One reader of this newsletter wrote to me saying that she believes we may be a nation on the verge of tears, a country in need of a collective good cry. She proposed something along the lines of a National Day of Weeping. I can imagine us all, weeping out the frustration, fear and sadness. And feeling much better for it.

There’s been so much change and loss in the last few months. So much anxiety in the press and on television. Families and organizations are dealing with the impact of economic meltdown, suffering very painful and personal consequences.

I also wonder if some Democrats may be experiencing a kind of postpartum depression, depleted after a long presidential campaign that required all of our positive energy and every ounce of our reserves of faith in the future.

Suddenly, the future is here, and it’s really, really scary.

I am not against weeping.

If a phase of your life (or your organization’s life) has ended or you’ve suffered a loss of self or status or confidence, take the time to weep. Grieve loudly. Get angry. Blame. Question. Cry.

DON’T read The Secret. Never believe that you created your current situation because you didn’t think positively enough. Loss happens. Mourn it.

But in between bouts of crying, allow yourself to begin to get curious.

Find yourself a journal and write.

Whether you are unemployed, underemployed, scared about the future for yourself and your organization, or mired in the anxiety of the moment, the way through starts with written reflection.

You may shy away from your journal at times like these, for fear of sounding whiny. But if you do, you are missing a golden opportunity to glean the wisdom from amidst the tears. Let yourself whine for a few sentences, and then shift into explorer mode.

Whatever transition you are in the midst of (and no matter how busy you are!) begin to take regular breaks from the madness to reflect on these questions:

• What have I learned today? About myself? About the world?
• What do I really miss about the old life?
• What am I so glad to have left behind?
• Who am I?
• Really, who am I?

A study of 160 people with less than three months to live (reported by John W. Santrock) showed that those who felt they understood their purpose in life faced less fear and despair in the final weeks of their lives than those who had not.

Something similar is true about other periods of loss and transition: You will experience less fear and despair if you know what gives your life meaning.

How about a National Day of Curious Reflection?

Finding your way through a major transition requires both genuine grieving and whole-hearted curiosity about your purpose in life.

Yes, I’ll support the National Day of Weeping. But let’s make the next day our National Day of Curious Reflection.