Change Proof: Leveraging the Power of Uncertainty to Build Long-term Resilience

CHAPTER 7

Harmony

There is an Indian proverb or axiom that says that everyone is a house with four rooms, a physical, a mental, an emotional, and a spiritual. Most of us tend to live in one room most of the time but, unless we go into every room every day, even if only to keep it aired, we are not a complete person.

—RUMER GODDEN

This morning when I went for my daily swim, I had to be in harmony with myself. Why? Because otherwise, I’ll drown.

Ocean swimming is an intense physical experience. It’s not a lap pool at the local YMCA. Although that is a perfectly acceptable alternative, for me, my favorite place to swim is the sea. Because it’s so daunting. The sheer force of it boggles the mind even when I’m in it. As a result, it takes every bit ...