Under the Circumstances

There was a man I would greet every Sunday morning at church. I would say "hello, how ya doin?"


His response was always the same...."well, under the circumstances"....and go on to tell me he was fine or had a good day at work, or the family was planning a trip."


I was always puzzled why he started every greeting that way and began to picture Eeyore's face(since their voices were much the same) when he spoke.


One day I heard myself say the following...


"Hi, (John, not his name, of course) how ya doin?"


And as always, "Well, under the circumstances...."

I heard myself blurt out, "Well, what are you living under there for?!"


I've thought of that many times when I'm going through tough things. I have a choice, to live "under the circumstances" or in spite of them. I choose to live joyfully in spite of them. Is it easy, not always. Do I fake it? Sometimes. But it takes a lot less toll on me in the long run if I choose not to live "under the circumstances."


I'm just sayin....