Chapter 20
When Family Drama Crashes the Party
The card tables were drawn out, sets made up for boston, and the count’s visitors settled themselves, some in the two drawing rooms, some in the sitting room, some in the library. The count, holding his cards fanwise, kept himself with difficulty from dropping into his usual after-dinner nap, and laughed at everything. The young people, at the countess’ instigation, gathered round the clavichord and harp. Julie by general request played first. After she had played a little air with variations on the harp, she joined the other young ladies in begging Natásha and Nicholas, who were noted for their…
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Critical Thinking Exercise
Crisis Response Audit
Think of the last three times someone came to you with a real problem or crisis. Write down what you actually did versus what Natasha did. Did you Stop (drop your agenda), Sit (be fully present), and Solve (offer specific help)? Rate your response honestly and identify which step you typically skip.
Consider:
- •Most people rush to the 'Solve' step without doing 'Stop' and 'Sit' first
- •Your natural tendency might be to minimize problems or compare them to your own
- •The quality of your crisis response determines whether people will come to you again
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when someone responded to your crisis the way Natasha responded to Sonya's. How did their response change your relationship with them?
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