You're right. We are social creatues and it does make us feel could when we look for acknowledgement. And yes, we're programmed (by historical habit) from birth to behave this way. But what has it gotten us. Most people in this world seek happiness from external sources never to find it.
Giving and taking. How can we learn to love with no one to love? How can we practise giving with no one to give to, or patience with no one to irritate us?
Perhaps if you gave up the need for acknowledgement and simply focused on giving things would change. Your wife seems to be an ideal candidate (many delusions and unhappiness) for you to practise with.
Soup ... preparing a potato salad for dinner guests.
