Have you lost your joy? Day 10

‘I’m fine’ becomes a moat. ‘I’m fine’ is one of the quietest sentences in the laguage-andsometimesthe loneliest. When joy things, asking for help feels dangerous. IF she stops sharing even small frustrations, she’s likely protecting a tender center.

Years ago, an older colleague-sharp as a tack, admiredby everyon-started answering every check-in with ‘I’m fine.’ I tried a different approachL instead of ‘How are you?’ I asked, ‘What’s one thing that’s heavier than it should be this week?’ After a long pause, she told me. It wasn’t catastrphic. It was cumulative. We worked out two praxctical tweaks, nothing heroic. Weeks later she said, ‘I forgot how good it feels to be helpful.’

If this is you: ‘I’m fine.' for one try sentence with one safe person. You don’t heave to hand over your whole heart. A corner will do.

If you recognize yourself in even one of these, please knwo this: joy isn’t a personality you either have or your don’t. It’s a weather pattern-and weather changes. Choos one tiny act of welcome this week. Ask for company. Say yes to a small plan. Let a compliment land. And if you’re the friend reading this and someone comes to mind, send the text. What’s the gentlest, smallest thing you could do in the next 48 hours that might let a little light back in?