i've been thinking about it and i've determined that the word "why", spoken on its own, in the form of a question, is the most dangerous word in the english language.
seriously, it's the one thing that, in a lot of circumstances, you are just NEVER supposed to say.
"for god so loved the world that he gave his only son" why?
"tonight's top story..." why?
"the city of _______ was ravaged by a hurricane" why?
these are broad examples, of course, ones that could head off in a thousand different directions. and the fact is that we could all choose one of these topics and discuss them at a comfortable distance. the real power of "why" comes when we turn it towards ourselves.
here's an exercise: go through your everyday activities, but each time you do something, expose yourself to the threat of the why.
i got up this morning and i made coffee. why? because i'm a freakin' addict, ok? (seriously, that's the best i can do for an answer to why this is the first thing i do when i wake up. nothing to do with enjoying it or finding it fulfilling.)
i checked my emails. why? ostensibly because i'm looking for work, but really because i'm curious to know if/ how people have reacted (and who has reacted) to things i've posted or said on facebook or other forums i participate in. because, like many, i'm kind of an internet narcissist. i can admit that. a lot of people can't and are going to mock me to cover for themselves.
anyway, you get the idea. there are certainly things that are done because they need to be done, but you'd be amazed at how much your day changes when you invite the complications of the why.