Healthy Weight, Healthy Outlook: A Reminder to Prioritize Ourselves
- Shanthi Mariappan
- Feb 1
- 3 min read
What does being healthy mean? It’s not only about fitness or nutrition but it also encompasses the overall well-being of both mind and body. While exercise and movements nourish the body, practices like meditation, gratitude, and acts of service rejuvenate the mind. Additionally, lifestyle choices, a positive attitude, and daily habits all contribute to our long-term health.
Choosing to maintain a healthy weight and keep a healthy outlook both serve as a reminder to prioritize ourselves. It’s a chance to reflect on the foundational habits that build a healthy life.
I remember a famous proverb in Tamil language “சுவர் இருந்தால் தான் சித்திரம் வரைய முடியும்.” The proverb means: “Only if there is a wall, can a painting be drawn” and signifies that a foundation or support is essential for achieving something. Just as a wall is needed to draw a painting, a basic foundation or circumstance is necessary to accomplish any task or goal. Let me walk through a story to describe it.
The Wall and the Masterpiece
Once upon a time, in a small village, lived a famous artist known for painting breathtaking murals. People from far and wide came to see his work, marveling at the vivid colors and intricate designs that seemed to bring walls to life.
One day, a wealthy merchant approached the artist and said, “I want you to paint a masterpiece for me. Money is no object!” The artist smiled and agreed.
The next morning, the merchant brought the artist to an empty field and said, “Here, paint my masterpiece. I want it to be the finest painting you’ve ever created.”
The artist looked around, puzzled. “But where is the wall?” he asked.
The merchant scoffed, “You’re the great artist! Surely you can create a masterpiece without a wall.”
The artist shook his head and replied, “A wall is the foundation of a painting. Without it, my brushstrokes have no purpose, and my vision has no place to come alive. If you want a masterpiece, we must first build a strong, sturdy wall.”
And so, they built the wall. Only then the artist created his masterpiece, a mural so magnificent it became the pride of the village.
Just like the artist needed a wall to create his masterpiece, our health and well-being need a strong foundation. Let’s explore how small, consistent habits—our ‘bricks’—can build a wall that supports a masterpiece of health, energy, and happiness.
Building Your Healthy Wall
The aspects shown in the image provide a concise and actionable way to approach building healthy habits across different aspects of life. You might also like to read 5 Ways to Improve Longevity in 2025.
Why Build Your Wall?
By focusing on these aspects, we can create a strong “wall” of healthy habits that supports long-term well-being. Start with small, manageable habits, and layer them over time to build a strong, enduring structure. This will lead to a “Healthy Weight, Healthy Outlook” in a unique way since each individual is special in their own way. Read more about focusing on healthy habits and not quick fixes.
Building these habits ensures that, regardless of your age or career stage, you’ll maintain independence and self-sufficiency. Whether it’s picking up a pencil, sitting on the floor and getting up, or performing daily activities with minimal support, a strong foundation of health helps you live your best life.
Call to Action
What is the one habit—or ‘brick’—you will focus on to build a foundation for lifelong health? Share it with a friend or in the comments to inspire others in their journey toward wellness.
The Future of Connection for Women
I am Shanthi, and I have been in the IT industry for 18+ years. I was looking for a platform to share my knowledge with other female friends and learn from other girls, then I found Her Nexx Chapter. America is a land of opportunity, even though I had a lot of bumps in my career journey. I’m the Founder of the Stayfit4Health platform which constantly motivates and encourages female friends in their workouts and leverages the energy within each one of us. I help to translate your soft skills into leadership skills wearing a leadership lens, and I’m open to conducting mock interviews. My hobbies are cooking, running (half-marathon runner), cycling, swimming, hiking, and reading. I have climbed the Himalayas twice (Bakariya top and Mali pass).
