What Happened to your “Why”?

When we are young, we have this wonderful “why” within us! It is the most natural thing in the world for us to ask why about everything we learn. But then where does it go? Do we reach a certain age where why doesn’t even matter anymore? Where we are so certain of our answers that we no longer question them? Do we start believing all that we have been told over the years without reaching out and grabbing the “why”? Holding onto the “why “is holding on to our innate curiosity.

Curiosity is the desire to know more about something. It is a general feeling of interest in the world around us. The “Why” is seeking the reason or explanation for something. It is a more specific type of curiosity that is focused on understanding the underlying causes and principles of things.

Being vibrant and feeling alive as you age means staying interested in life and reacquainting yourself with that curiosity. As we age, we find answers to many of our questions and maybe we get set in our opinions and think that we have nothing left to learn. We stop asking why.  Asking why is one of the most important things we can do as human beings. It helps us to learn, to grow, and to make the world a better place. Don't stop asking why just because you're getting older.

 A key component of happy aging is to continue to feel connected to life and the world around us. Asking why and being curious helps us to stay engaged with the world around us and to find new meaning and purpose in life. When older people lose their curiosity, they may become more apathetic and withdrawn. They may feel less connected to the world around them and less motivated to engage in new activities. This can lead to feelings of loneliness, boredom, and unhappiness.

 So, if you have lost your “why” start challenging your assumptions, expose yourself to new ideas, be humble and admit you may not have all the answers, don’t be afraid to ask questions and never stop asking and wondering “Why”!