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Asking Why is Judgmental — Asking What is Actionable
Light dawns on marble head as I explore a novel new idea.
During a recent conversation with my therapist — not to pat myself on the back — I said something profound.
We were discussing several ongoing struggles I’m having in my life. They’re largely mental and emotional, but that’s also impacting the physical.
Long ago, I realized that the “how” of things is often utterly unknown. When you’re making any effort whatsoever to actively change your life, how is an unknown — or you’d already be doing it.
In the process of acting to create change, questions are inevitable. What if I do this or that? Will that work, or this? Is this idea good, bad, or indifferent? Am I on the right path? And so on. All actionable questions.
When you’re in the process of active change, the why isn’t questioned, is it? That’s because you worked out your why before you took action. What your why is means something to only one person — you. Because it’s your why, after all.
When you’ve chosen to actively pursue change, any why has been asked and answered. Why do I desire to get into better physical shape? To be healthier and not deal with some avoidable future issues. Why do I write? Because it brings me joy to share…
