Of course we need independence, but who says that should mean

The wise and compassionate Jo Frost, known for her insights into the human heart and the bonds that hold families together, once said: “Of course we need independence, but who says that should mean doing everything alone and in isolation? That won't make us stronger. Together is always better.” In these words lies a profound truth — one that speaks not only to parents and children, but to all of humankind. For in every age, people have mistaken independence for separation, and strength for solitude. Yet the greatest strength of all is not found in isolation, but in unity, in the shared light of companionship, cooperation, and love.

The origin of this quote lies in the eternal tension between two forces that shape all human life — the yearning for freedom and the need for connection. To be independent is to stand upon one’s own feet, to possess dignity, and to exercise will. But Frost reminds us that independence need not become loneliness. Just as a tree grows firm because of its roots, not apart from them, so too does the human spirit flourish when it stands tall yet remains entwined with others. The one who walks alone may move swiftly, but the one who walks together reaches further.

Consider the ancient tale of Sparta and Athens, two mighty cities of Greece. When they stood divided, each glorying in its own pride and power, their quarrels led to ruin. But when Greece united against the invading Persians, when soldiers from rival cities fought shoulder to shoulder at Thermopylae and Salamis, their strength became legend. Independence gave them identity — but unity gave them victory. Frost’s words echo that same eternal law: self-reliance without fellowship is brittle, but cooperation transforms the fragile into the unbreakable.

Even in the natural world, this truth abides. The lone wolf may be fierce, but it is the pack that survives the winter. The single thread can be snapped, but a woven cord endures the pull of time. Humanity, too, is woven of such threads — each person distinct, yet each belonging to the tapestry of all. To live entirely apart is to forget that life itself is relationship. As the philosopher once said, “Man is a social creature.” Frost’s words breathe new life into that old wisdom, reminding us that true independence is not rebellion against others, but harmony with them.

In our modern world, where self-sufficiency is praised and solitude mistaken for power, Frost’s teaching arrives like cool water in a desert. She does not deny the need for independence — indeed, she honors it. But she shows that strength without support becomes strain, and freedom without friendship turns hollow. The soul, like the body, requires nourishment — and that nourishment comes through connection: the smile of a friend, the counsel of a mentor, the shared burden of struggle. Together is always better, not because it is easier, but because it is truer to our nature.

We see this truth shining in the story of the Apollo 11 mission, when humanity first walked upon the moon. Though one man, Neil Armstrong, took that fateful step, he did not do so alone. Behind him stood thousands — engineers, mathematicians, dreamers, and builders — united in a single purpose. It was not the triumph of one, but of many working as one mind, one heart. Their independence of thought, their individuality of skill, found fulfillment only through their unity of mission. Such is the power of Frost’s wisdom: that the highest achievements of mankind are born from togetherness, not isolation.

So let this be the lesson passed down to all who listen: seek independence, but never sever connection. Be strong enough to stand alone when duty demands it, yet wise enough to reach for others when life calls for union. Build your walls high enough to protect your soul, but keep your gates open for those who come in peace. For the world is not a battlefield of solitary heroes — it is a great family, bound by invisible threads of compassion and purpose.

And thus, remember Jo Frost’s truth: “Together is always better.” The mountain may be climbed alone, but the view is sweeter when shared. The victory may be won by the brave, but it is preserved by the loyal. Let us therefore live not as islands, but as bridges — strong, connected, and enduring. For independence without unity is emptiness, but unity with independence is the fullness of life itself.