Many men want to think and brag that they are independent loners. "I don't need anybody." they say. But it usually turns out that they can't hack it.

I knew a guy who admired Mad Max played by Mel Gibson in "The Road Warrior". When this guy had a job and the stock market was up he'd hide out from his friends and even his girlfriend in an egotistical blissful state. When he lost his job or the stock market was down, he desperately sought out his friends for emotional support. His girlfriend would ask, "Where were you?"

You can't have it both ways. If you want to be Mad Max, you have to be able to take the bad along with the good. And take it alone.

James Bond has a large support team around him. He is often on his own, but he is always a team player and supported by that team.

Wally 'Famous' Amos was asked, "Do you like being independent?" He answered, "I'm not independent. I need people to make, sell, and buy my cookies."

The idea of being a loner like Mad Max appeals to a man's need to be independent. But being an egotistical, anti-social, selfish loner is another thing. As the leader of the good guys tells Max, "I'm a human being with dignity. But you Max, you're out there with the garbage." (meaning the outlaw killers)

Only when we are connecting with people are we truly living.