I'm fine.
It looks great!
I'm just tired, that's all.
That's ok.
Nothing.
How many times a day do you lie without even batting an eye? The lady behind you in line who just rammed her cart into your ankle for the second time in 30 seconds is fine, is she? It's ok that your friend didn't call you once all week after swearing she would? That's ok? Really?
Your kid broke an arm, you haven't slept for days, your marriage has been rocky for years, you are nearly completely broke, you are so lonely you've named the pit in your stomach so that you feel like you have company, you have red eyes today from crying last night over something no one even knows about, not from allergies, your friend's new haircut, not exactly flattering, you are haunted daily by mistakes you made decades ago, you have an ex-spouse who's still trying to run your life, you're questioning things that used to be so basic to you, you haven't eaten for days, you've been eating enough for 4 people lately...
Maybe you really are fine.
Maybe it really is nothing.
Maybe you really are just tired.
It could be you and not them.
Or maybe we all struggle sometimes, sometimes with really big things, and we should be able to say so. Why do those seemingly small lies slide so easily off of our tongues? Every time I say I'm fine, and I know it's not true, is that virtuous because I'm not complaining, and not worrying anyone around me, or am I just a big liar who might be denying someone an oppourtunity to help me?
Some people I know tell me how it really is for them, but most people don't. I'm guessing that most lie most of the time. Why? I get being optimistic, and being grateful, and not griping constantly, but I also get that we don't live on earth one at a time. We aren't here alone, because we need each other. The earth will not spin right off of its axis if you tell me the truth when I ask you how you are doing. The world will not stop and stare if you say out loud sometimes that things are not wonderful.
I may not have answers for you, some things may be nobody's business, but for the love of Pete, can we stop lying? I know you and your life are not perfect, you KNOW I'm not perfect, we're not fooling anyone. Well, we might be fooling some folks some of the time. But let me listen, or help, or pray, or support, because you probably need it. And so do I. That's the truth.
