Service rarely happens in isolation, and that is part of its expanding effect. When you extend help, you enter networks of mutual care: neighbors, coworkers, local groups, or strangers who become familiar through shared effort. Sociologist Robert Putnam’s *Bowling Alone* (2000) describes how social capital—trust and connection—supports healthier communities; Pritam’s line suggests it also supports sturdier individuals.
Over time, you gain not only gratitude but also collaboration, mentorship, and friendship. Strength expands because you are no longer carrying life alone. Even small acts—checking on an elderly neighbor or mentoring a student—create relational bridges that quietly reinforce you when your own need arises. [...]
