How many times have you said the words “I’m Fine” and really meant it?

How many times have you said the words “I’m Fine”, but deep down inside you knew you didn’t really feel fine?

The phrase “I’m Fine” has become one of those phrases we say without thinking about it. Without really being present with whether we are feeling fine or not. We say it when people ask us:

How are you today? I’m Fine.

How are things going? Things are going Fine.

How is your family? They are Fine.

We say it so much it has become a mantra of sorts. If I just keep saying “I’m Fine”, maybe I WILL be Fine. If I keep saying everything is Fine, maybe, just maybe everything WILL be Fine.

A couple of the definitions of FINE are:

• Superior in kind, quality, or appearance; of highest grade
• Marked by or affecting elegance or refinement in manners; very well
• Choice, excellent, or admirable

When you say “I’m Fine”, do you feel superior or awesome? Do you feel excellent? Do you feel Very Well?

I don’t know about you, but I don’t usually feel these things when I find myself saying “I’m Fine”, I might feel adequate, average or neutral, but not usually excellent or awesome. How about you?

What if we could get rid of the phrase “I’m Fine”? What if we took the time to check in with ourselves and actually state how we really are when someone asks us? How would our daily life and daily interactions be different?

Here’s a challenge. For one day,

1) Notice when you are about to say “I’m Fine”.

2) Stop yourself.

3) Check in with yourself and notice what you are really feeling. Then say something about that instead.

4) Notice what happens.

How does that feel for you? How is your interaction with the other person different? How does the other person feel or respond when you say what is really going on for you?

I’d love to hear your comments and experiences.