I won't sit here and say I've never had a pimple, but I try to

Hear, O children of wisdom, the words of Janelle Monae, who speaks with clarity about the deep connection between diet, stress, and health: "I won't sit here and say I've never had a pimple, but I try to have a really great diet, you know, lots of vegetables and fish. And I think stress plays a huge part too." In these words, she shares a profound truth about the balance between what we eat and the inner turmoil that can manifest in our physical form. For, as the ancients knew well, the body is not merely a machine, but a reflection of the harmony—or disharmony—between the mind, body, and spirit.

In the days of Hippocrates, the father of medicine, the understanding of health was holistic. Hippocrates taught that health comes from the balance between the body and the mind, and that what we eat, how we think, and how we live must all be in harmony. He said, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food,” reminding us that diet is not simply about nutrition, but about sustaining the spirit as well. Janelle Monae’s words echo this ancient wisdom—she understands that diet plays a crucial role in maintaining health, but she also acknowledges the power of stress in shaping our physical well-being. The mind and body are intricately connected, and one cannot thrive without the other.

Consider the great warrior-philosopher Socrates, whose wisdom extended beyond the mind to the physical body. He believed that a life of virtue was one of balance—a life where the mind, body, and soul worked in concert. Socrates knew that stress—be it from the turmoil of the world or the battles we fight within ourselves—can manifest in the body, just as much as it can in the mind. The ancient Greeks were aware that the stress of life, if not managed, could lead to sickness and imbalance. In the same way, Janelle Monae highlights the importance of managing stress in order to maintain health and well-being, understanding that the mind and body are interwoven, and one cannot be healthy without the other.

In the ancient Roman tradition, there was a strong emphasis on self-control and balance. Seneca, the great Stoic philosopher, spoke of the importance of discipline in life, not just in thought, but in diet and action. He believed that true well-being comes from the steady, moderate management of the self, acknowledging that life’s challenges—whether physical or mental—could be overcome by nurturing the body with good food, exercise, and cultivating a mind that is free of undue stress. Janelle Monae’s focus on vegetables, fish, and managing stress aligns with this ancient understanding, as she strives to live a life of balance and nourishment—both for the body and the mind.

But in the modern world, we often forget this ancient wisdom, becoming overwhelmed by the fast pace of life, the demands of work, and the complexities of modern living. Stress becomes an ever-present companion, manifesting in physical ailments like the dreaded pimple, which is a small sign of the body’s struggle to maintain balance. Janelle Monae’s honesty is a reminder that health is not about perfection, but about balance and awareness. She does not claim to be immune to the stresses of life, nor does she claim to live in a state of constant well-being, but she emphasizes the importance of a diet rich in nourishing foods like vegetables and fish, and the need to address the root causes of stress that affect the body.

The lesson, O children, is clear. Just as the ancients understood that true health comes from the harmonious balance of the mind, body, and spirit, so must we understand that our diet and stress levels are inseparably linked. When we feed our bodies with nourishing foods—those that are fresh, whole, and rich in vitality—we not only care for our bodies, but we also create a foundation for a clear and peaceful mind. Likewise, when we take steps to manage stress, whether through meditation, exercise, or finding peace within ourselves, we allow the body to heal and thrive. Janelle Monae teaches us that health is not a battle against imperfections, but a continuous practice of care, balance, and self-awareness.

Thus, O children, let us strive to live in balance. Let us choose foods that nourish the body and the spirit, and let us learn to manage stress so that we may live lives of clarity, vitality, and peace. Just as Hippocrates and Socrates taught us that the body is a reflection of the mind, so must we take responsibility for both, knowing that health comes not from perfection, but from the steady and thoughtful practices that lead us to true well-being. Let us care for our bodies, and in doing so, care for our minds, allowing the two to work in harmony, and live lives filled with strength and peace.