...and then?

My roommate shared this technique with me a couple days ago. You perhaps are in a tough spot, or fear one coming. Acknowledge this thing's presence. Now ask- and then?

Let's practice.

You get bad news unexpectedly.

And then?

And then you are in shock and can't wrap your mind around it.

And then?

And then you ask a friend for some insight.

And then?

And then he give you great advice and encouragement and it unleashes a torrent of emotion.

And then?

And then you curl up on a rock memorial for a lawn worker past and cry, and cry, and cry.

And then?

And then you notice that when the sun comes out, the snow gathered on the ground, not in the shadows, is melting slowly, moving the grass gently. And that your back is warming up in that same sun and that there's amazing energy in this world.

And then?

And then you call your best friend and she talks to you until you're calm.

And then?

And then you recognize there's a statistics midterm to do. You make hot tea and eat an apple and get to work.

And then?

And then you get an email you were hoping for.

And then you celebrate that good vibe.

And then you finish your midterm, go to belly dancing and rock out a James Brown song at karaoke.

And then it's Friday and there's so much to look forward to this weekend, and so much to be grateful for, and so much more to do and see and think and feel in this world, and all this stuff is just passing, and we're all a bit tougher than we give ourselves credit for.

And then, and then, and then...