When you are unable to understand, there is no why.
When you are unable to accept, there is no why.
When you are unable to forgive, there is no why.
When you are unable to rest, there is no why.
When you are unable to find peace, there is no why.
All the noise and trouble, the rabble and riot, all the anger, the hate, the arrogance, the self-righteousness and blame, the learned opinions and reasoned explanations, the justifiable fear and rampant paranoia, are nothing but the ignorant invention of why.
But there is no why.
In the garden, old redwoods mingle with day-old dragonflies, and there is
no question of why.
I turn my head and look at the garden right now. For this moment letting go of ‘why’ is the easiest thing ever – I’ll do my utmost best to remember these words when ‘why’ starts to pound my head or heart again.
Thank you, thank you.
Comment by Roos — July 20, 2012 @ 9:46 am
thank you for this today. with family in aurora, my morning has been filled with asking the question over and over. thank you for reminding me that sometimes there is no why. you have inspired me to write a new post today as well: http://mindfulmanicmama.blogspot.com/
So looking forward to meeting you in DC this fall!
Rachel
Comment by Rachel — July 20, 2012 @ 9:57 am
thank you karen.
Comment by Imelda — July 20, 2012 @ 12:23 pm
wow
Comment by Colleen — July 20, 2012 @ 9:56 pm
Karen,
As I struggle today with my son’s evolving diagnosis’ and feel a deep sadness in my heart, I am learning that the ‘why’ does not matter. Your words really spoke to me. There is no why, there’s just is. Thank you.
Comment by juliep — July 21, 2012 @ 12:19 pm
Karen,
I am awe struck by you words. As Bill and I live through the pain of his brothers painful struggle and death from Leukemia your words have brought comfort, insight and joy. This, however, strikes deep into my heart and brings me back to reality once again. Thank you, Marlene
Comment by Marlene — July 22, 2012 @ 9:48 am
after an exhausting weekend confronting the insufficiency of “why” while parenting teens…..oh, to be a redwood, or a dragonfly 🙂
Comment by mj — July 23, 2012 @ 7:34 am
Looks like you posted this Friday morning before the theater tragedy? Wow. I am in Colorado trying to explain to my kids why someone would do this. You are right; there is no why.
Comment by Trish Thomas — July 23, 2012 @ 12:08 pm
I see it was after. Still profound. Thank you.
Comment by Trish Thomas — July 23, 2012 @ 12:09 pm
“old redwoods mingle with day-old dragonflies”. So lovely.
Comment by Ramona felse — September 3, 2012 @ 2:46 pm