Why? (Updated from 1/5/2015)

 

"There are two great days in a person's life - 

the day we are born and the day we discover why."

-- William Barclay (1907-1978)

For some, the first great day is the beginning of a short life in famine and squalor. Others have arrived at a situation of domestic abuse in which they have become the new punching bag, and far too many find their great day tainted by parental drug abuse that has visited upon them birth defects. For all of them, the question begs to be asked, "Why?" Many of these children may survive long enough to ask the question but not long enough to learn an answer. Those children who can survive their circumstances have an opportunity to learn from the horrors of their lives. They will have opportunities to foster change and to assist others. Those who don't live, still serve the unfortunate purpose of giving those who have lived - a cause for doing so. They have only to recognize their purpose and take action. Sounds simple... just don't die.

"There are those who look at things the way they are, and ask why...
I dream of things that never were, and ask why not?

-- Robert F. Kennedy (1925-1968)

But, in life, there must be death.  There must always be the yin and yang, the two halves that, together, complete wholeness; the "balance" that must always be struck for reality to exist.  If you could go back in time to prevent death, death would still occur, and the balance somehow will be maintained.  It would be nice if we could end famine, suffering, and death.  If we could accomplish this, there would be overcrowding; close quarters are a fertile culture for the spread of contagion; contagion is the reason for antibiotics; antibiotics reduce our ability to fight off disease.  So, millions will still die and, thus, is the universal balance of life.  For Earth to abide, a balance must exist.  In the whole of creation, the balance must exist.

When people see things as beautiful,

ugliness is created.

When people see things as good,

evil is created.

Being and non-being produce each other.

Difficult and easy complement each other.

Long and short define each other.

High and low oppose each other.

Fore and aft follow each other.

-- Lao Tsu (604-531 B.C.)

Those that survive to adulthood may find the answer to why they were born.  The sad reality is, that many will simply go about their daily grind trying to better their situation or just "keep up with the Joneses."  These people may never find an answer to why they are here... if they ever consider asking the question.  There are the rare few who find they were born for accidental greatness; to land a crippled aircraft with three hundred people on board, pull a family from a burning building, or save a small child that has stopped breathing by administering CPR which they just learned a few days ago. 

Is being a hero enough?  Is this "why" they were put here years ago?  What makes them special, other than being heroes?  And, what of the survivors?  Many survivors will experience "survivor guilt."  They will ask why they were spared when others died around them.  

What if, among all the lives saved, there is that one special life?  What if one of these is, or will be, the mother, father, or grandparent of some person who will change our world for the better?  What if saving a particular life sets off a chain reaction we need to survive?  What if the life saved is an essential player in the second coming of Christ?  What if everyone is put here for a reason and it is up to us to learn our own answer as to why?  What if we only find the answer by asking, "Why?" Or, will we only know it when "why" happens?  

"Millions saw the apple fall, but Newton was the one who asked why."

-- Bernard M. Baruch

I have questioned my existence for most of my life.  This question of existence becomes significantly more important when one survives several encounters with death, surviving through no fault of their own, or anyone else's.  The hand of fate seemingly drops in to pluck them from the jaws of death, and each time they are left with that nagging question of, "Why?"

As I turned seventy years of age, I looked back on my own encounters with death through life, and considered the question once again.  For almost 23 years, during my military career fighting the "Cold War," we managed to keep the world in one piece with nuclear deterrence, and we watched the collapse of the Berlin Wall and the Soviet Union.  I have two wonderful children and two beautiful grandchildren, and I still have my health.  I have to wonder if I was plucked from death for reasons yet to come, or if I already accomplished the tasks I was set on my path to achieve.  Is it my blogging that is my purpose, or is it my children or grandchildren who are meant to be here? Is it their path that becomes important at this point, and what, or who, are they supposed to affect?  Am I finished, or is there more in store for me, further along my path?

As I look back at my life, though, I realize that I am tired.  I realize my questions have put me on the path to where I am, and it has been a good path.  As I look into what future I have left in this life, I realize it is important to understand for what purpose I am here.  I find the answer is very simple, for all of us.  I am here, for a purpose.  That's it.  It is that simple.  I know the "purpose" is not as important as realizing there is a purpose.  Understanding this simple fact, I look to the future with less concern as to "Why?" and with more interest in, "Why not?"  I have found this question easier to answer.

"For as long as there's anyone to ask 'Why?' the answer will always be, 'Why not?"

-- Vera Nazarian

Since you took your first breath of air you have been on your path.  Where that path has taken you, or will take you, depends entirely on the decisions you make in your life.  No one else can accept responsibility for your life unless you allow them to, and that is also your decision.  The choice is always yours for any decision you make.  To blame others is just misplaced anger you feel for being a dumbass.  Better for you to accept responsibility for your actions, pick yourself up, and move down your path having learned from the experience and, hopefully, with the ability to mentor others as a way of giving your mistake some value.

You need to realize that your path will continue until you reach your destination.  It may continue through this life, into the next, and beyond.  It is truly not about the destination, and, in realizing this, one can understand why rushing through life is counterproductive to that life.  In the rush to get there, you will miss so much beauty along the way.  You will find, too late, that children grow up too fast, loved ones die with words left unsaid, untended love slips away, and friendships fail for stupid reasons.

When people ask me, "Why?" I am tempted to give the trite answer, "Because." But to answer, "Because," doesn't do the question justice.  The "why" of our lives lies within each of us.  It is in every decision and choice we make.  

My Dad made it crystal clear to me.  "Why?" I asked.  "Because... I said so," he answered.  I was young and he was in charge, and that was good enough for me.

"Slow down and enjoy life.  It's not only the scenery you miss by going too fast - you also miss the sense of where you are going and why?

-- Eddie Cantor (1892-1964)

Editor's Note

(Re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card)

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch - it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either view any more right or wrong than the other. Opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form their own opinions, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider an alternate viewpoint.

I fervently hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion in an arena of mutual respect concerning those opinions offered. After twenty-three years of military intelligence, I believe that engaging each other in this manner, and in this arena, is a way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we learn from the experience... and what we do afterward.

Pastor Tony spent 22 years with United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. Following his service career, he spent 17 years working with the premier and world-renowned Western Institutional Review Board, helping to protect the rights of human subjects involved in pharmaceutical research. He also served 8 years on the Board of Directors for the Angela J. Bowen Foundation.

Ordained in 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As a weapon for his war on intolerance, he chose the pen. He wages his "battle" in the guise of the Congregation's official online blog, The Path, of which he is both author and editor. "The Path" offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's personal, spiritual path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteered as the lead chaplain at a regional medical center.

Feel free to contact Pastor Tony at: tolerantpastor@gmail.com