“In many Muslim cultures, when you want to ask them how they’re doing, you ask: in Arabic, Kayf haal–ik? or, in Persian, Haal-e shomaa chetoreh? How is your haal?

What is this haal that you inquire about? It is the transient state of one’s heart. In reality, we ask, “How is your heart doing at this very moment, at this breath?” When I ask, “How are you?” that is really what I want to know.

Tell me you remember you are still a human being, not just a human doing. Tell me you’re more than just a machine, checking off items from your to-do list. Have that conversation, that glance, that touch. Be a healing conversation, one filled with grace and presence. Put your hand on my arm, look me in the eye, and connect with me for one second. Tell me something about your heart, and awaken my heart. Help me remember that I too am a full and complete human being, a human being who also craves a human touch.

Let us insist on a type of human-to-human connection where when one of us responds by saying, “I am just so busy,” we can follow up by saying, ‘I know, love. We all are. But I want to know how your heart is doing.’” —Omid Safi

I find this sentiment deeply moving. Yeah, we’re all busy. I tell people that all the time, and it’s a totally useless placeholder of a response. For that, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to give you a meaningless response.

Friends, going forward, if I ask how you’re doing, I’m really asking, “how is your heart doing?”

PC: Jordan Ison

Tell me you remember you are still a human being, not just a human doing. – Omid Safi