Gemotions

The morning commute was, as always, a crowded affair. Sarah leaned against the cool glass of the train window, watching the city blur by. A gentle smile played at her lips as she reviewed the presentation in her mind. It was polished, professional, and she knew she had done her best. The promotion was a goal, certainly, but not one that stirred any anxieties within her.

Her fingers tapped a steady rhythm on her thigh. When she arrived at the office, she greeted her colleagues with a warm “Good morning!” and a wide grin. She went directly to her desk, made a cup of Earl Grey tea, and began sorting through her emails, a task she usually found tedious. Today, it felt like just another item on the to-do list.

Later, as she walked into the conference room, where the decision about the promotion would be made, she felt the familiar knot in her stomach she always got before a big presentation. This time, however, the knot felt less intense, and her heart rate was steady.