How are you, really?
Months ago, the world came to a stand still as we were stopped in our tracks by the Corona Virus Pandemic. Many of us were mandated to stay at home unless it was necessary to leave work, groceries and other life essentials. Even if we were able to work outside of the home, shop for groceries or to check on love ones, the interactions were different.
Months later, we have a new norm. People are still at home separated from love ones, isolated from family or working remotely. The human touch is missing.
When asked, “How are you doing?” many of us quickly respond, “I am fine.” Yet how are we doing, really? When so much is going on in the world, how do you cope? When injustices are blatant with no regard for Black lives, how do you find a place to rest?
The pandemic has us still. We notice things we hadn’t before. We revisited inequalities that have run rampant in our country. We can now empathize with residences of nursing homes because we are isolated. We are still.
Pay attention to how you are feeling. Pay attention to the ones around you. If you find that someone is on your heart or in your thoughts, reach out to them. You can pray. You can send a note. You can make a phone call. Be purposeful.
I am praying that the response to the question, “How are you, really?” will allow all of us to stop and really listen.