Hello friends,

There’s a question we likely hear all the time:

“How are you?” Or “How you doing?” Or “You good?”

Sometimes the question has meaning, but other times is just a series of polite noises, asked in public by someone we barely know. The intention behind the question depends on the tone in which it is spoken. Sometimes the question needs the conjugation of the verb “to be.” Other times, the verb gets dropped altogether, in a more casual rush.

And here we are, back to tone, because any of these formations can be close, intimate, and caring or false, polite, or distant.

But what I’m pondering today is how to answer that question. Lately, I’ve taken to offering a two part reply. I begin with acknowledging the horror show too many of us are living in, globally and close to home. Then I mention that I, overall, am doing well.

How I am doing could be considered to be in conflict, or an expression of paradox. But in reality, that’s just life, isn’t it? I feel angry and happy at the same time. I’m enraged and hopeful. I want to escape and to create. I seek to help with the small stuff while sometimes complaining sardonically about the larger stuff that feels out of my control.

One day, I post about distributing whistle packs and the next, I remind people I have a new book on Kickstarter. On the same day, I reach out to friends about mutual aid, share info on community organizing, and drink tea, take a walk, do my work, and read a book.

I worry about our way-too-mild winter and lack of snowpack on the mountains while appreciating the early buds of spring and the cheerful busyness of the black capped chickadees on bare branches.

That’s how I am, plus more.

How are you? And how do you answer that question?

And how is your heart?

Best wishes — Thorn