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Editor’s Note
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Thoughts from the Editor
Okay, fair warning, I’m feeling pretty philosophical right now. This might go sideways because I’m no philosopher.
The Answer to How is Yes: Acting on What Matters by Peter Block
This morning, as I was looking through my friend’s bookshelf, I stumbled across a book that caught my attention. I read and reread a title that grabbed me:
I was stopped in my tracks as I thought about the title.
Consider this with me for a moment; answering the question “How do I do it?” may begin with “yes.” What if “yes” is the priority, not “how”?
“Yes, I’ll do it.” or “Yes, I’ll start it.” or “Yes, I’ll lead it.”
Our “yes” in the face of unanswered questions may be more important than knowing how. Saying yes when we don’t know how is what actually moves things forward. “Yes” has always been the answer of courageous heroes from history and storybooks. “Yes” is the way of the pioneer, the discoverer, the intrepid. Starting with yes is the doorway to discovering how.
Upon reflection, every time I’ve paused to “know how” to do something before I’ve committed has only led me to feel stuck and stagnant. Maybe you’ve experienced the same.
“How?” isn’t a bad question. In fact, most of the time when we ask “how?” we get the help we’re looking for. It’s a matter of prioritizing the right questions and not using “how?” as a deterrent to “yes” or to an even deeper question: “Why?”
“Too often when a discussion is dominated by questions of How? we risk overvaluing what is practical and doable and postpone the questions of larger purpose and collective well being…[postponing the question: How?] would force us to engage in conversations about why we do what we do, as individuals and as institutions. It would create the space for longer discussions about purpose, about what is worth doing.”
- Peter Block, The Answer to How is Yes: Acting on What Matters
Purposeful Living is the theme of Lifestyle Magazine this month, and our hope is that it causes us each to pause and consider why we do what we do. Inside are some amazing local businesses and people living with intention. They’ve inspired me and I hope they inspire you to consider your purpose and act on what matters.
Cheers,
Eric Riley
Executive Editor Lifestyle Magazine
President / Owner Topograph
