I've noticed as of late that when I'm asked "How are you?" in a pleasant exchange, my answer more often than not is "I'm busy."
I don't say it in a curt manner. It just happens to be the first thing that pops into my head.
But "I'm busy" really doesn't answer the question. "Busy" is what I'm doing. "Busy" is not how I am.
Everyone is busy. My colleagues, family, friends are not slackers. We all have a to-do list that tugs at our time. On the busy-ness scale, I probably fall somewhere in the middle--not too busy to miss out on a favorite TV show or get less than six hours' sleep, but busy enough that I'm spending more time than I'd like on the computer screen working on projects.
Today, when I'm asked "How are you?", I'm going to pause for a second, really think about how I really am--not what's racing through my head or what I'm doing--and answer from a place of being.
The answer will most likely be "I'm well, thank you. And you?".
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| Photo by Philip Kromer https://www.flickr.com/photos/mrflip/8917487 |
I think this is what happens when you lead a very busy life and are just rushing from one task to the next to the next. You end up answering anything, just to answer. But the good news is that you are now aware of it, and will be mindful and in the present the next time someone asks you. That's a terrific place to be!maribeth
ReplyDeleteYou nailed it, Maribeth. And yep, I don't think I answered "I'm busy" at all today!
DeleteI needed to read this - "I'm busy" seems to have become my default, too...I need to change that.
ReplyDeleteI think it's the answer of a harried mind...and I feel that way often!
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