I AM...
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Hall Way Talk
1/03/2008 12:22:00 AM
I ran a couple of errands today and was helped by a man who asked, "So how was your New Years?" I paused for a moment and then realized that I can no longer say "fine, thanks" when someone asks me a question like that. I can't say it when asked "How are you?", either. It's amazing to me how often we all say that -- when we don't really feel it. It's automatic, isn't it? Or it was. "Before".
How often are you in a conversation that entails the following?
Person 1: How are you?
Person 2: I am Fine, I am OK, I am Great, or any other phrase along this line
Person 2: How about you?
Person 1: (One of the infamous lines)
Really, think about it. I don't believe I can even think back and count how many times it happened to me today just because of how often it occurs. Do you really think that many people are good every time you talk with them? (Maybe you have this effect on people, but I sure don't)
So how and why does this occur so often? Are people just not honest with each other? With themselves? I believe there are 3 main reasons this takes place. First, and probably the most common, is that we are creatures of habit. But that is really just an inane reason, after all, how did that habit get started in the first place, thus leaves the final 2 reason. I want to believe that people think that we need to be happy all the time, thus if we aren't happy there is something wrong with us. The idea of something being wrong has a negative and unhealthy connotation to it. To avoid having others view us negatively we put on a smile and say we are great. The final, and somewhat related, reason is that when we are hurting there are some people (arguable most people) that we would just rather not have to explain to what is going on. Whenever someone does in fact respond saying they aren't well it leads to either awkwardness in the conversation or inquiry of the issue.
One of the most respected man I look to for guidance by word and example is Pastor Doyle
Theimer. One of the best things I believe I have learned from example is his ability to express how he actually feels in the most truthful way possible without offending or scaring the receiver of the comment, but still making you aware that he is struggling with something.
Without blabbing on for too much longer... PLEASE take off the "happy mask" and say how you are really feeling.
More to come later... Maybe.
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