There’s a word we use over and over. Fine.

How are you? Fine.

I’m sorry I did that to you. It’s fine.

Are you ok? I’m fine.

Sometimes I don’t think we’re even aware we’re doing it. I got caught saying “fine” a lot the last several days. Yesterday, one of my friends called me out. “Is it? Is it actually fine?” Nope. Not even a little bit.

I am overwhelmed, over-busy, over-stressed. So much is happening, not any of it bad or overwhelming in and of itself. But, when all the things get together…it’s a lot.

That coupled with the fact that this part of October still hangs over me like an albatross waiting to take me down, it’s…well…fine…or not.

I found myself repeating the same set of phrases over and over today. “It’s fine. I’m fine. You’re fine. We’re all fine.” It’s almost as if…