The Bliss of Ms. Blossom

While at work, I converse with folks I see everyday, as well as complete strangers. Chit-chat isn't hard (nor very original): weather, holidays, how busy everyone is, shopping... etc. And damn, lots of these conversations tend to be pessimistic. If I answer that I'm doing excellent, people are taken aback and want to know why. If I shrug and make a non-committal face, that is overlooked as a normal response. One lady said, "See you next year! Hope it's a good one. Can't get any worse." She never struck me as being someone who was battling many difficult obstacles. Obviously, I can't know this for sure, but it made me wonder why everyone downplays their lives all the time. Right now, it's how much Christmas shopping costs and how cold it is. In the spring, everyone just wants to get the year over with. Over the summer, people have been busy with activities and travelling (as if travelling was a bad thing). Next fall, folks will complain about hectic schedules. Well, I'm really happy right now. And I'm not the only one, either, I just don't feel like being self-deprecating at the moment.