Why?

 

From a very young age young children ask, “Why?”

“Why is the sky blue?” “Why do I have to brush my teeth?” “Why do I have to do my homework?” Why? Why? Why? It’s enough to drive a parent nuts.

Since rejoining the workforce, I’ve discovered the tendency to ask the very same why question. Sometimes, I get an answer. But more often I get, “You don’t need to know that.”, or “That’s just the way we do things.”, or “Don’t worry about it.”, or “You’ll learn it later.”

Here’s the deal. It’s my JOB to WORRY about stuff. When I ask a question, I’d like an answer. I work in a hospital—a TEACHING hospital, mind you—I NEED to know the answer to my questions to be able to do my job. I might be a newbie after a 13-year hiatus, but I also have 22 years of experience under my belt. The technology and computer systems might be different, and we are doing many more tests that weren’t available thirteen years ago, but I have twenty-two years of knowledge in the field of medical technology that won’t let me rest until I find out WHY.

If you don’t know the answer, just say so. Or even better, “I don’t know, why don’t you find out and let me know what you discover.”

The dumbing down of America started when no one cared enough to find out the answer to WHY. When I stop wondering WHY about job stuff, gardening stuff, nature stuff, or just life stuff, then I’ll be dead.

Because when you stop asking WHY, you stop living.

Never stop asking, WHY.

 

MAGolla