How Are You?

How Are You? How are you? is a very complex question that most take much too lightly. How (adv): in what way or manner, by what means? Or it could be meant as, to what extent, degree? Or perhaps, in what state or condition? Or for what reason? One should specify which use of the word how they mean before asking such a thing― a question that requires an intense amount of inquiry. If you mean the first— in what way or manner, by what means— then I must examine my state of being, the emphasis placed on are. In terms of examining one’s state of being much is to be considered; mind, body, soul. It could be taken quite simply and literally, such that, when asked How are you? one is forced to reflect upon their existence, as in How are you here or alive. This direction of questioning would involve a very complex web of consideration. It is too broad a question, How are you? It leaves too much room for the existentialist to fall into their own mind and fall further into despair. I believe what people mean by asking How are you? is, In what state or condition are you? But what is also implied is that the question is an automatic phrase meant to prompt the automatic response good. A shoddy question eliciting a shoddy response. But for those of us who are not good. And furthermore, or rather especially, for those of us who are deeply considering the state of their being, mind, body, and soul, the question is an insult. You mean to ask me such a profoundly personal question so simply, so plainly, so uncaringly, expecting the careless use of a word that is meant to describe something of high quality but not great? How careless we have become with things of such importance. As for me, I have a commitment to myself. To honesty. To my body. To my mind and soul. So my answer would start with a series of serious questions; Do you actually want to know how I am? Or are you just saying that to start a conversation, to be polite, or because it simply popped into your head? Because if you don’t care I cannot and will not put my energy into sharing something so personal. If you do not care, then I cannot answer. Please do not ask me such a question again. If you do care, then my answer is this: My heart hurts...