I'm OK You're OK

In 1973 or 1975 in the cool and sophisticated village of Broummana, on the outskirts of Beirut, I read the book I'm OK You're OK. What part of OK I did not understand? None. I was OK. It was written in black on white. So it was true. I understood OK to be OK. I was so happy that I was OK. My happiness lasted a few hours. Then I forgot. There are other people in the world you know? I might think I am OK and next thing you know I am not. And that's normal. In fact it is law. As soon as contentment sets in, we slip-slide as in what goes up must come down. Then what do we do? Do we wait for someone to make law what goes down must come up? Was there ever a law for that? I know there are thousands of "how to" books written reminding that I'm OK You're OK. So it must be true.



Conclusion: Going down is automatic. We are down before we know it. Going up takes time and effort if not sheer will. In both cases, I'm OK You're OK is timeless.

After I wrote the above, I received a phone call from my dear friend Arpinée with whom I was very open about my moods of late. She informed me that I am not alone and gave me examples and names of people who are going through rough times of late. She added that they too thought they were alone in not finding a way up. If it was a staircase going to heaven, the fact of knowing that I am not alone took me one step up. I wonder if others did the same when they found out that they are not alone. One, two, three, hop!

I am not alone. Many blessings to all who have felt the same way lately...and to those who haven't also...I do not discriminate.