CHAPTER 9 SOCIAL SUPPORT: GIVING AND RECEIVING ASSISTANCE AND ENCOURAGEMENT ``We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.'' --W. A. NANCE 1 So far we've mostly discussed how you can build resilience and coping skills from within. Now let's turn to the importance of giv- ing and receiving social support--another key to resiliency. Think of the fellow employees with whom you interact on a daily basis. For that matter, think also of your family members, friends, and other people who matter to you. How would you like your rela- tionship to be with these people? Would you like to compete with them all the time? Suppose it's a continual question of who gets ahead or falls behind, and that determines your worth. You can never let your guard down and relax, to say nothing of working cooperatively with them. 135