I don't want to be on such a strict diet that I don't have fun.

Hear now, O generations to come, the words of wisdom spoken by Joan Smalls, a modern sage who, though her name is sung not in the ancient halls of power but in the limelight of the present age, imparts to us a lesson that transcends time. "I don't want to be on such a strict diet that I don't have fun. So if I eat sweets, I'll just put in more of an effort when I go to the gym." These words, though spoken in the context of personal health and physical appearance, carry within them a profound truth about the balance of life, the harmony between pleasure and discipline, between enjoyment and effort.

Long ago, the wise philosopher Socrates spoke of the balance of virtue, arguing that it is not in excess that the good life is found, but in the golden mean. To live only in discipline, forsaking all joy, or only in indulgence, forsaking all responsibility, is to be trapped in an eternal struggle, torn between two extremes. In the pursuit of perfection, we must remember that we are human, fragile and imperfect, and in that very imperfection, there is beauty. Joan Smalls, too, understands this delicate dance, for she has seen the world of fashion and beauty, where the external is often worshipped, yet she has never forgotten the importance of balance.

Let us consider the story of the great warrior Alexander the Great. Though his military genius led him to conquer the known world, he was not without his flaws. His love for the pleasures of life was well-known: he reveled in feasts, in fine wines, and in the indulgence of his senses. Yet, he also understood the importance of effort. For every feast, he would rise early, leading his men in battle with strength and resolve. His life, though marred by excess, was a testament to the power of balance—to indulge and yet to conquer, to enjoy life and yet face the struggles of the world with unwavering spirit. He did not see indulgence as weakness, but rather as a part of his humanity, a force to be embraced, not shunned.

So it is with the wise words of Joan Smalls: enjoy the sweets that life offers—whether it be the pleasures of the palate or the joys of your heart. But, remember, it is not enough to merely enjoy; effort must follow. It is not enough to eat and expect the body to carry you without care. It is not enough to live in the moment without understanding the consequences of your actions. The gym, in this context, is not merely a physical space; it is the effort you put forth in life. The discipline required to live a balanced life, where you can experience the fullness of joy while embracing the effort that will bring you to your highest self.

Let us also recall the tale of Hercules, whose strength was legendary. In one of his twelve labors, he faced the task of cleaning the Augean stables, a task so great that it seemed impossible. Yet, he did not shrink from the effort. Rather, he saw it as an opportunity to display his strength, his resolve, and his effort. It is the same with us. When we choose to indulge, to enjoy, we must not shy away from the work that comes after. The challenge is not in the pleasure itself, but in how we rise from it, how we make the effort to continue, to grow, and to live with balance.

In the wisdom of Joan Smalls lies a great teaching for all who hear her words: do not live in fear of the sweetness of life, for it is a gift, a joy to be savored. But understand, as she has, that it is the effort that shapes us. It is in the effort that we find our true strength. When you eat your sweets, when you indulge in the fleeting pleasures of life, remember to work with vigor, to rise with courage, and to face the challenges that life presents with the same enthusiasm you brought to your joy.

So let us take this wisdom into our own lives, knowing that we too must strive for balance. Enjoy the fruits of your labor, the pleasures that come your way, but also rise each day with effort and discipline. Whether in the gym, in your studies, or in your work, let no indulgence go without a companion of effort. In this, you will find the true power of life, a strength not born of denial, but of balance—a harmony of joy and struggle that will carry you forward through all things.

Let this teaching resonate in your hearts, O future generations. Seek not the extreme of joy alone, nor the cold embrace of discipline. Walk the middle path, where joy and effort unite in perfect harmony, and in that balance, you will find the power to conquer both the external world and the world within.