“It is not the answer that enlightens, but the question.”

~ Eugene Ionesco

 

This week’s post is more in the format of an “op-ed,” but I feel it is so important to have you wake up to questioning everything.

Few people challenge the conventional wisdom and many more probably do not question the world in which they live. We have moved to a state of tolerance at best, while many binge on mindless entertainment and are confronted with pointless trivia which distracts them from seeing the big picture.

The combination of tolerance and distraction has moved us away from realizing our full potential for change, to make change and to ascend. We stop asking what we are tolerating and why. We are brainwashed to think that what is on the nightly news is all true and credible. The media has become entertainment. We find escape in watching other people’ lives in mindless reality TV shows.

For many, measuring their success or happiness is done so in how many likes or retweets they get. For many, they forget to think for themselves, to form their own opinions and to participate in life vs watching life from a digital device. A complacency has set in with the “can’t fight city hall” mindset, or a belief that one’s life is boring and too routine. 

Yes, we live in interesting and some may say difficult times. Long term, well-established institutions—religious, media, academic, industry, financial, health and government among many—are struggling to sustain themselves in their current paradigms. This is no longer a “separation of state and church” among the multitude of institutions.

Further, all these institutions are overseen by human beings; people in power striving to retain their influence. They work to hold on to what they think they have even when others suffer. Feeling powerless, we may follow these people and think we have to choose between the lesser of two (or more) evils. This is no way to go through your life. And you do have the inner strength and energy to break the cycle.

I say to you my friends that you have to be your own teacher and your own disciple—by listening to your inner voice, your instincts and your calling. Take the time to gain different perspectives. Invest in getting the facts and awaken your curiosity.

I encourage you to keep an open mind by asking questions, as questions enable and fuel change.

• ·       Start with yourself. Go deep.
• ·       Rely on your intuitive intelligence
• ·       Demand honesty.
• ·       Don’t accept the easy answer.
• ·       Challenge the systems of authority.
• ·       Stand up for what you believe.
• ·       Fight for progress.
• ·       Put your energy into the momentum of change.

Bringing the Why into focus changes everything—for individuals, nations and organizations alike. So start asking Why. Tune into yourself. Reduce the distractions. Be present. Be awake.