Why

The ‘why’ of this and that has become part of the conversation these days. It seems that ‘why’ has become the flavor of the decade. When I ask you ‘why’, I am seeking to understand the reason. Why is this box here? Because I just emptied it and haven’t taken it to the recycle yet. The reason for the placement of a box is of a different level than the reason for launching a nuclear bomb. Anyway, I would hope so

The ‘why’ used to be called the purpose. In the corporate world the purpose of the company is it’s why. Apple is apparently a landmark example of leveraging their ‘why’ to motivate both employees and fans. Apple is associated with creative types, with challenging the status quo and thinking differently. From this base Apple designs products and sales campaigns and even their stores

Recall, as best you can, the history of you and the word ‘why’. What is the feeling that starts to arise as you imagine someone approaching you and starting the conversation with ‘why?’. Why can demand justification, as in why did you ________? When justification is being sought, my sense is that I am accused of some transgression and that my reasons for doing that thing better be good ones

On the other hand asking ‘why did I do that?’ could be a statement of awe and celebration. Why did you jump into the river to save that person? This kind of why is still looking for reason/purpose and is a statement of ‘wow, I’m not sure I would have had the courage or __________ to have done that’. Asking another about their purpose, genuinely asking, is an act of encouragement and respect

I can push back against something you said by saying, ‘why?’. Used this way the word introduces disagreement, maybe including indignation and possibly surprise, as in ‘why George, how could you even think that?’ For just three letters this word has a lot of versatility and punch. Who knows why such things are possible, but then again ‘why not?’ oh, why fight it?