Someone asks ‘how are you?’, and our tendancy is to give a short answer; “fine”, “good”, “meh”, etc.
A much more honest and complete way to answer would be to do a bit of a self-check, and say how we’re really feeling:
“Well, I’m doing pretty good, actually; my body is comfortable in this chair, but my jeans are a bit too tight in this position… I’m feeling a bit annoyed at my tonal earbud, but I’m working on making it fit better… this song is really pretty so I’m enjoying that, and my mind is busy thinking… I’m having a good day and am in a good mood… All in all, I’m good! Thanks!”
We don’t answer like that because we think no one cares. We think no one has time to listen to us. We think no one honestly wants to know how we honestly are.
Well, guess what? I care. I have time to listen to you. I really want to know.
So, how are you?
Have you read the Connection Manifesto? It tells the story of why there is so much hurt and sadness in the world, and how we can heal through connection.
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Not bad, all things considered. I’m coming down with a sinus infection, by which I mean that I’m self-medicating like crazy and sending my body good healthy vibes and am determined to be feeling better and better over the next few days, despite all the work I have going on and the fact that we are initiating a last-minute move this weekend. No room for pessimism in this boat, y’all!
Anyway, I just did a load of dishes and my herb pot is clean so Marty will make me some spicy ginger tea and I will have some Jack Daniels in it, and then later we’ll go down to Whole Foods and beg them for a vat of fresh ginger juice. To put in my neti pot.
Oh yes. I am that badass.
I’m trying to be cheerful, although it’s a little difficult for me to do that when I’ve been around machine noise for too long, and I’ve been subjected to a stove fan for 4 hours straight (except for the bit where I was showering, and then it was the bathroom fan) and then lawn guys using extremely noisy equipment right outside my window when I was trying to get some downtime.
It’s fairly quiet now, though, so I expect to improve as the day goes on!
I just moved into a new apartment (yay) which is sadly lacking in STUFF (boo) like a can opener and chairs. however, i have a microwave (yay) though not a stove at the moment cuz the gas is out (boo) but since i have a microwave and some dishes and microwaveable food i am eating (yay!) though terribly unhealthfully (boo). i’m VERY sore from moving on saturday (boo) and about out of painkillers (boo) so i hurt hurt hurt! i don’t have internet here yet (boo) so i’m mooching wireless (yay)…. but i have good music (yay!). my boyfriend is miles and miles away (boo) but he’s talking to me on aim (yay).
it’s a mixed bag, but the general trend seems to be towards things getting better rather than worse, so i’m going to just be aight with where i’m at and wait for time, drugs, and some shopping to fix the tihings that are sub-optimal at the moment.
i guess the best we can really hope for in life is for things to trend better, so i’m doing pretty good i figure. i hope that your lives are also trending towards better.
Well, I’m actually doing surprisingly well. My job has just started a new school year, and after working this summer in the same classroom I’m happy to see all of the fantastic changes that have happened because of the new teacher in the classroom. I’m a little tired, but I’m remembering what it’s like to sincerely laugh, which I feel like I haven’t done for a while in front of a lot of people. So that’s very nice. The weather outside is perfect and that’s making my day even nicer. At the same time, I have a lot of homework I need to finish by Thursday night so I’m a little nervous I won’t get it all done.
How are YOU doing?
Briana,
I’m okay. I’ve had weird insomnia the past two nights and only gotten about 5 hours of sleep since Sunday, so I’m in a pretty wonky state. I’m excited about this blog and the readers we’re getting, like you! (: I’m happy in spite of the sleep-dep. Tomorrow, we’re taking our son to an unschooling park day to hang out with friends, and I’m looking forward to that. And I’m about to load a couple of books onto my new Kindle, which is very exciting indeed.
Thank you for asking! (:
not so spiffy. it’s now 6: 40am and i just realized i’ve spent all night reading this blog, because i was upset and reading is one of the few things that makes me feel better… unfortunately, it only really works when it’s escapist, and your (wonderful) blog keeps poking my brain to actually deal with things, generally the things i’m upset about and not ready to deal with.
and now i’m worried that i’m sounding whiny and like i’m making excuses instead of actually doing anything useful.
but i *do* have things to read and think about later, after my brain digests a few more concepts you’ve put forth.
I’m just hoping that eventually, I’ll figure enough of my life out to make it manageable.