The Stoics didn't worship the body, but they respected it as the vessel that carries the mind through life. Epictetus reminded students that the body is given to us to use, and treating it carelessly serves no one. Caring for yourself, the walk, the water, the sleep, the food that actually fuels you, isn't vanity. It's stewardship of the one home you can't move out of. You don't need to chase a perfect body or punish yourself toward it. You just tend it, steadily, the way you'd care for anything you depend on. A rested, looked-after body gives your mind a steadier place to stand.

Inspired by the old idea of the body as given to use. Written by Ugo Charles.