There is something in the expression “Only you” that puzzles me. I’ve heard it said about my organization in the context of “You are the only ones who would do this,” and I’ve often heard it personally, sometimes accompanied by a rueful shake of the head.

My response, in both circumstances, is a variation on “why not?” Why would we not want to have an organization that offers the best in care and innovation? Why wouldn’t we want to continue to raise the bar, not because we are required to but because we care, because it is the right thing to do?”

The same applies personally, wanting to reach further, to grow and change. If I can take on a new challenge, learn a new skill, create change, why wouldn’t I do?

I have never believed in good enough or resting on our laurels. And I often quote Maya Angelou, “when we know better, we do better” but that knowledge does not just appear, we have to open our eyes and look for it, we have to open our minds and ask questions, we have to put fear aside and try.

Children, starting around the age of two, are famous for asking “why” about everything. They don’t always understand the answer, and, frankly, we don’t always know the answer but the question is instinctive and natural. As human beings, we are born to ask why, born to look for answers, born to reach higher.

Yet, we often give that up along the way. It’s easier to accept, to “go along and get along,” to be a part of the crowd. Why not pushes us further, asks to get out of our comfort zone, expands our thinking and enables us to see options.

We know that not every problem has a solution and that not every opportunity to change is one we can explore. But giving ourselves permission to ask the two key questions, “what if” and “why not” can allow us to open our minds and soar, once again opening our full hearts.