The question "Why?" is deceptively simple, yet profoundly powerful. It is a question that, when asked, can open doors to deep understanding or, conversely, lead to anxiety and discomfort.
Most of us have asked "Why?" at some point in our lives, whether questioning our purpose, struggle, or the effort we put into achieving our goals. Yet, many avoid asking this question, perhaps because the answers require us to confront uncomfortable truths.
While ignorance may seem like bliss, true growth often comes from facing the tough questions that challenge us to understand the deeper motivations behind our actions. To live with purpose and to pursue our desires, we must first be willing to ask ourselves the hardest questions and seek the reasons that lie beneath our actions.
Why is it so uncomfortable to ask ourselves these questions? Perhaps it is because the answers often require us to face difficult realities. It is easier to avoid the “why” than to confront the truths that lie behind it. Many of us skate around life, distracted by external factors or the fleeting comforts of ignorance.
Avoidance comes at a cost. When we avoid the question why, we miss out on the clarity and wisdom that come with facing it. Human beings are driven by purpose. We need a "what" to our "why." Only when we understand the reason behind our actions can we align ourselves with our true desires and aspirations.
If we don’t ask ourselves why we do what we do, we cannot truly understand what we are working towards. Without purpose, we risk becoming lost or stuck in a cycle of dissatisfaction.
Consider the concept of achieving a goal. We often hear that to achieve success, we must work hard, persevere and overcome obstacles. But what is the reason behind the effort? Why do we push ourselves when the path is uncertain or difficult?
Most people struggle with this. It’s easy to get bogged down by the "what", the tasks, the deadlines, the external markers of success. But these alone are not enough. The "why" gives depth to our actions, creating the emotional drive that sustains us through adversity.
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Why, then, is it so crucial to do what we hate in order to achieve what we desire? The answer lies in the discomfort itself. Growth does not happen in the comfort zone. It happens when we stretch beyond what is easy and familiar.
The reason we must face difficult challenges and push through resistance is because it is through this struggle that we evolve. Just as a muscle grows stronger through resistance, so too does the human spirit grow stronger when we challenge ourselves to do things we would rather avoid.
Most of us desire a life of fulfilment, of success, of meaning. But without understanding the “why” behind our actions, we cannot achieve these things. We must be willing to question our motives, to face the uncomfortable truths and to take responsibility for our choices. Only then can we attain what we truly desire.
As philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche once said: “He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.” This powerful statement suggests that knowing our deeper purpose gives us the strength to endure even the most difficult of circumstances.
Similarly, renowned motivational speaker Jim Rohn remarked, “The major value in life is not what you get. The major value in life is what you become.” True success, then, is not simply about achieving external goals but about the transformation we undergo in the process of striving towards them.
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” This verse encapsulates the essence of the “why.” When we seek truth, when we ask ourselves the tough questions, the answers will come, and opportunities will unfold before us. It is through this process of seeking, questioning and facing discomfort that we unlock the door to deeper fulfilment and greater potential.
Understanding our "why" is the foundation upon which we build the life we desire. By adjusting to the discomfort that comes with confronting our purpose, we step into a process of growth that leads to true success. As we ask, seek and knock, we are not only uncovering the truth of our existence but also empowering ourselves to achieve the very things we long for.
- Rutendo Kureya is a medical student at Saint Petersburg State Paediatric Medical University, Russia. She is passionate about issues concerning the state and welfare of fellow Zimbabweans. She can be reached at kureyaru@gmail.com. Mobile: +7 996 274 98 66 Facebook: Rutendo Kureya. She writes here in her personal capacity.
