Something new - because why not?

It is phrase we often hear, or at least one that I often hear passed around: "Why not?". I have just finished my first semester of junior year at the University of Dayton, and I am currently in what is supposed to be the best time of my life, and trust me, it is. But, owning a business, managing a social life, and trying to balance schoolwork without losing my sanity is a lot, especially when people keep saying, "why not?". 

It can reference a question such as "Should I talk to him" or "Should I do it", and "why not" in that sense speaks to only having one life and trying to live with no regrets. It highlights our nature and desire to take risks and to ask for forgiveness rather than permission. But, it can also be a response to, "I don't want to" or "That is not something I enjoy". Having someone ask you "why not" to that implies judgment, whether intentional or not. But, it also makes you think. Why don’t you want to do something, why don’t you enjoy it?

I am all for taking risks, for living our best lives and for running towards what scares us rather than running away. I live for adventure and trying something new, for being bold and confident. So why not do something crazy; why not break out of your comfort zone; why not do something you have always wanted to do? For those in college, where conversations tend to center around parties and relationships, why not talk to the guy you think is attractive; why not make new friends; why not explore a new area of town or your campus? That is what life is all about, because unless what you want to do is illegal or going to harm yourself or others, what is holding you back? 

Failure. 

A fear of failure tends to be what holds people back, but my response to that is do it anyway. It goes back to that notion of running towards your fears - failure is only an obstacle, not something that is going to hold you down forever. Failure allows you to learn and grow and become a better and smarter person. I know it can be hard, you don't want to let yourself down but you certainly don't want to let others down, so you say "but" to think of another way to go about it. Take out the "but" and replace it with drive and purpose, the shear will do something because YOU want to. Because, in all honesty, why not?

​So, do something new. Find your purpose and ask yourself "why not" because I promise you, you'll realize that the answer is something trivial, something that won't matter in 5 years. Decide to train for a marathon, start your on business, move across the country, spark a conversation with someone new, and make the choice to take a chance.
 
This is YOUR life, your incredible and wild journey, so why not do it all, or at least try?