Let’s commit to building stronger communities—for ourselves, each other, and for the future. ~via Samantha Klein
What can I say about Samantha… someone who for many years now has shown me first hand how what we say and do can influence others. She lives RETURN ON RELATIONSHIP. Sadly, since the current administration has taken power, Dr. Vivek Murphy's heartfelt post was taken down by HHS.gov (#SadButTrue). I searched and was able to replace it with a summary posted elsewhere. /Ted
As someone who spent over a decade building communities online for brands, I’ve often reflected on the difference between cultivating connection for business and building meaningful connection in real life. This question became even more urgent when I decided to pivot my career from marketing to social work—shifting my focus from ROI (Return on Investment) to RonR (Return on Relationship).
A great mentor of mine, Ted Rubin, coined this term: RonR. It’s the idea that relationships—the love, care, and connection we foster—are invaluable. Think about it: your relationship with your mom or your closest friend is likely one of the most important things in your life, yet there’s no metric to measure its worth.
Dr. Vivek Murthy's Parting Prescription for America beautifully reinforces this idea. His message is clear: community is the foundation of health, happiness, and fulfillment. Relationships, service, and purpose—the "triad of fulfillment"—are what truly matter.
Reading his words reminded me why I made this career shift. I wanted to build community where it matters most—with real human beings whose lives and well-being depend on connection. As a future MSW graduate, I dedicate myself to fostering relationships, creating safe spaces for connection, and helping individuals and families find purpose and belonging. This work isn’t about metrics or clicks but healing, hope, and reducing loneliness.
As Dr. Murthy calls on us to choose community, I can’t think of a more urgent or meaningful path forward. Relationships, service, and purpose aren’t just ideals—they’re the foundation for a life well-lived and a society that thrives.
I encourage you to read Dr. Murthy’s Parting Prescription for America (POSTED HERE… https://edition.cnn.com/) and reflect on how we can all prioritize relationships, service, and purpose in our lives. Let’s commit to building stronger communities—for ourselves, each other, and for the future.
#MentalHealth #Community #SocialWork #RonR #ReturnOnRelationship #Purpose #Fulfillment #Connection
Originally posted at Samantha’s LinkedIn
