If I had a nickel for every time someone asked me, “Are you doing okay?” then I’m pretty sure I’d never have to worry about what size Starbucks drink to order.
“Okay” has to be the most subjective word in the entire universe. (I mean, it’s why John Green just went ahead and completely redefined it. Okay? Okay.)
A question that I’ve rarely been asked, but have come to appreciate a heck of a lot more is, “Are you happy?” Why? Because happy to me doesn’t mean you can’t also be sad or frustrated or melancholic. It just means that overall, on any given day, you’re happy. You smile or laugh, more than you frown or cry.
The last time I was asked this question it literally made me stop what I was doing and made me focus on what I was being asked.
I wasn’t being asked how I was holding up after my grandmother’s death. I was not being asked if I still miss my grandmother. (DUH.) I was not being asked if I’ve been able to move on. The question did not emphasize my grandmother’s death, it emphasized me.
“Are you happy?”
Yeah, I am.
I have really hard days, yeah. Sometimes life gets a little to much, sure. But am I happy? Yes, I am.
Now my important question to you, are you happy?
Image: WeHeartIt
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