How are ya?

What's one of the most cliched lines you use to comfort or to encourage others in their difficult times? Is it something like "Oh...cheer up! We all go through seasons in our lives. Just hang in there till a better time comes" or "Everyone goes through difficult times too..." and etc...

Is it just me? Or does anyone else feel like those lines are so overused that it has become some sort of a platitude.

Aren't you tired of replying "Oh, I'm doing just fine, thank you" or "Nothing much" to the numerous "HOW ARE YOU"s or "HOW'S IT GOIN'"s? Those greetings have just become so plain and meaningless, don't they? And, we in turn become like telephone answering machines, regurgitating those same "I'm fine, thank you" lines in reply.

Have you for a second, even stopped to think that maybe, just maybe you're NOT always 'fine' or 'alright'? Have we become so afraid to let people know how we really feel?

And, the people who ask those questions, for the most part, really just want you to reply 'Yea, I'm alright' and hastily move on with their agenda.

How many of our "How are ya"s really do mean something?

How many of us can truly claim that we're 'just fine, thank you' ALL THE TIME?

I'm not trying to advocate poverty eradication or world peace. But, I am a firm believer that the biggest outcomes start from the smallest beginnings. A heartfelt whisper is more meaningful than an elaborate speech void of sincerity. If we could all just be a tad bit more genuine with something as simple as a greeting, who knows the extent of lives we are able to impact.

So, seriously, "How are ya"?