Karen hurled her first affirmation at the park bench like a grenade: “I am capable!” A squirrel paused mid-scamper. The bench’s owner, a man with a face like a grumpy punctuation mark, squinted. Karen pressed on. “I am worthy!” A leaf spiraled down, landing on his lap. He flicked it away. “I am…” Karen paused, then shouted, “UNSTOPPABLE!” The squirrel launched into a tree. The man stood, muttering, as Karen twirled, arms wide. “See?” she yelled to no one. “Positive vibes!” A breeze tousled his hair. He blinked. Then, slowly, he smiled. Karen high-fived the squirrel.
