post written by: Marc
40 Photo-Illustrated Questions to Refocus Your Mind
Asking the right questions is the answer…
It’s not the answers you get from others that will help you, but the questions you ask of yourself. Here are 40 thought-provoking questions to help you refresh and refocus your thinking:
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Please share your thoughts with us in the comments section below. Also, check out our sister site, Thought Questions, for more photo-illustrated questions like these; and check out The Book of Questions
Title photo by: Helga Weber
For all other photo credits please refer to ThoughtQuestions.com
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125 Comments
February 23rd, 2012 at 1:01 pm
I have to share this. It’s great! Very inspiring!
February 23rd, 2012 at 1:03 pm
Beautiful questions! I love you guys. How is it that two young people are so wise?
As always, thank you.
February 23rd, 2012 at 2:13 pm
These are fabulous! So thought-provoking and inspiring.
February 23rd, 2012 at 3:06 pm
Thank you. Many of these are the exact questions I need to confront. Just perfect for today.
February 23rd, 2012 at 3:08 pm
Love it!! Such important questions to ask ourselves…
February 23rd, 2012 at 3:13 pm
It’s really fascinating that the answer to some of these questions just comes to my mind as soon as i finish looking at it. But some of the questions leave me speechless at first, they’re almost breathtaking… When I read this, all the unimportant (superficial) thoughts, opinions and imaginations about oneself, life, etc. fade away and I get a bit of the feeling back of what life REALLY is about.
Thank you so much!
February 23rd, 2012 at 4:01 pm
Love these. I went through them and answered most of them as quickly as I could. I think I’m going to make it a project to write them down in more detail and with more thought.
I especially liked #1, about which I recently wrote a rather long article.
February 23rd, 2012 at 6:51 pm
#38. Wow! I love it!
February 23rd, 2012 at 9:59 pm
Each of these inspiring questions are perfect blog post starters. Thanks!
February 24th, 2012 at 2:36 am
I really love this! The answers to most came so quickly, I suprised myself. But there were others that took some pondering. Thanks for inspiring me day after day after day after day…
February 24th, 2012 at 3:38 am
I am a bit haunted by #25 cause I cannot answer that. I’ve used, if not wasted, last year on daily routine (work, home, work, home) and nothing else. Thanks for prompting me to notice that I need to make a positive change.
February 24th, 2012 at 3:54 am
This was a great way to test our own minds… to confront some hidden truths! Thanks you.. this was enlightening!
February 24th, 2012 at 4:26 am
Fabulous photos and insightful questions. Can I copy these to my space and make a link to your blog?
February 24th, 2012 at 4:30 am
Thanks so much. This is really, really inspiring stuff. Everybody should ask these questions at least every couple of years.
February 24th, 2012 at 8:17 am
I love reading your articles in the morning and these photo illustrated questions are just absolutely brilliant!
Thank you for making me smile and making me think.
February 24th, 2012 at 8:18 am
Inspiring questions. Thanks!
February 24th, 2012 at 8:40 am
I think I need to journal through this list, one picture and question a day. Funny, I’m not much on journaling, but these questions really struck me as launching pads.
February 24th, 2012 at 9:07 am
This is just fantastic, so inspiring and creative. Well done!
February 24th, 2012 at 9:10 am
Amazing collection. As Tara has said above, great ideas for my blog posts! Thanks so much.
February 24th, 2012 at 9:12 am
A great post. Thanks for sharing and provoking us to put on the thinking cap.
February 24th, 2012 at 9:25 am
Very inspiring , I had to share with my family & friends. Thanks.
February 24th, 2012 at 9:36 am
Very helpful in stirring my thoughts.
February 24th, 2012 at 10:31 am
Very thought provoking… I surprised myself with some of my answers. Want to spend time going through these with my husband.
February 24th, 2012 at 10:54 am
Thank you
Better than coffee as a way to begin the day!
February 24th, 2012 at 11:18 am
Perfect gift today! Will share these with friends on a retreat this weekend! Namaste!
February 24th, 2012 at 11:20 am
Truly inspiring! What great content you provide each week. I look forward to your emails.
February 24th, 2012 at 11:37 am
Amazing as always.
February 24th, 2012 at 1:56 pm
I typed this list on a separate paper and answered all the questions… Wow, what an incredibly rewarding and enlightening experience! Amazing! Thank you!
February 24th, 2012 at 3:08 pm
Every photo and question makes me think and analyze my life. Very meaningful.
February 24th, 2012 at 3:14 pm
AMAZING! I shared these on Facebook and will share with my Live Your Sparkle eZine subscribers next week! As a life coach, I’m always asking questions. You’ve inspired a few more in my tool kit. And the images are breathtaking!
Thanks so much!
