Waiting on the Why: The Search for Meaning and Purpose in the Face of Worry, Anxiety, Adversity and Overthinking

By Gordon Clark

In life, we often face moments that leave us questioning everything—struggling to find meaning in the adversity that comes our way. "Waiting on the Why" is a profound exploration of these moments that offers a candid look into the journey through worry, anxiety, and overthinking. With raw honesty and deep reflection, the author shares personal experiences that many of us can relate to, illuminating the path to finding purpose amid life's challenges. This book is more than just a narrative; it's a guide for those who feel lost in the whirlwind of their thoughts. It offers practical strategies to break free from the cycles of overthinking and regain control over your mental well-being. "Waiting on the Why" encourages readers to embrace the uncertainty of life, trust in the process, and discover the strength that comes from enduring even the darkest times. Whether you are grappling with life's big questions or seeking peace in a chaotic world, this book will help you navigate your journey and find meaning.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Nov 1, 2024
• ISBN: 9798350978964

Book preview

Cover of Waiting on the Why by Gordon Clark

Waiting on the Why

The Search for Meaning and Purpose

in the Face of Worry, Anxiety, Adversity and Overthinking

©2024, Gordon Clark

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

ISBN: 979-8-35097-895-7

ISBN eBook: 979-8-35097-896-4

I dedicate this book to God, my family, and my friends who stood by me and helped me through the darkest and most difficult times of my life. Without them, I would not be here to tell my story.

Contents

Preface

1. The Search for Meaning

2. Philosophical Perspectives

3. Defining Adversity

4. The Psychology of Suffering

5. The Weight of Worry

6. Living with Anxiety

7. Overthinking Everything

8. Personal Stories of Resilience

9. Famous Figures Struggle Too

10. Self-Discovery and Reflection

11. Building Resilience

12. Practical Steps to Find Meaning

13. Living with Purpose

14. The Role of Faith

15. Embracing the Journey

16. Epilogue

Appendices

Acknowledgments

About the Author

Preface

Why—it’s one of the most universal questions we ask ourselves and each other. It is both simple and complex at the same time. Three little letters that have a profound impact on us every day.

As young children, we want to know everything and start asking why as soon as we can talk. As parents, we do our best to answer, but we are often at a loss when faced with the repeated deluge of why from the backseat on the way to school, gymnastics, or baseball practice. Sometimes, the answers are easy, but as we age, the answers become more complex and elusive.

We all struggle with the whys of life more than we care to admit. We long to find answers and meaning in things we don’t understand. A three-year-old might ask why the sky is blue or the grass is green, but those pale compared to the more challenging questions we face as we grow. Questions like, Why do we have to move? Why are kids mean to me? Why did our dog have to die? Why don’t Mommy and Daddy love each other anymore? Why? Why? Why?

Life is full of whys and questions. Humans are wired to reconcile life’s events, answer why, or find meaning or purpose. We like things to make sense. There is an answer to every why, but we don’t always see it—and that’s okay. We seek answers, and often, we get them, but sometimes, the lack of answers and reasons causes us the most pain or introspection.

I have struggled with worry, anxiety, and overthinking for as long as I can remember. Many of us do, and adding that to all the whys in life can be debilitating. I have seen my share of adversity, as many of us have. My parents divorced when I was very young, and they both remarried within a few years. I had to adapt to having two new families, multiple steps, and half-siblings, requiring a lot of emotional and psychological adjustment. I changed careers multiple times and faced significant corporate sabotage, backstabbing, and betrayal. I spent decades in corporate America, working from internships to assistant vice presidencies. I helped train countless individuals throughout my career, trying to coach and develop the next generation of high-caliber leaders. As a divorced father of two, I have learned the meaning of love and betrayal, joy and sorrow, happiness and pain. All of these created various forms of adversity I needed to address and find ways to rise above.

I am writing this book now, amidst some of the most significant hardships in my life, to explore the nature of adversity and how we, as a society and individuals, deal with emotional pain and struggle as we seek meaning and purpose. I also want to examine these issues through the lens of what seems to be an increasing pattern of worry, anxiety, and overthinking in the world as a whole.

I will explore varying viewpoints, from historical and modern psychology principles to spiritual and faith-based perspectives. I will include many of my experiences and struggles, trying to answer why, or how I attempt to find meaning and purpose without clear answers. I will also include many biblical references (NIV) since my faith in God has played a central role in my search for meaning and purpose.

I want to examine many things we try not to think about or admit. We worry too much, we overthink, we get overwhelmed with anxiety, and we often don’t deal with these things in healthy ways. I want to reassure the reader that you are not alone and not the only one who struggles with the need for answers in the face of adversity. In our own way, we are all just trying to get from one day to the next, trying to make sense of everything. I hope this is an illuminating journey of growth, catharsis, perspective, and peace as we search for meaning and continue patiently—waiting on the why.

1

The Search for Meaning

Life is a journey made of twists, turns, and unexpected challenges. At some point, we each ask difficult questions: Why is this happening? What is the bigger picture? Where is this taking me in life? These are the moments when life feels overwhelming, when the weight of adversity bears down in a way we can hardly resist, and the answers seem entirely out of reach.

This book is a product of the questions I have repeatedly asked myself in the face of worry, anxiety, and uncertainty. Like many others, I have struggled to find the meaning behind the hardships, understand the purpose of the pain, and ultimately find myself through the difficulties.

I have wrestled with worry, overthinking, and an unyielding sense of anxiety, often feeling as though I was walking alone through life with an unseen but very real personal burden. Through this journey, I have realized that struggles are not without purpose. They are, in fact, an integral part of life that makes us who we are and leads us closer to the answers we seek.

Why We Ask Why

Why? is one of the first questions children learn to ask, and it remains one of the most persistent questions throughout our lives. This simple, three-letter word carries the weight of our deepest concerns, most profound doubts, and most fervent hopes. It arises in the face of mystery, injustice, and suffering, seeking to uncover the meaning behind the events in our lives.

We ask why because our minds are wired to seek patterns, find connections, and understand the causes and effects of the world around us. When something contradicts our expectations—tragedy strikes, life takes an unexpected turn, or we face personal suffering—we instinctively seek an explanation. We want to know why things happen the way they do and how they fit into the larger narrative of our lives. In short, we want answers.

But the question of why goes beyond mere curiosity. It is often a cry from the depths of our soul, a plea for understanding amid confusion and pain. We ask why because we are searching for reassurance that our suffering is not in vain, that there is a reason behind the hardship, and that we are not alone in our struggles. It is a question that reflects our desire for meaning, our need for comfort, and