This is a test.

When I was younger I watched TV and listened to the radio more than I do now. So, I don't even know if they have these "alerts" anymore. But, back in the day, an annoying sound would blast through the speakers and a voice would announce, "This is a test. This is only a test. If this were a real national emergency, blah, blah, blah."

I've taken to using those phrases, "This is a test. This is only a test." when my live crashes. But I follow it with, "You're life will resume in zero point three (you choose: seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, years.)"

The point is that we are not in the position to stop life from happening. We do not control circumstances. But we are in the position to dictate our reaction to a trauma. And we are also in control of how long we are to react negatively to a trauma.

A friend dumps you. You grieve.

But you are in charge of how long you react. Truthfully, a second is not likely. But there is absolutely no reason to hold on to the grudge, the feelings, that are born in the trauma.

This is a test. This is only a test. No need to wallow in it.