The Walking Dead: People who need people

One of the themes of The Walking Dead is that you need other people to help you through difficult times. “No one can make it alone now,” Andrea said right before she died. Daryl added, “They never could.”

The song from Funny Girl tells us that “people who need people are the luckiest people in the world.”

"We’re children, needing other childrenAnd yet letting our grown-up prideHide all the need inside,Acting more like childrenThan children."

The desire to be strong and independent sometimes prevents us from asking for help when we need it the most. We feel weak asking for help or for needing help when by getting help and joining with our friends and working together we become much stronger together.

There’s a difference between needing people and being needy. We don’t want to be needy for approval or for complete caretaking like a child who can’t take care of any of his own needs. We want to be able to ask for help in areas where we are weak and others are strong and where we can bring our strengths to the table and be part of the whole. “A feeling deep in your soul, says you were half now you’re whole.”

People who need people are the luckiest people in the world.

Sasha is coming out of her deep, dark place by allowing others in when she was shutting them out. She shut out Michonne and Rosita last season, but last Sunday she let Abraham in and talked to him honestly. Abraham. The one she told before that they weren’t friends.

Abraham Ford The Walking Dead – AMC /

Maybe that is why Abraham is feeling so alive. He’s part of a group who is supporting him. He’s showing his need for other people. Before he was so focused that he was always telling people they needed him to save the world, rather than having them feel appreciated and needed as well.

Daryl is trying to let Rick know that needing other people and recruiting more good people is not a weak stance. It helps everyone. Daryl is also showing his own growth from this “no one can do it alone” lesson by telling Rick it was his call, but also speaking up and sharing his opinion.

Michonne and Rick Grimes, The Walking Dead – AMC /

Michonne found herself by cutting her pets loose and coming out of the haze of the walker camouflage and joining the world of the living. Andrea needing her and the baby needing formula strengthened Michonne’s self and independence. She allowed herself to need Rick and Daryl and the group. She got lucky.

As you watch season 6 and even watch old seasons, think about how needing people pops up as a theme. How working together and showing a little bit of need can help and too much stubbornness and isolation or wanting to do everything on your own without any help can get in the way.

Consider The Governor, Carl and the photo, Morgan in Clear, even Beth. Head to the comments and discuss your thoughts and add examples. Are people who need people the luckiest people?

Next: Top 15 Reader-Chosen Dramatic Moments from Season 5

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