Day 23 - How are you?

"Fantastic."

"Great."

"Good."

"Doing well."

"Fine, thank you."

"OK"

"Meh."

"Not well."

"Shitty. And you?"

(choose one)

When exchanging pleasantries, there are days when "Just OK" is accurate.  And, there are days when it's a lie.  When someone responds to "OK" with, "Just OK?", and you reply back, "Just OK," do they really want to know if you're not OK.  Perhaps.  Perhaps not. But, sometimes, it's all you've got to say.

I've become much more cognizant over the years of how people respond when you greet them.  When I have time, I'll try to inquire for more details.  At times, I don't have time.  So, I try to find something encouraging to say.  If I can make time, I'll ask if they have time later to talk. 

But, do you ever hope they'll ask you?  Or, do you avoid the conversation all together? I've been there, done that.  Sometimes, I wish they'd ask.  Still other times, I hope they don't ask.

I think we're supposed to "consider one another, to provoke unto love and good works." Well, that's the writer of Hebrews words, not mine (yes, that's KJV).  Paul says we're supposed to "be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." (NIV)  Good words to try and live by; wish I was more successful at it.

What's the gist of this?  I'm thankful for people that want to know how I am doing.  I work to be a person that wants to know how others are doing.  And, I'm trying to not be so busy that people don't think I want to know, because I do.