Dare I ask, how is everybody doing?

In case you haven’t heard yet, Elmo asked a seemingly, simple question the other day and was inundated with responses.

Let me explain, in case you missed it, and yes, I follow Elmo on Instagram. When your niece loves Elmo you also somehow end up following him on Instagram.

But, anyways, the other day, Elmo asked everyone “how is everybody doing?”

And here’s the thing, everyone actually answered Elmo’s question with the realest answers. Elmo ended up on the Today show the next day to talk about feelings.

So, how come everyone actually told Elmo what was really up rather than give the generic, “I’m good” or “I’m fine” or “I’m ok”, here’s why I think that’s the case.

Who doesn’t trust Elmo? I mean I would. In watching Sesame Street again with my niece I see the beauty in that show but truly I love Elmo. He was always my favorite too. I know that if Elmo asked me that question, I’d probably answer honestly too.

But, here’s the other reason, I think, maybe, just maybe, folks need people to talk to about what’s actually going on.

Think about it.

How many times a day do we probably ask that question of colleagues or friends or even family and don’t actually give the time to allow them the safe and brave space to answer the question.

How often are we actually even in the space to hear the real answer to that question? The honest answer.

Far too often we ask that question as a greeting. As a way to start a conversation, but without any intention of allowing the space for the person to truly answer the question.

In our day to day hustle of life, we’ve become programmed to expect the “I’m good”, “I’m fine” or “I’m ok”.

And I’m not faulting anyone for that. We all do it. It’s become ingrained in us.

But, here’s the thing, sometimes the person you’re asking doesn’t have anyone else to share with or they trust you enough to share with you.

So, in Elmo’s case, Elmo got all the answers and truly showcased an over arching sense of loneliness that I believe has occurred since COVID.

I do think many feel alone. Many feel they don’t have anyone they can talk to about the difficult things and some of us may not know how to show up for those real answers, which is fair.

I know I’ve struggled based on what students, colleagues, and friends have shared with me sometimes.

But, as Elmo said on the Today show, “it’s important to let it out and to talk to someone you trust.”

So, I’m going to challenge myself to pause when I ask that question moving forward, and allow someone the space to truly answer, if they feel comfortable in doing so.

I think we’ve lost some grace and patience in our overall everyday lives and not to mention that we all have something going on. Life is hard.

But, maybe, if we actually listen to each other, we’ll see we aren’t so alone. Others are struggling. Others have ideas that may help. Or others are just willing to listen and show up for you.

And if we can work on that overwhelming sense of loneliness that seems to exist these days, maybe, just maybe, we’ll get somewhere together.