Whenever I feel out of sorts, I try to find a way to go to the ocean. I know that when I have reached the end of my rope, being near the sea will set me right again. For me, the ocean is a place of rest for my soul. Sometimes I find that just standing still and listening to the waves flowing in and out…in and out… in and out… is a lesson in how to breathe again. As the water moves back and forth, over and over, my breath begins to slow. I start to relax. All of my senses become engaged. The sight and sound of the waves, the feeling of the wind coming off the ocean and the soft sand under my feet, the smell of salt in the air — all coming together in a moment of deep meaning. I feel calm. The ocean is so powerful, yet also peaceful and beautiful. In this place, I can find my balance again. I can stand on my feet again. And I can walk steadily back into the world and try again.