This piece is in response to a recent blog post written by my friend Christina.

What if focusing on the “why?” is just a shortcut for “getting an outcome.”

Why? is strategic when your inner ocean is calm: cerebral and intentional, citable and defensible. Why? envisions an end, the end requires means, and the means demand optimisation. But when optimisation becomes the desired outcome a perverse feedback loop is born, like a soulless whirlpool, that functions only for more means. 

The means to amass more capital, to reach 100mph faster, or to justify any moral stance. This is the addictive win-more scenario faced by billionaires, speed-runners, and other instrumentalists with better things to do. Instead of wasting any more youth on means, why not try riding for the feeling to find what you are searching for?

Ways trump means. I am using “way” in the profound sense, as in a way to glimpse the shape of the universe and a way to heal our person. A way to become more whole and human; to find grace.

The way that has stuck best for me is Karate-dō (dō means way AKA the way of the empty hand). In the beginning I did it because Mum thought it was a good thing for a ten year old. I started off by being goal-oriented, getting the next belt, competing in tournaments etc. but at some point in the last few years I ran out of karate goals. Now my motivation is best summed up by an Okinawan saying: “karate-dō has no goal, only training to be done forever.” So I do it because I love it.

Can you feel your bright embers of undiscovered ways glowing in the winds of change?

Some of the ways that people seem to love:

• Gardening.
• Writing (either/all).
• Surfing.
• Bringing up children.
• Refining a craft.
• Yoga. Meditation too.
• Budō.
• Teaching & mentoring.
• Art. Music. Dance. +
• Pursuing deep curiosity.
• Mucking about in boats.