Why?

You know the close elevator doors buttons?  They don't actually work. Not since 1990 as part of legislation to allow wheelchairs enough time to get in. Yet, all of us, as we find ourselves in a hurry to get to work and avoid the smelly guy from riding in the same elevator, frantically push that button not once, but repeatedly 83 times before they close. Because I work on the 19th floor of a 20 story building, I see it every day. I’ve known about this close elevator door button thing for a few years and I’m just now sharing my knowledge with others. Honestly, I enjoy being the only person on the elevator that knows this secret and I smile when I see others pound and mash the button.

We tend to believe that the button is the answer because it is there. Due to the illustration on the head of the button, you would assume it should work. The answer to your closure issues is right there in front of you. The button is useless, but you believe it's the answer.

The answer to your life's issues is not a push of the button, nor does it show itself as easily as a universal symbol as you ride 19 stories in the air on your way to the office.

We believe in things because we are told. Because the instructions say so. Because our parents or an elder taught us this way. Because it worked once or twice; so let's treat it as law. I have worked in the same field for over 22 years and no two jobs have been alike. Sure, certain things have been similar and often routine, but the "fix" for each has been different. Your playbook has to evolve and possess an element of grey-as things are never actually black and white.

#Tryharder to seek out more than one way of doing things. Looks for the reason in your life and the “why” in your logic. Look past the button on the elevator of life and question if it really does anything. (How do you think I learned about the useless button in the first place?)  When I was between jobs, I took the time to rebuild, retool and realign some things in my life. I forced myself to think uncomfortably and pushed to ask “why” I did things a certain way. “Because it always works” or “Because I always do it this way” are great if you never want to accomplish any more than you did yesterday. (Hold the door while I get off that elevator).

We don’t often ask ourselves "why" unless something bad happens. “Why God this...” and “Why God that...” when something, or often someone, is taken from us. It’s human. We are creatures of comfort and tradition.  Seek out answers and education from places you don’t traditionally look. I spent more time reading in the past twelve months than I had in the past five years. I have also spent more time in church than I have in the past twelve years. We all need to do a better job of actively asking “why” before we are forced.

You don’t have to question everything, but maybe start with just a few items here and there to get things rolling. Change up the recipe of your life and let this chapter serve as a push to question the redundancy of things around you.

(Maybe today’s the day you take the stairs).