Thank you very much. It is wonderful to see everyone coming together for the success of the new Long Boat. Everyone one of you is equally important in the success of this endeavor. As a heart doctor, I am very excited to be a part if this, especially the wellness component. There are several activities planned including rowing and triathlon which is great for heart health. Being a cardiologist, I thought I would share a little piece of advise on wellness that is guaranteed to change your lives. In my daily practice as a physican and healer, my attention is not just trying to fix the mechanical, electrical and plumbing components of the heart, but to focus on the well being of the individual as a whole, that is mind, body and spirit. In my definition of wellness, the mind plays a central role. If any part of the body is affected by illness, the mind is restless. The converse is true as well. If the mind is restless and under stress all the time, diseases can sprout. Let’s look at wellness using a tree as an analogy. Our hands, legs and body can be compared to the trunk and branches of a tree. Our five sense senses and internal organs are like the leaves and fruits of a tree. To keep the tree healthy you water the roots not the leaves or the branches. Our mind can be compared to the root of a tree. To ensure a healthy body, the mind has to be kept calm and still. Everyone one of you has the potential to achieve inner calm and peace of mind. I am happy to share with you a simple technique to help you realize this inner potential that will give you peace of mind and in turn great health and well being. This involves something that you do several thousand times a day, that is your breathing. If you want to learn more about this, I would be happy to talk with you individually. Thank you very much and enjoy the evening.
