Johnny Cash kick

Drink to me only with thine eyesAnd I will pledge with mine.Or leave a kiss within the cupAnd I'll not ask for wine.The thirst that from the soul doth riseDoth ask a drink divine;But might I of Jove's nectar sip,I would not change for thine.I sent thee late a rosy wreath,Not so much hon'ring theeAs giving it a hope that thereIt could not withered be;But thou thereon did'st only breathe,And sent'st it back to me,Since when it grows and smells, I swearNot of itself, but thee.- Drink to Me Only With Thine Eyes by Johnny Cash_________________________________________________________________

(Troubadour troubadour troubadour)

The troubadour the troubadour sings from his heart

The song that's the hit of the show

Watch him sing and play the strings of his guitar alone in the bright spotlight's glow

The song was for someone he loved so true

Who loved him then left him for someone new

The troubaour the troubadour smile as he sings but his heart is breaking in two

[ guitar ]

They beg for more the troubadour sings once again

The song that's the hit of the show

Watch him sing and play the strings of his guitar alone in the bright spotlight's glow

There is a hush in the darkened hall a few hearts are heavy and teardrops fall

But in the crowd one head is bowed for the troubadour

And oh her heart aches most of all

Troubadour troubadour her heart aches most of all. 

- The Troubadour by Johnny Cash

Allowed to be simply "okay"

Let's reflect for a moment on the concept of genuineness.
I'll paint the picture-
A friend that you happen to work with requests that any response to the question "How are you?" (which is a DUMB question anyway) that varies from good or great be met with a story about what's going on in your life personally.
1. I am trying to maintain a level of professionalism in the workplace. My personal tales, whether yay or nay, are not appropriate to expand upon on the company dime.
2. As my friend, why am I not allowed to say, "I'm just okay today."? You should not try to change my current emotion. As a friend, you should accept me for who I am. Please don't ask me to be fake. I have to be fake with all the other workplace acquaintances.
3. What is really comes down to is that YOU feel uncomfortable by my less-than-par emotion. So really it's a selfish request.
4. What if my emotional state is extremely fragile? By forcing me to open up, you have just instigated a waterfall of tears, sniffling, flushed skin which may or may not be able to be turned off- messing up my makeup, my focus, and my professional demeanor. Thank you for trying to make yourself feel better which has now led to completely outing my personal business to everyone in my workplace.

As my friend, please don't pry into how I'm really doing in my workplace. Save it for a rainy movie night, evening beverage escapade, or tearful phone conversation- outside of work. Some days I am just faking it to make it.