THE TRUTH IS...
Source: https://za.pinterest.com/pin/96686723226592484/
He or she will greet me and ask me this:
Hey, how are you?
My response will vary from:
- I’m okay…
- I’m good…
- I’m fine…
- I’m great…
- I’m well…
Societal norms dictate that I respond in this manner when exchanging friendly greetings. The truth is I’m not okay, I’m worried and I am anxious about my finances, I look at my paycheck and it does not tally with the amount of work that I do. I am anxious because I know at the end of the month the bond for the house needs to be paid, I am anxious because I know that the vehicle finance loan must be paid, the insurance, medical aid, school fees, groceries, fuel, and transport must be paid. I am anxious because some months I do not put anything into the savings account, and I am anxious because often my monthly obligations exceed the paycheck that I receive.
I say that I’m good, but the truth is I’m not good, often I feel alone. Yes, I have family members that are around me, yes, I have friends that I talk to and yes, I have colleagues at work that I interact with, however most of them do not know that I feel like this. Societal norms dictate that I do not burden people with my innermost feelings and thoughts, instead it is reinforced through societal norms that I must always portray an image of being okay and that I am doing well.
I say that I’m fine, I’m great, I’m well, but the truth is my thoughts and emotions are in turmoil. I sometimes question why things are the way they are, I ask myself what role am I suppose to occupy in this life, is this it, is this all life has to offer? Sometimes I wonder if things will get better. I convince myself that one day everything is going to be alright. I convince myself that one day I too will feel fulfilled, that I’ll be happy, that I’ll be content and that I will belong.
The truth is change is a product of intentional actions, not only intentional but intentional and consistent actions. Until ones’ actions are intentional and consistent nothing ever changes.