Paula Onysko
February 24th, 2012 at 3:27 pm
By question #40, I was almost in tears… the questions were so simple but made me evaluate so much. I’m not even sure I can explain how each answer made me feel and think. Truly amazing!
February 24th, 2012 at 3:52 pm
These questions have re-opened my mind to positive ideas. Thanks.
February 24th, 2012 at 6:32 pm
Great questions Marc and Angel. 33. you ask “If you had the opportunity to get a message across to a large group of people what would your message be?” My message would be “life is short, be who you are meant to be, love yourself and give other a little slack, they may not have figured out who they are yet.’
One question I would like to add is, “Does it really matter what other people may think of You?”
Many people can loss there own idenity because they are worried about what others may or may not think. It is always best to be true to yourself and be just who you are meant to be.
Thanks for sharing these question, they are great.
Blessing to you both,
Debbie
February 24th, 2012 at 6:35 pm
Wonderful questions… I think I’m going to tape them into my journal to focus on one question each day. Just my initial responses to reading each lets me know I need to focus on them in more detail! Thank you.
February 24th, 2012 at 6:44 pm
These are wonderful! I think they’d be great for a journaling exercise or for blog posts or even for questions to discuss with your spouse. Thanks for another great, thoughtful post!
February 24th, 2012 at 9:01 pm
These questions came to me at the right moment. Thank you.
Whiteswan
February 24th, 2012 at 9:08 pm
Great list of questions! They’re actually a little scary because I cant answer all of them, and i should be able to since I’ve been on this earth between 35-40 years. Should i be concerned? I guess I”ll work on the answers.
Thought provoking…
Thank you.
February 24th, 2012 at 10:45 pm
I loved this. Very provocative. Thank you for sharing.
February 25th, 2012 at 3:22 am
You constantly find new and creative ways to feed my soul. I will be forever grateful that I stumbled across your website. Simply profound and profoundly simple - know that you are, moment-by-moment, making an indelible difference in so many lives… including mine, and those whom I love.
Kia ora, danke, merci, thank you.
February 25th, 2012 at 9:55 am
Great thought provoking questions.
Definitely will have to handle each question one day at a time. So much to process. Thanks for another great post.
February 25th, 2012 at 10:05 am
Clueless for words…
Thank you! Namaste!!
February 25th, 2012 at 12:24 pm
Another great blog post, as always. Thanks.
February 25th, 2012 at 1:51 pm
Hi, this is Faizal from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, I’ve read all of your posts. I’ve spent the whole night reading your blog and I find it so very, very inspirational. Keep up a good work and thank you for sharing your thoughts and words. Everything you put together is wonderful.
February 25th, 2012 at 1:55 pm
Awesome post! Inspiring! Thank you!
February 25th, 2012 at 2:58 pm
Everyone, thanks so much for the kind words and added insight.
Your thoughtfulness and kindness continues to inspire us.
February 25th, 2012 at 3:46 pm
Indeed amazing and inspiring. Questions are the mother of growth, change and transformation.
February 25th, 2012 at 6:06 pm
I loved this post! Not only was it thought provoking, the pictures were beautiful.. As always, I enjoy each and everything on your site.
February 25th, 2012 at 9:23 pm
Thank you. I will share this with my students as it is an excellent way to explore your self-worth.
February 26th, 2012 at 7:50 am
Great questions! One has to be honest enough to answer to these questions to him/herself. Such eye openers…
February 26th, 2012 at 11:50 am
You dears, are awesome! I can’t tell you how excited I get when I’m reading your articles. Good job!
February 26th, 2012 at 12:39 pm
Loved it! Questions like these demonstrate curiosity, are the breath of resiliency, and account for the difference between life and an amazing life.
February 26th, 2012 at 1:45 pm
I always love your content; however, your illustrations tend toward younger people. Older people have hopes, dreams, and passions too; it doesn’t go away with age. I’m 50 and have some mileage behind me, but that mileage gives me perspective that younger folks just won’t get without experience. Like I said, I love questions and content, just some additional food for thought…
February 26th, 2012 at 4:30 pm
Got me thinking! Thanks
February 26th, 2012 at 10:50 pm
Wow.. MMT =) Nudges me and makes me more aware of the reality! Love.
February 27th, 2012 at 4:09 am
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful and thought-provoking!
February 27th, 2012 at 4:11 am
@Joe Gartrell I love what you’re saying, and I’d like to add *further* food for thought.
Maybe they’re telling you that “age is a state of mind,” so start *enjoying the youth and thinking youthful yourself.*
What I always loved about my grandparents was how willing they were to play with us, to learn new video games or listen sincerely to our new stories
Rock on and ryze up, man!
February 27th, 2012 at 12:22 pm
I am going to answer them soon
Definitely need to ask myself these regularly.
