Chapter 108
The Girl in the Yellow Dress
Prince Andrew had to see the Marshal of the Nobility for the district in connection with the affairs of the Ryazán estate of which he was trustee. This Marshal was Count Ilyá Rostóv, and in the middle of May Prince Andrew went to visit him. It was now hot spring weather. The whole forest was already clothed in green. It was dusty and so hot that on passing near water one longed to bathe. Prince Andrew, depressed and preoccupied with the business about which he had to speak to the Marshal, was driving up the avenue in the grounds of…
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Critical Thinking Exercise
Joy Audit: When Others' Happiness Reveals Your Numbness
Think of someone whose enthusiasm or joy has recently irritated, confused, or surprised you. Write down what they were excited about and your exact reaction. Then dig deeper: what might your reaction reveal about areas where you've gone emotionally numb? What did you once care about that you've stopped noticing?
Consider:
- •Your irritation at others' joy often points to your own unmet needs or abandoned dreams
- •Numbness isn't failure—it's often a protective response to disappointment or overwhelm
- •You don't have to match their energy level, just notice what your reaction teaches you about yourself
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when someone else's authentic happiness forced you to confront how you'd been sleepwalking through part of your life. What did you do with that realization?
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