And Then What Happens?
A song about second-order thinking - looking beyond immediate consequences to what happens next
A whole plate of cookies, chocolate chip, I want to eat them, every last bit! If I eat them all right now, I'll feel so happy, wow oh wow!
And then what happens? Think ahead, One step is good — keep going instead! And then what happens after that? Let's follow the chain a few links out!
If I eat all the cookies, my tummy gets full, AND THEN my tummy feels heavy and dull, AND THEN it's really hard to play, AND THEN I'm sleepy the rest of the day!
AND THEN I have no cookies for tomorrow, AND THEN I feel regret and sorrow, See how one choice leads to more? That's second-order thinking — watch it pour!
But second-order works for good things too! If I plant a seed, here's what's true: First a sprout, AND THEN a tree, AND THEN there's shade for you and me! AND THEN birds come and build a nest, AND THEN we hear them sing their best!
And then what happens? Think ahead, One step is good — keep going instead! And then what happens after that? Let's follow the chain a few links out!
So before you choose what you will do, Ask once, ask twice — keep asking through! Three, four questions down the line, And then what happens? You'll be fine!
And then what? (And after that?) Think ahead! (Know where you're at!) And then what happens? Think it through, Second-order thinking helps you!