To Be Able to Say I Am Fine

When we encounter friends we haven’t seen for a while amid the rush of daily life, we usually greet them quickly and ask, “How are you?” Perhaps because of the mundane nature of our lives, we automatically respond with the same reply: “I’m fine, how about you?” But what truly lies behind this phrase?

Are we genuinely well, or is this response merely a routine line that has become part of our monotonous existence? When we say “I’m fine,” are we concealing the shame of a life devoid of change and excitement? Perhaps the real answer should be: “I’m just drifting through the routine of my increasingly ordinary life.” Even though we never voice it, the true meaning behind “I’m fine” is often exactly this.

So what does it truly take to be able to say “I’m fine”? It is not necessary for every day to be different, colorful, or full of excitement. Of course, such moments greatly affect our mood, but they remain exceptional events that occur only a few times a year.

The real point is recognizing that being able to say “I’m fine” is not limited to good moments. The true value of well-being becomes clearer during difficult times, when we long for the very routine we once took for granted. Arguments with loved ones, unsolvable problems, losses—these are the very things that remind us how precious ordinary life truly is.

If we must assign value to a single moment, it should be gratitude for the misfortunes we have avoided. The ordinary life we experience—comfortable, with work that rewards our effort—is a great blessing to many. The ability to communicate easily with loved ones is priceless to those living amid war, under the threat of bombs.

One ought to live each moment with gratitude. Naturally, our human nature drives us to always desire more, yet gratitude is both a religious duty and an indispensable necessity for preserving mental well-being.