“You’re just ok? Why? Is there anything I can do to help?”

Honest to God, this happens to me all the time. You see, I’m an ok guy. If someone asks me how I am, I usually tell it like it is – unless I feel like crap. I’ve come to learn folks aren’t that interested to know how you’re doing, passing in the halls. I’m smart enough to know it’s a throw away question, 9 times out of 9. Still, I feel the weight of two moods on my shoulders when asked.

Yes, I’m that naive.

How many times has this been you: a victim of mood inflation? When did ok become the new blah? Hell, sometimes good isn’t enough to satisfy the mood monitors. Everything’s gotta be great.

“How are ya John?”

“I’m ok. You?”

“Oh, I’m great!”

“Yeah? Well f… you.”

Just so you know, I’ve never said that. I haven’t even thought it. Well, maybe once or twice.

I’m lucky to be coasting along somewhere in the middle, between the high and low. If I always shot for great I’d be more depressed than I already am.

Do you think those people really are great? How is it possible to maintain that level of enthusiasm? Even if they are, what kind of pressure does that kind of expectation create? No wonder they think so little of ok. For them, experiencing such a low must feel like the apocalypse is upon us.

Or maybe they just spend a lot of money at the pharmacy.

Wait a minute. I spend a lot at the pharmacy! I must be doing something wrong.

Very wrong.