Why?

If you have children that are at least 8 years old or older, then you remember the time when everything ended with the question: Why?

It is our nature to be curious and our desire to have knowledge that make children ask that question, but as an adult I realize that I still ask the same question.  Why?

Now the reasons may be different.  As a child I did not know why the oven got hot or why birds flew or why the sun was hot in the summer but not in the winter.  And the list goes on.  But today the question has a different slant to it.  Why was I born?  Why do things happen to me, or for me?  Why is he rich?  Why is she poor?   Why do people hurt and kill each other?  Why? Why? Why?

The difference is that some questions have a specific answer that fulfils the desire we seek.  Laws of physics are a lot easier to explain than questions about human behavior.  In fact, there may never be good answers for some human issues, and the search will always be futile.  We search for all the reasons why, and in my opinion, we miss the important piece of the puzzle that lies within our reach.

Is it easier to roll a ball or a boulder?  Is it easier to stop the rain or to wear a raincoat?  The answers all make sense to me.  If you can affect something small, then do it.  Not because it is easier, but in making small accomplishments they inevitably make larger changes.  When the reverse is not necessarily true. 

So we do our best to embrace a world and spread love throughout, which is good, but if we have not first done all we can to love ourselves, then our efforts are for naught.  You know “save the world-Lose your soul” philosophy.  When the answer lies with loving ourselves.  Because at that point we have the knowledge and power to love others.

It is a large task, loving ourselves.  For some it is too large and they simply quit.  Surrender.  Give up.  But the ones that seek answers from within make a more powerful force throughout.  Jesus did say ‘love one another even as I have loved you,” but I think it’s important not to forget that you first must love yourself.  Never forget the power that lies within you.  It must well and spring from you.  And then, and only then, will you see the change in the world that you wish to see.