Laughter swirls around me, loud and echoing, but I can barely hear it over the sound of the pounding in my chest. My heart is racing, a wild drum slamming against my ribs with a sound so loud I wonder if anyone else can actually hear it. My face is burning, but my hands are ice cold.My fingers are tingling as if they don't even belong to me anymore. The ground beneath me is unsteady. Feels like the floor is tilting, but also like the whole world is threatening to tip me over.I scanned the room for an escape ...

[music] I want you all to think about the ocean. What comes to mind. Perhaps an image of a warm beach with the sun beaming down.Maybe you're picturing yourself in the tropical waters of the Caribbean or the colder Cape Cod waters. When I ask this question, my brain flashes to the cover image of Jaws or a rip current taking me away or a mysterious piece of seaweed sweeping my foot as I attempt to enjoy my swim. If you can't already tell, I despise the ocean and truly all bodies of water.I have to describe my ...