For years I have been going to the South of France to cool out.

For countless generations, the human spirit has sought solace from the toils and burdens of daily life, turning to nature, the sea, and quiet havens to restore balance to the soul. Suzanne Somers’ words, "For years I have been going to the South of France to cool out," carry with them the weight of this ancient truth. In a world that moves ever faster, where the pace of life leaves no room for rest, the soul yearns for a place to breathe, to cool out, to step away from the chaos and find peace. The South of France, with its golden shores, tranquil landscapes, and timeless beauty, has long been a sanctuary for those seeking refuge from the storm.

The wisdom of retreat is not new. In ancient times, wise men and warriors alike would journey to places of peace, places where they could find clarity, away from the demands of the world. The Greeks, who valued both the mind and the body, often took time away from their city-states, retreating to the mountains or coastal shores to restore their strength and focus. The philosophers and leaders knew that one could not pour from an empty cup; to lead effectively, to think clearly, one must first recharge. In this sense, Somers’ journey mirrors this ancient practice. She seeks not just relaxation, but the vital restoration of her spirit.

Consider the example of Alexander the Great, who, in the midst of his conquests, took brief moments of respite in the lands of Persia, seeking peace in the quiet of nature before charging once again into battle. These pauses in his campaigns were not signs of weakness but acts of strategic wisdom. The warrior who rests is the one who fights with renewed vigor. Just as Alexander understood the importance of balance, so too does Suzanne Somers recognize the need for moments of peace amidst her busy life.

In the heart of every human is a desire for balance—the eternal dance between activity and rest, between action and reflection. The wisdom of resting in places like the South of France is not merely for the sake of escape, but for restoration. It is in the act of stepping away from the demands of the world that we often gain the most profound insights into who we are and what we seek. The quiet allows for reflection, for connection with deeper truths that are often drowned out by the clamor of daily life. To cool out, as Somers puts it, is to find a space where the soul can heal and where the mind can reflect.

This truth was known to the Romans as well, who built their villas in serene places, nestled in the hills or by the coast, where they could step away from the grind of leadership and take time to recharge their minds. Cicero, one of Rome's greatest thinkers, often retreated to his country estates, understanding that the mind, like any weapon, needs rest to remain sharp. The lessons of ancient wisdom are clear: taking time for oneself is not indulgence—it is a necessary act of self-care, one that nurtures our ability to live, to create, and to lead.

Let us now turn to the lesson that lies before us. We live in an age where the pressure to perform, to achieve, to produce, often takes precedence over all else. The treadmill of modern life, with its constant demands, threatens to wear us down, to leave us bereft of strength and clarity. Yet, as Suzanne Somers wisely reminds us, the path to vitality and power lies not in endless exertion, but in knowing when to step away, to find a space where we can cool our minds and spirits.

The lesson, then, is simple yet profound: we must seek balance. We must create spaces for rest, for peace, where we can be still and allow the burdens of the world to melt away. The journey to the South of France may be symbolic of a larger truth—the need for pause in our lives. Whether it is in a distant land or in the quiet of our own hearts, we must seek out these moments of rest. In these spaces, we restore not only our strength but our clarity and our purpose, returning to the world with renewed vigor and wisdom.