how are you.

"how are you?"

how many times do we ask this question a day?

"how are you?"

"oh, i'm fine."

how many times is asking the question "how are you?" an automatic thing when we come in contact with an individual?

do we really care?

truly care

about what is going on in the person's life that we just addressed with the question?

how many times do we accept the "i'm fine" answer and just carry on or walk away when we have the feeling that the person is not truly "fine"?

a few days ago, i was at an event and i saw someone that i knew.

we approached each other and happily greeted one another.

i had already begun the automatic routine of asking her, "how are you?" when she also ask the same question at the same time.

and we both, also at almost the exact time, answered, "i'm fine."

after walking away from the lady, it occurred to me:

i am in the habit of asking the famous question:

"how are you?"

and not. even. listening.

i asked the question with the mindset of it just being "routine" in the greeting process.

what if that lady was just searching for a person to pour her heart out to?

what if she was yearning for some "girl time" to be able to just talk?

via

this was a huge eye opener for me.

it made me think:

how many people in the world answer the typical "how are you" question with a typical "i'm fine" when really they're not?

what if they're really and truly hurting inside?

what if they are experiencing heartache and sorrow?

i know for me, it made me want to really look out for the feelings of the individual who answers, 

"oh, i'm fine."

i want to stop and really listen to their answer instead of asking the question and hardly slowing my pace.

i want to be the kind of person who will be there...i want that person to know, truly know, that they can truthfully answer me in the way that they are really feeling.

i want to be able to be available.

to be able to comfort.

to be able to pray for.

to be able to laugh with.

to be able to rejoice with.

so truly, how are you?

remember,

you are loved and you are treasured.


xoxoxo.

it's a...

remember this post?

the one that i shouted to the world that i would be an aunt TWICE in the month of july?

welll...

the results are in:

sister and bro-in-law are having a 

BOY.

the name:

colt {no middle name chosen at this time}

and

brother and sis-in-law are having a 

GIRL.

the name:

joanna claire

picture taken at their gender reveal party.

this is one beyond happy aunt.

let the shopping begin.