Around the time I graduated from high school, I decided better to

In the stories of the ancients, when heroes set out on their journeys, they often faced a choice between two paths. One path led to glory, fame, and the accumulation of riches, while the other was a quieter, less adorned road that promised companionship, peace, and the warmth of friendship. The choice between achievement and connection is a theme that echoes throughout the ages, and it is captured powerfully in the words of Evangeline Lilly: "Around the time I graduated from high school, I decided better to underachieve and have friendship than to overachieve and be alone." In these words, we hear the voice of wisdom that speaks not to the fleeting desire for external recognition, but to the deeper, more lasting value of human connection.

The great philosopher Aristotle once said, “Friendship is a single soul dwelling in two bodies.” This concept of friendship as the very essence of life’s meaning reflects the ancient understanding that true wealth lies not in what we accomplish alone, but in what we build together with others. Lilly's decision, at the threshold of her life, to prioritize friendship over the endless chase for personal success and achievement, mirrors the wisdom of the ancients. Achievements, though often celebrated by society, can be fleeting, but the bonds of true friendship are eternal. They are the support we lean on, the joy we share, and the solace we find in one another’s presence when the world becomes too overwhelming.

Think of the companions of Ulysses on his long journey home. Despite the many trials and tribulations he faced, Ulysses knew that the greatest treasures he could claim were not those of gold, but the loyalty and companionship of his men. In the face of war and endless wanderings, it was the strength of their friendship that allowed them to endure. Ulysses’ story teaches us that achievement in the form of fame or conquest may bring temporary satisfaction, but it is connection with others, the bond of brotherhood and loyalty, that gives life its true meaning. Lilly’s decision echoes this ancient truth—that to be surrounded by friends is a victory far more profound than standing alone at the peak of personal success.

The lesson in Lilly’s reflection is one that transcends time: the pursuit of personal excellence should not come at the cost of human connection. We live in a world that often exalts individual achievement, pushing us to climb ever higher, to accumulate more, to win at any cost. But in the pursuit of such goals, we sometimes forget what truly sustains us. Friendship, the bond of understanding, support, and mutual care, is the foundation of a life well-lived. This bond is not built on competition or success but on shared moments, on laughter, and sometimes on tears.

Consider the bonds of friendship between David and Jonathan, whose relationship in the Bible is one of the purest examples of loyalty and love. Jonathan, the son of King Saul, could have seen David as a threat to his claim to the throne, but instead, he chose friendship. He chose the bond they shared over the power and glory that came with ruling a kingdom. In the ancient world, these friendships were treasured more than wealth, more than status, because they offered something that material gains could never provide—sustenance for the soul. Lilly, in her choice to value friendship over achievement, walks the path of Jonathan—one who values the soul’s connections more than the fleeting accolades of success.

The message here is clear: in our lives, we often face the choice between striving for achievement and nurturing the relationships that sustain us. While it is natural to desire success, we must recognize that the true treasures of life are the friendships we form, the bonds that are formed not out of competition but out of mutual respect, understanding, and love. These relationships are the ones that will remain with us when the fame fades and the world moves on to the next thing.

In our own lives, we should heed the wisdom of Lilly and the ancients: to seek not the path of isolation through unrelenting ambition, but to value the friendships that enrich our existence. Seek those who lift you up, who challenge you to grow, and who stand by you in times of joy and sorrow. Let friendship be the anchor in the storm, the companion on the journey. Just as the ancient heroes found their strength in the bonds they shared, so too can we find the greatest joy in the relationships we cultivate—relationships that last far longer than any achievement ever could.