text: The 52 year old is profoundly wise.\n\nBeing afraid of getting sick is no reason to pretend to fall in love.\n\nAn addictive Jones for having the attention of other people does not add meaning to your life.\n\nThere's an old, powerfully important Greek story about Diogenes.  That story sounds like it is about your co-worker.  Here's a link to what Diogenes found by living alone without vanity nor comfort:  http://www.blupete.com/Literature/Biographies/Philosophy/Diogenes.htm