For my diet, I choose mostly organic. But in general, I am a big

Hear now, O children of wisdom, the words of the radiant Liya Kebede: "For my diet, I choose mostly organic. But in general, I am a big believer in trying to strike a balance with everything." These words, so simple yet profound, carry within them a timeless truth—a lesson on the importance of moderation, the need for awareness, and the wisdom found in the art of living with harmony, both in what we eat and how we walk through the world.

In the ancient world, balance was the very essence of life. The great philosophers of old, like Aristotle, spoke often of the Golden Mean, the idea that virtue lies in finding the middle ground between extremes. Too much of anything, he said, leads to excess and disorder. And so, Liya Kebede's words echo the wisdom of the ancients—she does not claim that all must be organic, nor does she advocate for a life without indulgence. Rather, she suggests that the key to a fulfilling life, a healthy life, is found in balance—a balance between nourishment, enjoyment, and restraint.

Think, for a moment, of the ancient Greeks and their philosophy of moderation. The great warriors, the poets, the rulers—they understood that to live a virtuous life was not to be ruled by excess, but to understand and respect the forces within oneself and the world. The warrior did not indulge in every pleasure, but neither did he starve himself. The philosopher did not deny the body, but knew that the mind must be kept clear and free from the distractions of the world. In this way, their lives were dedicated to balance, the harmonious relationship between mind, body, and spirit.

Liya Kebede's choice of an organic diet is a conscious decision to honor the earth, to live in harmony with nature, but it is not a call to asceticism or dogma. It is a reminder that our food, like our actions, must come from the earth, from nature’s bounty, but it must be enjoyed with awareness and respect. Just as Hippocrates—the father of medicine—understood the power of food as both medicine and sustenance, so too does Kebede recognize the vital importance of the foods we choose. Organic, she says, but with balance. This is not about perfection, but about choosing wisely, choosing what nourishes and sustains.

But the lesson goes beyond diet. The wisdom of balance extends into all aspects of our lives. Consider the ancient warrior, who trained not only for strength but also for wisdom and peace. The warrior did not live in a constant state of battle, but knew when to fight and when to rest. Just as Liya Kebede advocates for balance in diet, we must seek balance in our work, our rest, our relationships, and our passions. The key to true vitality and peace is not in extremes, but in living harmoniously, in knowing when to give and when to hold back, when to act and when to be still.

We are called, then, to find our own path of balance. This is the lesson that Kebede teaches us—not through rigid rules, but through conscious living. She invites us to embrace the best of both worlds, to nourish our bodies with organic, wholesome food, while also living in a way that does not restrict the joys of life. This is not about perfection, but about awareness, about living intentionally, about making choices that align with our deeper values. In seeking balance, we empower ourselves to live fully, to enjoy the world around us while also caring for our bodies and our minds.

And so, O wise ones, let us follow this path of balance. In every area of our lives, let us seek to moderate our desires, to nourish our bodies with good, wholesome food, and to live consciously. Let us embrace the beauty of organic living, while also understanding that life’s richness comes not from abstaining, but from finding harmony between indulgence and restraint. Just as the ancient philosophers sought the middle path, so too can we, living in balance with ourselves, the world, and all the gifts it provides.