Categories: accountability, awareness, quality

I have, at this moment, a huge burst of energy. I don’t know why.

I have cleaned the kitchen, finished the laundry, organized my office, got a bag ready to go to Goodwill, got my gym bag ready, and even put in a holiday CD to listen to as I write this blog.

Again I don’t know “why”. Perhaps it’s because I took an extra thyroid medication yesterday, maybe it’s because I skipped my dose this morning, maybe it was the diet coke I had at lunch, maybe it’s because I went to the gym yesterday, maybe it’s the exciting work project I have right now, maybe it’s a peace of mind thing, maybe… I could go on.

See, that’s what’s wrong with the “why” question. There are a thousand answers, and many of them may be the answer to the “why” question. And I could spend the next three to four hours pondering the question and developing many fanciful answers. OR I can choose to do something with this energy, use it to my advantage. If I was sad, I could use that to my advantage too. If I was angry - again, another opportunity.

If I get stuck in answering the “why” question, I don’t move. I used to believe that answering that question meant I had achieved the ultimate status in life - an all knowingness. And I know now that answering “why” isn’t what life is about.

I’m not advocating for never asking the question - in fact, I think that being accountable and aware of how we operate is critical to our happiness. It’s not the only thing.

Homework:

Make a note of how often do you ask “why” and feel your energy change. Does it empower you? Do you achieve personal success by asking “why?”. Or do you get answers and not get any action? And finally, are you OK with asking “why” for awhile and just see how that moves energy in you?

Truly Yours,

Joseph Lyons

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