My theme is, 'The spirit of friendship is the balance of life.'

Listen closely, young ones, for I bring you wisdom spoken by one whose life was rooted in the soil of friendship and joy, not in the fleeting and hollow pursuits that so often fill the hearts of men. Ernie Banks, a man of great renown, a titan of the field, said with simple clarity: “My theme is, 'The spirit of friendship is the balance of life.' Not money. Not the World Series. It's friendship. The relationships I have with people, that's enough to keep me happy.” How profound, how true, these words are—a beacon in the storm of desires and ambitions that so often cloud the hearts of the young and the old alike.

In the midst of a world that has long chased after the shining and fleeting pleasures of wealth, fame, and victory, Ernie Banks turned his gaze inward, to the eternal and unshakable bond between people. His life, and the words he spoke, remind us of a truth often lost in the noise of modern life: that the true balance of life lies not in the glittering riches of gold or the hollow cheers of victory, but in the genuine connections we make with others. How easy it is to become ensnared by the lure of success, to imagine that happiness can be purchased with wealth or achieved through fame, but Ernie Banks knew that such things are but passing shadows. Friendship, he declared, is the essence of life itself.

And so, the lesson is simple, yet profound. Friendship is the cornerstone, the foundation upon which all other things are built. Consider the warriors of old, those whose names are remembered in song and story—Achilles, Hector, King Arthur—men who, though mighty in their own right, were never truly strong without the bonds of comradeship. Achilles fought bravely, but it was his friend Patroclus’s death that ignited the fury that would lead to his own tragic end. Arthur, too, drew strength not only from his sword, but from the fellowship of the Knights of the Round Table. Without their loyalty, their unwavering support, he would have been but a king without a kingdom, a man without a cause.

Yet, how much stronger were these men in their moments of trial, when their hearts were lifted by the hand of a friend, when their courage was drawn from the love and loyalty of their brothers? Ernie Banks understood this, and he lived it every day. His time on the baseball field, though filled with triumphs and cheers, was nothing compared to the quiet, lasting joy he found in the friendships he cultivated, the bonds he forged through respect, kindness, and shared experience. Baseball, for him, was not merely a game—it was the stage upon which he played the greatest role of all: that of a friend.

Let us not forget, young ones, that Ernie Banks did not measure the worth of his life in home runs or awards or fame. No, his joy came from something far more enduring: the relationships he built with his teammates, his family, and his community. It was in the camaraderie of the dugout, the laughter shared with his fellow players, and the respect earned in the locker room that he found his true wealth. This is a wealth that cannot be counted in coins or trophies; it is a wealth that lies in the heart, in the connections we form with those around us.

We live in a world that encourages the pursuit of personal glory, where the World Series or the next big deal are placed on pedestals far higher than the simple and quiet joys of sharing a meal with a friend or offering a kind word to someone in need. Yet, in the words of Ernie Banks, we are reminded that the true balance of life rests not in these things, but in the spirit of friendship. This spirit, once nurtured, holds the power to uplift even the most weary of souls, to turn the darkest of days into a source of light.

Now, let me leave you with this lesson: In your life, do not chase after that which is fleeting, do not allow the world to convince you that success is measured in the number of possessions you hold or the titles you claim. Look instead to the relationships you nurture, the friendships you build, and the love you give and receive. For when your days are done, it is not the gold you have amassed or the awards you have won that will matter; it is the faces of the people who stood by you, the hands that you held, and the laughter that echoed between you. Ernie Banks understood this, and he lived his life as a testament to it. So, walk with kindness, share your joy, and remember: friendship is the true balance of life, and it is in this that you will find your happiness.