Your 5 Whys

Part of being ready, willing, and able is knowing WHY you're doing something in the first place.

Yesterday was World Stroke Day. When I think about what is important in my life, when I really dig down deep about the kind of person I want to be and know WHY, it’s because of events that yesterday represented.

Knowing what's important to us and why gives us direction and purpose.
If we live according to those values, life (and often, good health) "flows" almost effortlessly.
 
When we don’t do what we believe or feel in our gut to be "right", we don't feel good. And our bodies show it.

So, what do you value?
Dig down for a second.

• What's most important to you in life? Why?
• What kind of person do you want to be? Why?
  

Are you living those values? Chances are not as well as you'd like.

Ask yourself why do I want to accomplish this?

Then, with whatever answer you come up with, ask why again and again
I’m reminded of my toddler asking “why” with every answer I give her, BUT there is something to that method.

For instance, for me:
"I want to be healthy."

• Why do I want to be healthy? Because I want to feel strong in everything I do
• Why do I want to be strong in everything I do? Because I’ve been “weak” due to an injury and I don’t like how I feel
• Why don’t I like how I feel? Because I feel like I’m losing a part of my identity not being “strong.”
• Why do I feel like I’m losing my identity not being strong? Because I’ve never known myself not to be physically strong and this scares me
• Why does it scare me? Because a part of me feels that if I’m not active like I was, I will inherit the same issues as my mom did: diabetes, heart attack and stroke.

Wow.
That’s a lot of insight for a few little questions.
For me, being healthy really means being in charge of my life to prevent outcomes like my mom.

That’s a crucial insight.

I’m not just looking to be as strong as I was.
I also want to feel a certain way at the end of the process. Strong. More energetic. More in control of the outcome (even though we have no way of knowing what will actually happen, at least I can say I did everything I could).
And that's what's really important to me.
Being strong is just a way to get there.
 
Your 5 Whys
Ok, now it’s your turn to play. Write down your 5 Whys.
Really.
Give it some thought.
Be honest.

If you’d care to share send me a DM, I’d love to hear from you and even help you get there!

Nourish your purpose now,

Rebecca