“An empowered life begins with serious personal questions about oneself. Those answers bare the seeds of success.” ~ Steve Maraboli
Many of us go through life and may never stop to ask ourselves the questions that could mean the difference between a great life or a mediocre one. We go about our days on autopilot, from one task to the next, and rarely take the time to breathe, reflect and think about the quality of our life. Are we happy in our job? Do we feel fulfilled in life? Are we in satisfying relationships?
Finding answers to life’s important questions is a big act of self-love. We can also help others by asking them the right questions about their life. Some of these questions could be the most difficult ones we ever ask, “What’s making you drink so much?”, “Have you thought about forgiving your father?” Deep thinking and awareness can come about, even radical change, by asking the questions that need to be asked.
In the book, Peanuts: A Golden Celebration, the famous comic Charles Schulz writes a passage about conversation and how it can change lives.
“Children do not converse. They say things. They ask, they tell, and they talk, but they know nothing of one of the great joys in life, conversation. Then, along about twelve, give or take a year on either side, two young people sitting on their bicycles near a front porch on a summer evening begin to talk about others that they know, and conversation is discovered. Some confuse conversation with talking, of course, and go on for the rest of their lives, never stopping, boring others with meaningless chatter and complaints. But real conversation includes asking questions, and asking the right ones before it’s too late.”
Asking the right questions about something you are observing in another’s life can be one of the biggest gifts you can give to another person. We often listen to a person’s complaints, struggles and sorrows as a form of support and compassion without challenging them on how they can change. That’s not to say that there is anything wrong in giving support, but there may exist an opportunity to ask a question that get’s to the heart of the matter even if it’s uncomfortable to ask.
Questions that can Open Up New Possibilities
In addition to challenging people with meaningful, soul-searching questions, we can ask ourselves questions about what matters most to us and where our life may be falling short of our wants and desires.
The 10 questions below can help with self-introspection and exploring where you are in life and want to be.
- What makes me truly happy and fulfilled? Am I doing these things now? If not, what’s stopping me?
- What are my unique gifts and talents? Am I using these in life?
- What is my purpose in life?
- What would I do if I knew I couldn’t fail?
- Am I making what I want a priority?
- Who can I forgive for a better life?
- Am I living my life according to my personal values?
- What relationship is not working for me?
- What repetitive thoughts and beliefs might be limiting me?
- Am I taking care of myself, emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually?
Find a relaxing place like your favorite chair or outdoor space, pour your favorite beverage, breathe deeply, and take time to write the answers to the above questions. Don’t rush, really think about the answers and have them come from your heart, not your head. Perhaps you can answer the questions with a spouse or friend and help him or her do the same. How enlightening that could be!
Whatever your answers are, be kind to yourself about where you are in life because if it’s not where you feel you should be, it’s all a part of life’s perfect plan. Life is a journey that’s meant to be questioned. Years from now you may wish you had taken some time out to really think about the vision you have for your life and if it matches your current reality. Don’t wait to live life your way even if it’s simple small steps in the direction of your choosing.
What would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail? Leave us your answer or a comment below. We’d love to hear from you!
Build a base for my organization, invent the fifty things I always wanted to invent, rid the world of poverty and homelessness and hunger. Write books and music.
I would fall in love, send fresh flowers to church every first sunday of the month and look after a poor child who may need my help.