Gemotions

The emergency intercom crackled with static, but no voices emerged. The trapped feeling was real, and it was getting hot. Jennifer was close to tears, and Steve was looking at the control panel with a look of extreme frustration. I, though, focused on something else.

I sat down on the floor, and I began to analyze. I was calm. It was not a choice; it was just the way things were. I began listing all the things in the elevator: the control panel, the lights, the metal panels, the emergency phone. I made a mental list of everything I could see.

I closed my eyes, and I focused on my breathing. In, out. I was not anxious. I was simply present. I took a few more deep breaths. I knew we would eventually get out. No need to panic. I was already doing everything I could.