If someone were to ask, “In which state do you live?” if you live in the United States, as I do, your response would undoubtedly be a geographical location. You might say in “New York,” or “California,” or “Texas”—in whichever one of the 50 states you vote.
Few of us would think the questioner was asking about the state of mind in which we live.
But last year, when I heard Billy Joel sing “A New York state of mind” in concert, it somehow reminded me of how important it is to know the state of mind we’re in. Do we live in a state of frenzy over household concerns, meeting preparations, or scheduled events? In a state of panic over an illness involving a friend or family member? In a state of confusion about making potentially life-changing choices? In a state of fear about a warning of destructive weather coming to town?
