Macon Magazine

76 maconmagazine.com | April/May 2026 economic well-being? And do we also prioritize the building of community and relationships as much as is needed?" Murthy delved into his own personal experience, discussing the paradox that while it is great for a person to focus on their own goals, it can often hurt relationships and lead to less happiness within oneself. "So I want everyone to recognize the power and importance of relationships and community, and to feel like they have the permission to make that a priority in their lives, invest their time, their effort, their energy in building community," said Murthy. "If we can do that as individuals, then we can start making [connection] a priority in our communities more broadly, which is reflected in how we allocate resources, in the policies that we develop and shape, and the programs that we build. Then I think we can build a society that's strong, vibrant, and resilient because it will be ultimately grounded in social connection." While Murthy discussed his philosophy, he also talked about his time in Macon and how he saw his own teachings reflected. "There's a lot that I'm taking away from the brief time in Macon," said Murthy. "I feel tremendous appreciation just for the enthusiasm here to actually build a stronger sense of community and for people's engagement and doing the work of community building." Besides the public event, he attended meetings with groups like Ocmulgee National Park and Preserve Initiative or Macon Mental Health Matters. Murthy spoke about the deep sense of service that runs through the heart of Macon and how he saw hard work to support the community. He went into detail about how there is always someone willing to put in the work and give back to their hometown. Another thing Murthy found interesting was Macon's unique way of handling large projects. Rather than relying on large organizations to institute new programs, individuals push for change and do so successfully through opportunities like micro-grants. He observed how dedicated Maconites are to reflecting on and building from their past. Murthy believes Maconites are working to grow, and they do not let past conflicts and tragedies define their behavior nor separate themselves from each other. "And at some level, we also need to be able to have real conversations about our stories and what we've been through," said Murthy. "It doesn't mean we have to solve everyone's problem. It doesn't mean that we have to completely reconcile and resolve all the injustices that we may have all experienced. But I think that there is great power even in knowing that somebody acknowledges what you've been through, but they respect your experience and that they see you fully for who you are." When asked if the doctor had any prescription to give to Macon, he found that he didn't. Rather, he talked about the good foundation that Macon and its community had, and how larger cities like Washington, D.C. could learn a lot about the good that a strongly built community can bring about. "I always tell my team that we need to get out on the road. We need to go reengage with communities to be inspiring, to be reminded of who we're serving and to learn," said Murthy. "And that's what I feel like I've been able to experience here in Macon." In addition to Murthy's experience in Macon, he spoke about what loneliness truly means and how individuals can work to combat it in their own lives. Murthy offers three main insights to reflect on when struggling with loneliness: "First, just recognize that you're not alone. A lot of people are struggling with loneliness. You just can't tell from the outside," Murthy said. "And second, realize that our loneliness is not a reflection that we're broken. And it doesn't mean something's wrong with us, inherently. The third is just to remember that building connection in our lives is about the small steps that we take. It's not about massively transforming everything, leaving our job, moving to a different city." Murthy said that giving back can be one of the most powerful ways to escape loneliness and connect with others. By reaching out and working on volunteer projects, people are able to escape "I feel tremendous appreciation just for the enthusiasm here to actually build a stronger sense of community."

• Cover