Conservative columnist David Brooks explores the four commitments that define a life of meaning and purpose: to a spouse and family, to a vocation, to a philosophy or faith, and to a community. Our personal fulfillment depends on how well we choose and execute these commitments. Brooks looks at a range of people who have lived joyous, committed lives, and who have embraced the necessity and beauty of dependence. He gathers their wisdom on how to choose...

A little bear explains that he cares about the feelings of others and that others care about him.

Simple text and photographs show different ways of being helpful and showing that you care.

Explains what caring is and ways that you can show you care.

A little girl's smile as she skips down the street in New York inspires a neighbor to send cookies to her grandson in Mexico, and the good will soon spreads around the world.

"We often think of our capacity to experience the suffering of others as the ultimate source of goodness. Many of our wisest policy-makers, activists, scientists, and philosophers agree that the only problem with empathy is that we don't have enough of it. Nothing could be farther from the truth, argues Yale researcher Paul Bloom. In [this book], Bloom [posits that] empathy [is] one of the leading motivators of inequality and immorality in society....

Gives examples of ways that people demonstrate the virtue of caring for others by showing kindness, forgiveness, empathy, and gratitude.

Suggests ways of caring for other people and being helpful to family members, friends, and others.

Describes caring as a virtue and suggests ways in which caring can be shown, such as recycling, donating to charity, helping others, and listening.