Written by Mark Kastleman on January 25, 2010 in Brain Science of Addiction, Masturbation Addiction - 2 Comments

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about this technology-driven, life-at-the-speed-of-light, instant gratification world we live in. There are many wonderful advantages and enjoyments that technology has given us. But, in some ways, it has robbed us of a “child-like” wonder we once possessed. And of course, the struggles of addiction tend to cloud our minds and block out most of our creativity and joy. Over time the brilliant kaleidoscope colors of our child-like curiosity, questioning and wonder can fade to gray. Research shows that as our inquisitive nature wanes, the aging process accelerates and our mental health suffers. Part of having a healthy mind and body is continuing to ask the wondrous child’s question “Why?” and then passionately seeking answers. This “return to wonder” can be a great help in the process of addiction recovery.

While most of my articles are very serious in nature, I wanted to make this one light-hearted and help all of us perhaps recapture just a glimpse of our child-like curiosity and humor.

Here are some “Why” questions to get you started down the pathway of rediscovering your own sense of wonder:

• Why do we press harder on a remote control when we know the batteries are getting weak?
• Why do banks charge a fee on “insufficient funds” when they know there is not enough?
• Why doesn’t glue stick to the bottle?
• Why doesn’t Tarzan have a beard?
• Why is it that no matter what color bubble bath you use the bubbles are always white?
• Why do people constantly return to the refrigerator with hopes that something new to eat will have materialized?
• How do those dead bugs get into those enclosed light fixtures?
• In winter, why do we try to keep the house as warm as it was in summer when we complained about the heat?
• How can there be self-help “groups”?
• Did you ever notice that if you blow in a dogs face it goes mad, yet when you take him on a car ride he sticks his head straight out the window?
• If love is blind, why is lingerie so popular?
• When cheese gets its picture taken, what does it say?
• Do people who spend $2 apiece on those little bottles of Evian water know that spelling it backwards is Naive?
• How do they get the deer to cross at that yellow road sign?
• Do you realize how many holes there could be if people would just take the time to take the dirt out of them?
• Why is a professional who invests your money called a “broker”?
• If one synchronized swimmer drowns, do the rest drown too?
• Can you buy an entire chess set in a pawn shop?
• Why is an electrical outlet called an outlet when you plug things into it? Shouldn’t it be called an inlet
• Why do we scrub Down and wash Up?
• Why does Goofy stand erect while Pluto remains on all fours? They’re both dogs!
• If a cat always lands on its feet, and buttered bread always lands butter side down, what would happen if you tied buttered bread on top of a cat?

Don’t ever stop asking why and enjoying the wonderful journey of discovery that unfolds as a result. Remember, being physically and mentally healthy requires frequent return visits to the innocence of childhood. Rejoice and benefit from your wise and experienced adult mind, but never, never lose the connection to the heart of the child that dwells within you. For it is the heart-mind alliance that brings us the greatest peace, happiness and joy.