Why do we always ask why?

“He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how.”
 Friedrich Nietzsche

Why: always why, is the question? Consciously, sub-consciously, and perhaps unconsciously, the question arises at all times, at all things, at all age; unless one is living without thought. From the moment modern humans evolved and separated from their animal ancestors, and for almost 100,000 years since, we have been asking this question: Why? Why means: For what purpose, reason, or cause; with what intention, justification, or motive; the cause or intention underlying a given action or situation.

The potential that it carries when it is asked is immense; and the knowledge and empowerment it provides when it is answered, is unmatched by any other force in the world.

In fact, “why” is the most important question in the entire life span of a human being, if not in the whole universe; and the more it is asked, the greater his knowledge; which hopefully, is likely to lead to wisdom.

It had led the humankind from his original animalistic background into civilisation; and to enlightenment - though not all humans have benefited from the question because many have not progressed beyond their original origins, and have ceased to ask this all-important question. Thus, they continue to remain in the penumbral zone of knowledge; of consciousness; and of life.

When we are five years old, we ask it incessantly; for it is the one and only means we have at that age, to understand the world around us, and help us accept it.

We ask time-and-again, repeatedly, until we are satisfied that we know why something is the way it is. However, as we grow up, for most people, “why” becomes taboo.

For some reason, once we reach adulthood, the question why when asked is, considered as an irritant and a nuisance.

It is as if once we are old enough, we are supposed to know why; and if we do not, it is assumed that we need not to; that we just need to accept as told, or pretend to know. Of course, that is ridiculous, because the world is constantly changing, and the quanta of known knowledge is growing at an incredible rate. Hence, “why” is and will be, always, a relevant question; no man is all knowing as to be without it.

Many grown ups remain fools due to their reluctance to question “why?” Many, when asked why, exhibit anger because of their fear of exposing their deficiency of knowledge, their pusillanimity.

Sometimes, if pressed to say why, we can say no more than to say that it is so just because: it is it, or that is that - in some cases rather than the knowledge of knowing, we follow intuition, a gut feeling that tells us so.

Of course, questioning is an art by itself and has the potential of displaying one’s own ignorance, if foolishly handled; hence the reluctance of many. The “why?” should ensure, that it is not “why not?” Let us not walk in others heads with our silliness.

If one is on a quest to lead a meaningful life, one should keep asking why, loud and clear for all to hear and know that you seek answers to that which you do not know - for there is no shame in not knowing; there is no man today, who walks this earth, all knowing. Should you fail to receive an answer, it is because they too know not, and are but pretenders to the throne of knowledge.

This world is full of such impostors. At any moment in one’s life, a question, and the answer if given, could change one’s whole life.

Nevertheless, as important as it is to ask others “why,” it is as important to question ourselves. For every act, if we ask ourselves

“Why am I doing this?” many pitfalls in life could be, avoided. And, just as important as answering it for yourself is, to answer it for others when they query you.

It is important to show people the reasons you do what you do, and that you do things with understanding and are not acting as a puppet.

Finding the answer to who, what, where, when, how, may all be very important steps toward reaching your goals; but without “why,” all the others have no meaning. The first five are the means, but the last one is the end. What purpose do the means have if there is no end? That is why you should always ask why. It provides the footing and framework for all your goals, intentions, reasons, and purpose in life. Mahatma Gandhi said: “If you don't ask, you don't receive.”

Some people see things as they are and ask why. Others dream things that never were and ask why not. Most of the important accomplishments in the world have been by people who have asked “Why?” or “Why not?” A human mind, stretched by a new idea, can never go back to its original dimension. All too often, we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring - all of which have the potential to turn a life around - only because, we fail to realise why.

In failing to understand the quest for why, we feel that: To reach out to another is, to risk involvement. To express feelings is, to risk exposing our true self. To place our ideas, our dreams, before the crowd is, to risk their loss. To love is, to risk not being-loved in return. To live is, to risk dying.

To hope is, to risk despair. To try is, to risk failure. However, if we are able to appreciate and understand why, we will know: any individual, who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing, is nothing.

Such persons may avoid suffering and sorrow by being nothing; but they simply cannot learn, feel, change, grow, love, or live. For they have no knowledge of, “Why?” Risks have to be taken, when seeking answers to the question “Why?”

“Think for yourself and let others enjoy the privilege of doing so too” said Voltaire. The greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing by not seeking. Only a person who seeks is, truly free. Just as much as to see a rainbow, one needs to see through the rain; human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitudes of mind.

The meaning of life is a philosophical question concerning the significance of life or existence in general. It can also be expressed in, different forms such as “Why are we here?”, “What is life all about?”, and “What is the purpose of existence?” It has been the subject of much philosophical, scientific, and theological speculation throughout history.

There have been a large number of proposed answers to these questions from many different cultural and ideological backgrounds.The meaning of life is - in the philosophical and religious conceptions - of existence, social ties, consciousness, and happiness; and borders on many other issues.

In the ultimate analysis, the answers to such issues, and the mysteries of the meaning of life; can only be unravelled by you, the individual, through the quest for “Why?”

See you this day next week. Until then, keep thinking; keep laughing.

Life is mostly about these two activities.

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