February 27th, 2012 at 1:46 pm
I just wanted to say thanks. I’m at a crossroads in my life at the moment and honestly I’m feeling lost and confused. Having discovered this site has helped me think about what I can do to become a better person and achieve my dreams and goals. Thank you.
February 27th, 2012 at 9:35 pm
LOVE these questions!
Keep it up.
February 28th, 2012 at 11:14 am
A fun and inspiring post. Answering each question was an experience. Thanks!
February 28th, 2012 at 12:37 pm
The illustrations match the questions perfectly. I don’t think it is necessary to ask yourself all of these questions at once, but I think asking a few of these questions from time to time is essential for self reflection and improvement.
February 28th, 2012 at 7:36 pm
Thought provoking, inspiring. Each question, while attempting to answer, brings up more questions. I’ll be up thinking all night now
*new follower*
February 28th, 2012 at 8:09 pm
Wow, 40 awesome questions to ponder! I wrote out my answers and plan on re-doing it again in a year and seeing what has changed, and more importantly what values, ideas and beliefs I have stuck too! (:
February 29th, 2012 at 12:00 am
Great questions to explore oneself! Answers to some come on impulse while some require deep thinking.
February 29th, 2012 at 2:50 am
Such thought provoking questions and images. Thanks for the time spent preparing this!
February 29th, 2012 at 6:37 am
Great collection of pictures and questions. Inspiring and deeply thought-provoking.
February 29th, 2012 at 9:44 am
Great pics and questions. I’ll have to keep coming back to this when I’m in the right mindset to ask myself a question…
Cheers, Andrew
February 29th, 2012 at 9:18 pm
These are all important questions, and I will probably use several of them as writing prompts in my high school classroom.
A question that my mom taught me to ask myself is “What did you do today to get where you want to be tomorrow?”
March 1st, 2012 at 2:29 am
As someone who found out just two days ago that he’s clinically depressed, #25 made me feel really good. Thank you! This was a wonderful post.
March 1st, 2012 at 7:48 am
The photo for question #14 was taken at Berry College - the college I attended many years ago. Awesome! That alone brought about a lot of memories and questions for me.
March 1st, 2012 at 11:56 am
Brilliant questions! Thanks a lot…
March 1st, 2012 at 11:53 pm
I just have to tell you that this is brilliant stuff. I love coming here because it makes me think and reflect. I took your challenge back in January and wrote an entire blog post answering one of your blogs; not sure if you knew it as I did link back to you, but if you’re like me and don’t allow trackbacks you may never have seen it.
Just amazing, especially this one with the images. I’m glad I found this blog.
March 2nd, 2012 at 5:28 am
Beautiful photos, thought-provoking questions…Only thing I’d wish for is a bit more diversity in the shots. Lovely work though. #22 is my favorite question, #16 my favorite image.
March 2nd, 2012 at 9:56 pm
These are great images and the questions will keep you thinking for a while. I like the question “what is one thing nobody can take away.”
March 3rd, 2012 at 12:09 am
Thank you for this! It’ll really give me something to think about. The lovely visuals also help to get my mind going and rolling with ideas.
March 3rd, 2012 at 6:21 am
Self reflection is one of my hobbies… Thank you for helping me to regain perspective. A continuous effort but so worthwhile.
March 3rd, 2012 at 10:22 am
Truly thought provoking. I have to think on some of these questions and answer them at a later time.
March 4th, 2012 at 12:48 am
Inspiring questions. I think the guy in the third picture wants water…
March 4th, 2012 at 12:20 pm
Good questions, i keep asking myself some of those, from time to time… Made me smile, too.
March 4th, 2012 at 2:35 pm
Awesome list!
One I think about often and might add is:
“If I don’t do it now, what opportunity might I miss?”
Thanks for sharing!
March 5th, 2012 at 3:32 am
What didn’t last forever but was still worth my while?
Easy!
My marriage. Any day.
March 5th, 2012 at 10:43 pm
Thinking about using these as starters in one of my classes, Thanks.
March 6th, 2012 at 1:35 am
Thought provoking and inspiring. I think I will do something similar on my blog one day - different questions, but I like the photo idea. I have thousands of my own photos, so it should be fairly easy. Thank you.
March 6th, 2012 at 1:09 pm
Great idea for a post. Thank you!
March 7th, 2012 at 6:19 am
I often ask myself and others, “what would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail?”.
March 7th, 2012 at 8:54 am
As always, it’s the questions you ask and, most importantly, the questions you ask of yourself that elevates awareness and enhances connectedness to source. Thanks for some good ones.
March 8th, 2012 at 1:17 pm
What a great thought provoking exercise.
March 9th, 2012 at 2:40 pm
Hi,
This is simply wonderful, hope you don’t mind my reprinting your first question-photo and directing my readers here. Your site is so inspiring!
