How ya doing?

"How ya doing?"
"Good, thanks. And you?"
"Great, thanks."

How many times have I heard or been a part of that exchange?   It's really not that different than two people saying hello to each other.   It's become understood that just because someone asks how you are doing, it doesn't mean they really want you to tell them.   It's just a nice thing to ask, and we all want to be nice.   Likewise, since we know the response they are expecting, the nice thing to do is give it to them, even if sometimes we aren't doing so great.

Every now and then, you meet someone who is completely sincere when they ask this question.   They honestly want to know how you are doing.   I'm always thrown off a little bit by these people.   I give them the standard response and then realize they're still waiting for more - for details.   These people are rare. They are the caring souls that make this world a better place.

Yesterday, I learned that one of these people had passed away.   I feel sad for his family, for my family, for anyone who knew him, because I know how greatly they will miss him.   I can't think of a time when he didn't ask me how I was doing.   He would then follow it up with questions about what I was doing and why.   Honestly listening and caring about the response - such a simple thing but such an extraordinary gift.

The next time I ask "How ya doing?", I'll try to follow his example and really listen for the answer.