Taking Control of Your Life and Health

The Dhammapada, chapter 12, verse 163, says: “Easy to do are things that are bad and harmful to oneself. But exceedingly difficult to do are things that are good and beneficial.”

That definitely describes us as humans. We love the path of least resistance and the instant gratification that comes with it. It’s easier to reach for what feels good right now than to focus on what will benefit us in the long run.

Obesity is a complex health condition, not simply a side effect of poor lifestyle choices. Medication can help some people lose weight and improve their health. But losing weight doesn’t automatically build habits that support long-term well-being. Weight loss can be a real achievement; it just may not address everything that contributed to the problem in the first place. And these medications can have side effects.

Let’s be clear: health is not about becoming a size 2. WTF! A smaller clothing size isn’t the only measure of health, and using medication isn’t a moral failure. But no medication can do all the work of learning to care for yourself.

For the love of everything good, let’s also learn to train our brains. That doesn’t mean relying on willpower every second or expecting perfection. It means practicing choices that support us over time—moving our bodies, eating in ways that nourish us, and getting enough rest.

Mental clarity can help us make better choices, and those choices can support our physical health. The goal isn’t to punish ourselves into a new body. It’s to build a healthier life, one decision at a time.