I try to work out my mind more these days. I try to eat right. I

In the grand tapestry of life, the ancients understood that true strength lies not only in the body, but also in the mind. Mr. T's words, "I try to work out my mind more these days. I try to eat right. I don't drink, I don't smoke, and I take the skin off chicken. But I'm not on no special diet. I like my steak and potatoes, ice cream, doughnuts," reveal a profound truth: balance. It is the delicate balance between discipline and indulgence, between nurturing the body and allowing room for life's simpler pleasures, that leads to true strength. Mr. T does not adhere to the extremes of fad diets, but instead embraces a lifestyle that acknowledges both the importance of health and the joy of living fully.

The ancients, too, knew that health was not found in the extremes of asceticism or indulgence but in the balance between them. Socrates, the father of philosophy, famously said that "moderation in all things" is key to a life well-lived. He, too, sought a balance in his daily actions—he nourished his mind with thought and debate, and his body with simple, wholesome sustenance. In this, Socrates embodied the wisdom that Mr. T echoes in his words. To work out the mind, to discipline the body, and to enjoy the pleasures life offers—these are the steps to vitality and strength. Both Socrates and Mr. T understood that self-control is not about denying oneself the richness of life, but about finding a balance between the things that nourish and the things that bring joy.

Consider the example of the great Spartan warriors who, like Mr. T, were known for their strength, discipline, and physical prowess. The Spartans did not live in deprivation, nor did they abandon their pleasures; they embraced a life of balance, working diligently to train their bodies while honoring the rhythms of nature and the simplicity of food. While their diet was simple, their strength came not from harsh restriction, but from the daily choices that honored their bodies and minds. They were not consumed by excess, nor were they consumed by excessive restraint. Much like Mr. T, they understood that in the dance between indulgence and discipline, one must find harmony, for it is in that balance that the truest form of strength resides.

The wisdom of Aristotle, too, resonates in Mr. T’s words. Aristotle, the great philosopher of ancient Greece, championed the idea of moderation as the foundation for a virtuous life. He understood that excessive indulgence in one’s desires, whether for food, pleasure, or rest, leads to a life of imbalance and ultimately, decay. To be virtuous, Aristotle argued, was to cultivate a sense of harmony between the body and mind, and between discipline and joy. Mr. T reflects this ancient philosophy, not through the denial of his desires, but through his awareness of his choices—he understands that health comes from working out the mind, maintaining discipline in his habits, and enjoying life's pleasures without excess.

In the teachings of Confucius, we see a similar understanding of balance. Confucius taught that the path to wisdom and virtue is through moderation, and that all things must be done with care and restraint. To overindulge, he warned, is to lead a life of imbalance and suffering. Mr. T’s approach to health—working on the mind, eating with discipline, but allowing space for indulgence—echoes the teachings of Confucius. By honoring both his mental and physical health, he follows the middle way, the path that acknowledges the importance of balance, discipline, and joy in living a full life.

What, then, is the lesson we must learn from Mr. T’s words? It is that true strength comes not from rigid adherence to extremes, but from living with awareness and balance. In every aspect of life, whether in our diet, our exercise, or our approach to pleasure, we must be mindful. Like Mr. T, we can work to strengthen the mind, to nourish the body with what it needs, and to indulge in the pleasures of life without excess. To deny ourselves all that brings joy would be to live a life devoid of vitality. But to indulge recklessly, without discipline, would be to lose sight of the true purpose of life—balance. Strength, as the ancients taught, is found in the space between these two extremes.

Let us, then, follow this timeless wisdom. Work on the mind, nourish the body with what it needs, and indulge in life's pleasures with moderation. Let us cultivate discipline in all things, but also celebrate the simple joys that bring happiness. Mr. T’s example reminds us that we are not bound by the extremes of society’s rules or the pressures of perfection, but that true vitality and strength are achieved through balance, awareness, and a healthy respect for both the mind and the body. In embracing both our discipline and our joy, we can walk the path of true well-being and strength.