy identifies three essential elements for a meaningful life:

   • Relationships – Meaningful connections with others.
   • Service – Acts of kindness and helping others.
   • Purpose – A sense of direction and meaning in life.

4. The Misguided Pursuit of Success – Society often prioritizes fame, wealth, and power, but these do not provide lasting fulfillment. Instead, chasing external validation can lead to greater dissatisfaction.

5. Actionable Solutions – Murthy suggests steps to restore fulfillment:

   • Daily acts of kindness and checking in on friends.
   • Encouraging service through national programs and local initiatives.
   • Schools and workplaces should integrate relationships, service, and purpose into their cultures.
   • Media and cultural narratives should uplift purpose-driven lives.

6. A Call for a Cultural Shift – To counter loneliness and division, the U.S. must redefine success and build a society centered on relationships, service, and purpose.

7. A Final Reflection on Life’s Meaning – Murthy emphasizes that at life’s end, people value their relationships and contributions to others over material success, reinforcing the importance of human connection.

The overarching message is that fulfillment comes not from achievements or wealth but from meaningful relationships, service, and purpose—a perspective that could reshape how individuals and society define success and well-being.