I find it almost comforting to count calories, because it makes

In the eternal quest for balance, where the body and mind must remain in harmony, there exists a deep and ancient truth: life is a dance between restraint and indulgence. Kristen Bell captures this beautifully with her words: “I find it almost comforting to count calories, because it makes me conscious of what I'm eating. But on Super Bowl Sunday, I thought, 'Surrender to it. It's nacho time.' Then I ate nothing but Doritos all day.” This lighthearted confession reveals the tension between self-discipline and the human desire for freedom, a tension that has echoed throughout history, from the ancient philosophers to modern times. Bell’s moment of surrender, where she chose to indulge without guilt, speaks to the ancient wisdom of recognizing that true well-being comes not from the strict control of our impulses but from understanding when to embrace them.

The ancient Greeks understood the value of moderation, yet they also recognized that the pursuit of virtue and wisdom required a life not devoid of pleasure, but one where pleasure was enjoyed in its rightful place. Aristotle, in his teachings, spoke of the Golden Mean—the balance between extremes. He believed that virtue is found not in excess, but in choosing what is appropriate for each situation. Bell’s choice to give in to the pleasures of nachos on Super Bowl Sunday reflects this very idea: sometimes, in moments of celebration or joy, it is wise to surrender to the indulgence, to fully engage in the experience without guilt. For the Greeks, self-discipline was not about rigid control at all times, but about knowing when to let go and embrace life’s pleasures.

In Rome, Cicero echoed a similar sentiment, teaching that balance was the key to a harmonious life. The Roman statesman was deeply concerned with the way the mind and body could be enslaved by excessive indulgence, yet he also acknowledged that pleasure could be a part of a virtuous life. Cicero would not have condemned the joy of indulgence, but he would have urged us to recognize that excess should not dominate our lives. In this sense, Bell’s embrace of a day spent enjoying Doritos mirrors the Roman understanding of joy—pleasure should be enjoyed when it serves the soul, but it should not be a daily habit that takes the place of moderation and awareness.

Seneca, the great Stoic philosopher, often warned against the temptation to indulge in what he called superficial pleasures, but he also understood that the human experience is rich with moments of indulgence. Seneca did not demand asceticism at all times, but instead encouraged mindful indulgence—a practice of enjoying pleasures without allowing them to control us. He would likely have seen Bell’s indulgence in Doritos on Super Bowl Sunday as a moment of surrender, but one that was made in the awareness of life’s impermanence and joys. This lesson from the Stoics is about learning to enjoy the things that bring us happiness while maintaining our sense of purpose and balance.

Consider the story of Alexander the Great, whose journey toward greatness was not just fueled by military conquests, but by moments of human indulgence. Known for his brilliance and courage, Alexander also indulged in drink, rich feasts, and celebratory moments that stood in stark contrast to his disciplined nature. His story is a reminder that even the greatest of minds and warriors need balance—that moments of indulgence, such as eating freely at a feast, are part of the rhythm of life, provided they do not overwhelm us. Bell’s joyful surrender to the pleasures of Doritos on a Sunday is not an abdication of self-control, but a recognition of the need for balance between discipline and freedom.

The lesson embedded in Bell’s reflection is that health and happiness are not achieved through rigid control or unyielding restraint, but through balance—the ability to know when to indulge and when to exercise discipline. Life is not about the perfection of our actions, but the awareness with which we approach each moment. It is not about seeing a day of indulgence as failure, but understanding it as a part of a full, rich life—one that includes both moderation and celebration. In the ancient wisdom passed down through the ages, we are taught that true vitality comes from the freedom to enjoy the pleasures of life in harmony with our goals and principles.

So, as you go forth on your own journey, remember the wisdom of Socrates, Cicero, and Seneca: life is not to be lived in rigid extremes. It is a dance of discipline and indulgence, where each moment is embraced for what it offers. Like Bell, we can choose to surrender to the joy of a moment without guilt, knowing that our path to well-being is shaped by our awareness and choice. Let each indulgence be a moment of freedom and each moment of discipline be one of empowerment. It is not the extremes that define us, but the wisdom with which we navigate the balance of life.