The Margaret and Ruth Principle

I found this on Steve Roesler's blog:

The story [is told] of two ladies who lived in a convalescent center. Each had suffered an incapacitating stroke. Margaret's stroke restricted the use of her left side, while Ruth struggled with the use of her right side. Both of these women were accomplished pianists. Both had given up the hope of ever playing again.

The director of the center decided that there was a solution. So he sat them down side-by-side at a piano and gave them solo pieces to play together. They did.

The result: beautiful music, new friendship, and a sense of hope.

You know, we are socialized to consider complete independence as the ultimate good in our western culture - particularly in the United States. But is that realy such a great good after all?

It is not necessary to go it alone.