Ask YOURSELF ‘How are you?’
Couple nights ago, I saw a ‘long-time-no-see’ pal, we hugged for a few moments and she asked, “How are you?” I moved my hands in a wave like motion and said “up and down”. She smiled through both her lips and eyes. That resonated with her. I know that resonates with many.
I’m not depressed nor am I out of reasons to be glad as I do have more for me than against me, but certain aspects of life are just hard at times, growing-evolving is not all that easy, (though I know it’d be harder to perpetuate sameness). Our short convo went on about our peers, about how there’s this unspoken acceptable way of being, it’s the ‘all is well/I’m cool all the time’ face.
“I’m over that.”
“I’m over that too Steph”
To polish and wear this mask -if at all or- all the time is exhausting, and plain unnecessary.
You simply can’t give what you don’t have. I think we at times put the mask on for ourselves first, in fear of not being able to handle whatever it is we’re faced with (no pun intended). We are addicted to treating symptoms other than dealing with the root of the issue then become addicted to what we choose to use to front with.
I think genuine living lies on believing one possesses intrinsic worth, and in the knowing no journey isn’t coupled with struggles, no character isn’t scarred with flaws, no path becomes straight without a learning curve, no good story isn’t faced with a tragedy or major injustice. Yet no person’s worth lies in those things, THAT’S where you can love on yourself as opposed to self-condemn, THAT’S when the mask can come off, when you can be with yourself as you are… and when you can be with yourself as you are, you can be with others as they are.
It’s a beautiful thing. Try it.
Pick up a mirror once in a while and ask yourself
‘How are you really?’
by stephanie santos