Best regards,
Lisa
March 10th, 2012 at 2:54 pm
It is incredible how these questions make you think. Awesome questions! It helped me a lot.
March 12th, 2012 at 1:09 pm
What beautiful photography to go along with such thought provoking questions
March 13th, 2012 at 2:32 pm
Thanks for the positive lift today.
March 13th, 2012 at 6:33 pm
Wow, inspiring pictures and questions. :]
March 14th, 2012 at 9:45 am
This post is very thought provoking and worth reflecting on. I wrote each of the 40 questions down on paper because I plan to dedicate some time to really letting these questions marinade in my thoughts and help me in my journey to be the best I can be. I wish you all the best, thank you to the author, and everyone smile; It’s the best kryptonite to negativity. Love, Live, Life.
Sincerely,
James H.
March 15th, 2012 at 8:42 am
This is incredibly powerful and also inspiring for me as a writer. Some of the answers to these will ultimately become blog posts. Thank you!
March 15th, 2012 at 10:22 am
Just wonderful!
Going to share it!
Thank you.
March 15th, 2012 at 1:10 pm
Shocking… in a good way! Thanks.
March 17th, 2012 at 1:56 pm
This makes me happy.
March 19th, 2012 at 12:39 pm
Sharing with my list of subscribers and FB fans for sure!
Thank you!
March 19th, 2012 at 4:18 pm
Great idea! Answered them all! I’ll save my answers and check them in a year.
Muchas gracias!
March 20th, 2012 at 1:08 pm
Great questions to ask ourselves.
March 21st, 2012 at 9:37 am
These are wonderful! I really needed this today. Especially #36. I would love to turn this into a powerpoint and use it as my daily writing prompts. Can I?
March 21st, 2012 at 12:10 pm
Right now, what do you want most? I love it.
March 22nd, 2012 at 3:34 am
These questions are mind-opening. Thanks…
March 22nd, 2012 at 5:10 pm
Really wonderful images and questions. Gives us a chance to relax and reflect.
March 23rd, 2012 at 9:38 am
Wow! I love this post! Inspiring and thought provoking.
March 24th, 2012 at 12:09 am
I really enjoyed this. It really made me think about what I need to do to fix my problems and help others. Thanks !
March 27th, 2012 at 1:06 am
Thanks for this lovely post. The questions make me think.
March 28th, 2012 at 10:32 pm
Thanks for this post. Indeed inspiring and thought provoking
April 1st, 2012 at 6:22 pm
Great post!
April 7th, 2012 at 6:23 am
Thank you for sharing
You just made my day and yes, I’m spreading it on my page as well 
More power!
April 11th, 2012 at 3:12 am
Good questions… Now am asking… “Who am I?”
April 12th, 2012 at 4:52 am
One of the first pages I looked at on your blog. Loved it! Really enjoyed the opportunity to do a self analysis
April 12th, 2012 at 6:37 am
Loved the questions and the corresponding photos.
April 14th, 2012 at 8:27 pm
Really thought provoking. These questions helped me realize a few things in life.
April 18th, 2012 at 8:28 am
6 months ago my spirit broke literally when I was diagnosed with a lifelong cortisol insufficiency. I almost went insane because of the psychological impact it had on me and also I was not feeding my soul. I have been working hard to get back to feeling good, and in the darkest days I found this site. Your blog and these questions helped me to focus on the positive. Thank you, you have helped restore the some of my light in my darkest hours!
April 27th, 2012 at 1:02 pm
Hi! I love this! I actually came across this post when I was googling about ideas for blog posts. Been in a bit of a writer’s block mode, but I feel totally inspired to write about these great questions. I hope you don’t mind if I borrow them for some upcoming posts. I’ll be sure to link back to your site!!
Thanks
Cafe
May 1st, 2012 at 9:30 pm
You have a wonderful way of expressing yourselves, and a wonder following to boot. You must work very at your craft.
May 2nd, 2012 at 9:46 am
Makes me question my priorities and reminded me to count my blessings… Thanks!
July 20th, 2012 at 10:23 am
This came after a long, depressing year at work ! Thank you for reminding me that there is more (much more) to life !
July 24th, 2012 at 8:48 am
Very inspiring, with nice pictures. Thank you
August 29th, 2012 at 4:18 am
Very thought inspiring questions I was surprised some of them I couldn’t answer. Something to think about for sure.
October 7th, 2012 at 9:25 pm
Awesome, thought-provoking questions!
October 26th, 2012 at 5:36 am
This is an awesome post, I am deeply inspired
November 21st, 2012 at 11:51 am
This is absolutely the best page/post I have ever seen. I am blown away. Thank you!
December 17th, 2012 at 12:43 pm
Very inspiring questions. Thank you for this.
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