As is polite, people often ask upon meeting up (whether vitually by phone or in the flesh): "How are you?" or some variation on that theme. For awhile, I tried the honest approach in responding -- it just seemed a bit more authentic: "Could be better" or "stressed" or "working hard" seemed like a real communication, which seemed important.

Most recently, however, I've opted for the following: "Fine. I've stopped checking." This tends to cause a pause, but generally people seem to appreciate the answer. I know I appreciate the simplicity of it.

Not the simplicity of the words, but the simplicity of what they convey.

I'm fine.

In that I'm still alive and in the present moment, which is the one true point of power, I'm fine.

I've stopped checking.

In that I've stopped checking, I've moved some distance away from Self-Absorption -- and that's a good thing. After all, what good comes of the big SA?

Why opt for navel-gazing (anatomically speaking, not militarily or fruit-ish)?
It gets so boring.

Today,(Veteran's Day 2009 -- or Remembrance Day as it's known in some countries)-- I choose to see the blessing of life, liberty, and the opportunity to know happiness.

As a character on a favorite TV show ("Monk" -- the detective, not the ordained guy) said recently: Happiness is a choice.

In a far more profound manner than conveyed on TV, Viktor Frankl wrote of Man's Search for Meaning, regarding the experience of life in a concentration camp in Nazi Germany. That certainly seems like an experience that could be conducive to self-absorption, but Frankl found a different path forward. I recommend the book.