One of my favorite summertime treats is generically subtitled "Naturally Flavored Sparkling Water Beverage." I used to feel virtuous about drinking this in preference to soda, until it became quite evident that what it really is, basically, is sugar-free soda without the dye. No matter. I still like it, I still drink it, and I rationalize that at least it's better for me than caffeine. Plus, I'm avoiding all that artifical dye.

Anyway, the peculiar tendency of this product is that it always, always spurts out the top when you open it. I don't know if it's the size of the bottle or the level of the carbonation or what, but at our house we always open these drinks over the sink because you can just count on them spraying. But I was at work with this particular bottle, and I didn't have a sink handy. So, thank goodness the stuff comes in a plastic bottle with a screw-on lid. I loosened the lid ever so gently, let a few bubbles out, then screwed it back on quickly as the stuff surged to the top. I had to do this several times, until finally it got to a point where I could leave the lid slightly loosened and the speed of the bubbles rushing to the top was balanced sufficiently that they didn't overflow.

It just got me thinking. Seems like sometimes the pressure builds up in my heart and mind until I just explode. I fall apart. All my energy spurts out and dissipates into the atmosphere, and I'm helpless to accomplish anything. Wonder what would happen if I tried letting just a few bubbles out at a time?

Here's what that might look like, in terms of self-talk: "Yes, I know the laundry is waiting and the bills have to be paid and this and this and this project all need attention at work, but AT THIS MOMENT I'm just going to deal with the 'get the overdue car registration turned in' bubbles."

Then, an hour later, it might be the "throw in a load of towels so the kids won't have to roll around on the carpet to dry themselves" bubbles. Soon the "what shall I fix for dinner" bubbles will rise to the top, but they can wait their turn. I really think this might work. All it is, really, is a tacit agreement not to worry about everything all at once.

On the other hand, I don't want underestimate the potential benefits of a good explosion once in a while. Sometimes you just have to let it all go and start over!