Why?

Why? – The most basic questions of all. The one young kids frequently ask as they begin to realize the rules, wonders, and mysteries of the world surrounding them. The question older kids use to challenge the reasons for the rules imposed on them. The question adults use as verbal fencing in an argument.

Why? – Thousands of years ago this question led our ancestors to investigate the world as developing intelligent beings, to learn its way and confirm it in endless ways. The question that led mankind to develop religion as a way to explain the ways of our world, and later on science to do that and so much more. The question that is the basis for every study, self or otherwise, people have conducted throughout the generations. The question that is a fundamental necessary ingredient in awareness.

Why? – This question is perceived by many as an inferior form of speech, a juvenile, uneducated form of inquiry that paints the person using it as ignorant and unsophisticated. Some even consciously refrain from using it in conversation to avoid appearing dumb and ill-informed.

This question, the most basic of all forms of inquiry, has led to most of humanity’s advancements. Its simplicity challenges the most basic realities mankind faced since the dawn of civilization. It allowed humans to reason with the world around them, and encouraged insight and investigation of the facts of life. Religion, science, and betterment of life as we know it, all started with that simple question.

This question is powerful and useful in our everyday life. We rarely stop to ask ourselves why when things seem to go well, or even when they proceed less-so. The question invites scrutiny and observation of state and process, and can expose early opportunities for intervention and change to improve a situation, or prevent the failure of one before significant damage has rendered that futile.

Where do you fall within the comfort level of using why? Does the way you use it serves you well? Should you use why more frequency, or hold back on it some? As with almost everything else in life, you should use reason and common sense in deciding how much is too little and vice versa. Why can teach you a lot in life, but there is always a point where you need to stop asking and start living. Why? Because I said so. Now go play.