Since When?

While watching television the other night I noticed a commercial that was advertising a special MLK sale.

Since when did a day of celebration in honor of a great man with great ideas that changed the face of our nation become a sale-able event? A day off school, sure, because every year our daughters bring home projects and little books that they have done to learn about the accomplishments and dreams of Martin Luther King, Jr. A day off work, okay, assuming that all of us understand it is not just a day off work, it is an opportunity to reflect on the words which still ring true today and an opportunity to perform a day of service for others. But a sale, really? You can't sell Martin Luther King, Jr. His words are priceless, his dreams should be ours and his legacy is timeless.

I am deeply offended by this practice. Call your sale ANYTHING ELSE. Please.

To use Dr. King's inspiring words,

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."

It's Okay to Say Crap

When someone asks how you're doing. For so so long "okay" or "good" was just a reflexive response. No thought to the question and no thought to the answer. Any response that deviates from this norm gets attention. I actually go out of my way to avoid the standard responses now. If I'm having a good day, I say more than "good" or "great". If I'm having a not so good day, I use brief but clear words to describe it. It may just be saying that I'm struggling or I'm tired or busy or whatever is weighing me down. It feels good be honest and let go of that fraud that I spoke about yesterday. Whoever has asked me the question won't know how I'm actually doing if I don't give them an honest answer which won't allow us to interact very personally. And if whoever asked the question didn't really want to know the answer perhaps they will rethink asking that question in the future which again will affect on a deeper level the interaction that they have with me.

So. Here is my challenge to everyone. Answer this question as honestly as you can. I don't believe it's necessary to unload all of your troubles in one answer or to deliver that answer in a dramatic "woe is me" fashion. I think a simple but short description of how you are doing is suffice, even if that answer is just saying "I feel like crap". The reaction you get may be surprising and it may be rewarding. You may find someone to listen and maybe even an offer of help to carry you through. With that said, you may end up feeling worse, BUT I no longer expect myself to have great days all of the time and I don't see those not-so-great days as failures anymore either. They are what they are and I can always believe that tomorrow will be better.