Socrates Would Be Happy

We may not always understand the way things go or the way things work. In fact, there are a lot of times I want to know why I am being asked to do certain things at work or the reason behind the request and what function it serves. Then there are times when I don't care one way or the other why I'm being asked to do this or that or especially the reasoning behind it....I just need to do it and get it over with. After talking with about 15 people about this, I noticed that it's somewhat of a common thread among those questioned. But, why? Why are some people like that and others not?


The Socratic method of argument (not in the form of emotional arguing or fighting - so, understand that by argument, I mean debate) is made up of this particular question, "why?". He believed that one could get to the bottom of any situation and find the root cause or intention in any argument by asking, "why?". It sort of makes me think about my son. "Son, put your dishes in the sink, please." "Why?" "Because when you're finished eating, you put your dishes in the sink so mommy and daddy can clean them." "Why?" "They need to be cleaned so that we can re-use them." "Why?" ......and so on and so forth. Eventually you get to the point to where it's like: "Son, just put the flippin' dishes in the sink before I pinch your little head off." It sounds crazy, but IT'S TRUE. We are consumed with the question, "why." In all actuality, if you can stand the monotony of it all, asking why for every question will eventually either drive you insane or answer the root question. Socrates was a genius (and quite possibly very devilish).



Think about it.....
Too many times we ask why when it really doesn't matter at all. We ask why for selfish reasons. It's almost like self-pity. You get hit in the head with a golf ball and you think, "why do things like this always happen to me? Why can't they just happen to someone else for a change?" Granted - nobody wants to get hit in the head with a golf ball. But, seriously.....too many hits in the head will eventually lead you to the question, "WHY?"

I find myself somtimes questioning the reason things happen to me. For example, when things don't go my way or when I feel overwhelmed or stressed, the first thing that comes to mind is, "Why does this always happen to me?" The point of this whole blog is that......things happen for a reason, yes; but the reason isn't always supposed to be revealed when you want an answer. There's not always an answer to the "why" question here and now. Things happen because they happen - - why doesn't matter. They've happened - now deal with it. Eventually, you will either be told why or you will figure it out on your own. I know that sounds sort of cruel....but, come on....the world in which we live is a "here and now" culture, based on instant gratification. My question is "WHY - do I feel like I have know everything all the time? WHY - can't I just sit back and take everything in stride? WHY - am I so focused on the here and now?" I need to sit back and relax - look to the future - and focus on the tasks at hand. Forget all the junk that's happened and stop asking "WHY" all the stinkin' time.

Socrates was a smart man - there's no doubt. But his methods don't equate with my Heavenly Papa's. I need to "be still and know that He is God."

Peace, Love, and Parliament (P-Funk All-Stars)