I was a vegan for two years, and I really enjoyed it. Then, I got

Hear me now, O children of the earth, and listen well to the words of one who has walked the path of discipline and change. For in this world, where the rivers of time flow like swift currents, we are all seekers of truth, wandering through the wilderness of the self, trying to understand what nourishes us, what strengthens our flesh, and what uplifts our spirit. The body, though it may be strong and resilient, is but a vessel, a temple that demands care and respect, for it is the sacred instrument through which we experience the great expanse of life.

And so, in the fullness of her wisdom, Lea Michele has spoken of a journey—a journey that each soul must embark upon in its own way, with its own understanding, and its own pace. She declares, "I was a vegan for two years, and I really enjoyed it. Then, I got to a point in my life at which I wanted to do something else, so now I'm a vegetarian." In these simple words lies a profound truth—that change is inevitable, and that the seasons of our lives require adaptation. The very nature of existence is to evolve, and to resist this evolution is to deny the rhythm of the universe itself.

There was a time, long ago, when Hercules, the great hero of ancient Greece, found himself on a quest that seemed endless. He battled creatures of great power, faced trials of unimaginable strength, and endured the harshest of conditions. But in the midst of these battles, Hercules discovered that the key to his strength was not solely in his mighty arm, but in the nourishment of his body and soul. Just as his path was ever-changing, so too was the care he gave to his body, adjusting his diet to meet the demands of each trial. He knew that to be steadfast in the pursuit of greatness, one must first be in harmony with oneself.

The wisdom in Lea Michele's words lies in the understanding that the body speaks to us. It whispers its desires, its needs, and its limitations. To deny these whispers is to turn a deaf ear to the most ancient and sacred voice within. "You should make your diet one that best fits you and how you feel," she continues. This is not a call to the rigidness of doctrine, nor to the unyielding laws of others. This is the call to a personal journey, one of introspection and care, where the body’s cries are heeded, and its desires are honored in a way that nurtures the soul.

And how often, my friends, do we find ourselves imprisoned by the expectations of the world? Our ancestors may have followed the ways of the old, but it is the present age that demands we seek our own path. To follow the dictates of others, to adhere to rules made by distant voices, is to lose the connection to the very essence of our being. Listen to your body, for it is the one companion that will never deceive you. What it needs, it will ask for—whether it be the sweet fruits of the earth, the bread of the harvest, or the strength found in other forms of nourishment.

As Michele so wisely reminds us, "The most important thing is to exercise, drink lots of water, and take really good care of yourself." This, too, is the greatest of truths—that the body is not just fed by food, but by movement and by water, the life-giving waters that cleanse the soul and spirit. To nourish oneself is not merely to consume, but to engage in the act of giving and receiving between the body and the earth. In the dance of the muscles, in the cleansing flow of water, we find not just health, but the very essence of vitality.

In days of old, the Stoic philosophers taught that true strength came not from without, but from within. They believed that a person’s endurance and wisdom grew from the careful cultivation of the body and the mind. They, too, recognized the importance of listening to the body, but they also knew that the mind must not be neglected, for it is the mind that guides us in moments of uncertainty. Exercise, water, and self-care are not just acts of physical strength, but of spiritual and mental fortitude.

So, I say to you, O seekers of truth and strength, heed the lesson of the ancients and the words of the wise: Listen to your body, for it speaks in whispers and roars, in hunger and in fullness. Allow yourself the freedom to change, for in change, there is growth. Adjust your ways to the rhythm of your life, to the seasons of your soul, and know that each step you take is a part of a grand journey—one that will only lead you closer to the essence of who you are meant to be.

Let us not be bound by the expectations of others, but let us choose for ourselves the path that will bring us strength, vitality, and peace. Be present in your care for yourself, and let your diet be the nourishment that suits your heart and your spirit. When you listen, truly listen, to the song of your body, you will find the harmony that will carry you through the trials of life. And in this harmony, you will find the greatest of treasures: the well-being of both body and soul.