more “why not”
When my family gets together for holidays, I love getting to hang out with my younger cousins. They never fail to amuse me with their goofiness and free spiritedness. We play games, chase each other around the house, and get to rock the “kid’s” table together at dinner. (Side note: at what age do we get promoted from this table? Asking for a friend…)
One of my cousins went through a phase where she questioned every aspect of life. I’m fairly certain all of us do this at some point in an attempt to understand the world around us more. Whether it was eating dinner, watching a movie, going for a walk, or washing the dishes, my cousin always asked,”Why?” She was constantly wanting to know the reason behind everything. At first, our family patiently answered her endless “why” questions, but it got to the point where every little detail was questioned by my cousin. So, I turned the question back on her. One day, when she again asked me “why”, I asked her,”why not?”
I think a lot of us are feeling like my younger cousin right now, me included. We are questioning the purpose behind all of what is happening. It’s easy to question why our lives have been flipped upside down. It’s also easy to let ourselves be consumed in finding a “why”, when there really isn’t a meaning to be found behind all of this. Even if that “why” did exist, I don’t think it would console any of us, or justify the sacrifices we have all made. Spending our days focused on the “why” will only lead us to frustration, so let’s instead ask ourselves,”Why not?”
Why not read a new book? Why not go for a walk with your dog? Why not call a family member that is struggling with being alone? Why not set an audacious goal, and work towards it? Why not do the things we’ve pushed to the bottom of our “to-do” lists for weeks, months, or maybe even years? We all have a thing or two that we can dare to ask the “why not” question about. Instead of pouring our energy into being confused over why, we can dedicate our time to completing all of our “why not” ideas.
Whenever I asked my younger cousin “why not”, she rarely had anything to respond. Most our “why not” questions don’t have many responses either. If there is a response, it’s usually one that involves an excuse about not having enough time. Well, I think each of us has more than enough time on our hands at home.
When we think about it, there’s not much in our way if we really want to get something accomplished right now.
We all have something in our minds that has no place belonging in the "undone” category of our lives. What if we actually did the crazy and extravagant things we are thinking about doing right now? What if we stopped questioning ”why”, and starting doing the things we’ve always wanted to do. After all, why not?
It’s time we stop questioning the matters that won’t give us answers, and start pushing ourselves to do all of the things that make us say,“why not.”
There’s more to ask “why not” about.
There’s more to it all.