These questions have no right or wrong answers.
Because sometimes asking the right questions is the answer.
- How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?
- Which is worse, failing or never trying?
- If life is so short, why do we do so many things we don’t like and like so many things we don’t do?
- When it’s all said and done, will you have said more than you’ve done?
- What is the one thing you’d most like to change about the world?
- If happiness was the national currency, what kind of work would make you rich?
- Are you doing what you believe in, or are you settling for what you are doing?
- If the average human life span was 40 years, how would you live your life differently?
- To what degree have you actually controlled the course your life has taken?
- Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things?
- You’re having lunch with three people you respect and admire. They all start criticizing a close friend of yours, not knowing she is your friend. The criticism is distasteful and unjustified. What do you do?
- If you could offer a newborn child only one piece of advice, what would it be?
- Would you break the law to save a loved one?
- Have you ever seen insanity where you later saw creativity?
- What’s something you know you do differently than most people?
- How come the things that make you happy don’t make everyone happy?
- What one thing have you not done that you really want to do? What’s holding you back?
- Are you holding onto something you need to let go of?
- If you had to move to a state or country besides the one you currently live in, where would you move and why?
- Do you push the elevator button more than once? Do you really believe it makes the elevator faster?
- Would you rather be a worried genius or a joyful simpleton?
- Why are you, you?
- Have you been the kind of friend you want as a friend?
- Which is worse, when a good friend moves away, or losing touch with a good friend who lives right near you?
- What are you most grateful for?
- Would you rather lose all of your old memories, or never be able to make new ones?
- Is is possible to know the truth without challenging it first?
- Has your greatest fear ever come true?
- Do you remember that time 5 years ago when you were extremely upset? Does it really matter now?
- What is your happiest childhood memory? What makes it so special?
- At what time in your recent past have you felt most passionate and alive?
- If not now, then when?
- If you haven’t achieved it yet, what do you have to lose?
- Have you ever been with someone, said nothing, and walked away feeling like you just had the best conversation ever?
- Why do religions that support love cause so many wars?
- Is it possible to know, without a doubt, what is good and what is evil?
- If you just won a million dollars, would you quit your job?
- Would you rather have less work to do, or more work you actually enjoy doing?
- Do you feel like you’ve lived this day a hundred times before?
- When was the last time you marched into the dark with only the soft glow of an idea you strongly believed in?
- If you knew that everyone you know was going to die tomorrow, who would you visit today?
- Would you be willing to reduce your life expectancy by 10 years to become extremely attractive or famous?
- What is the difference between being alive and truly living?
- When is it time to stop calculating risk and rewards, and just go ahead and do what you know is right?
- If we learn from our mistakes, why are we always so afraid to make a mistake?
- What would you do differently if you knew nobody would judge you?
- When was the last time you noticed the sound of your own breathing?
- What do you love? Have any of your recent actions openly expressed this love?
- In 5 years from now, will you remember what you did yesterday? What about the day before that? Or the day before that?
- Decisions are being made right now. The question is: Are you making them for yourself, or are you letting others make them for you?
Please share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.
And check out these books for more thought-provoking questions:
- The Book of Questions
- If… (Questions For The Game of Life)
- The Complete Book of Questions: 1001 Conversation Starters for Any Occasion
Photo by: Sanctuary
Laura says
These questions are great! It really makes you think about yourself and many other things.
Mellifluousmurmurs says
Enjoyed answering these questions! Great collection. Thanks!
Waterliyl says
Here is my response to question 45:
http://xpressinlif.wordpress.com/2012/01/15/if-we-learn-from-our-mistakes-why-are-we-always-so-afraid-to-make-a-mistake/
Vicki says
Excellent questions! Just the questions that I need to ask myself to make me think and grow.
rony says
wow, these questions inspire me!
Suky says
Wow and thank you. I was very pleased and content with most of my answers and it highlighted what I need to work on. This is a really good piece of work. Well done. Very thought provoking.
Maddy says
Very deep. I love questions like this. Deep questions that really get you thinking. I’m always thinking why aren’t people taking control of their lives, not enjoying things, living life to the full etc. I wish everyone was as philosophical about themselves.
lost grip says
These questions are wonderful. Thank you.
bluehamster says
50. Decisions are being made right now. The question is: Are you making them for yourself, or are you letting others make them for you?
————————————————————
Yep, this is exactly the one I need to ask my self right now for the situation I am going thru. I had been feeling uneasy and stuck in anxiety because I was waiting for an answer of someone else’s to decide how I should go on about it.
But I have to have an answer for my self. So I will go on about sparing time for my self to ask what I want to do first. 🙂
Gio says
Awesome questions really makes the mind work and think.
Andreia says
You guys are amazing! Thank you for making such wonderful lists that I can share with all my friends.
What really scares me is how so many people just don’t think for themselves anymore. We allow controlled media to do the thinking for us. Many humans just don’t think anymore unless they are encouraged. Really sad to think this.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU for being real and being you.
teddy grahm says
# 29. Do you remember that time 5 years ago when you were extremely upset? Does it really matter now?
I do and it does. At least, in a way it does. Because five years ago was when my dad left and I haven’t seen him since. I was mad at him for doing that. I was still a kid and now my mom had to raise me and my three brothers on her own.
But, at the same time, it doesn’t matter because I’ve forgiven him. I hate what he did but I love him as a person. “Love the sinner, Hate the sin.” Now, I’m almost an adult, I have a job doing what I love and I’m going to graduate High School soon. My mom did just fine raising me. Even though she was a single parent, she was never alone in raising us. We have so many friends that I have at least 3 ‘second moms’ and ‘father-figures’.
Great set of questions. Very inspiring and thought-provoking.
darius says
#46. I would go swimming in a public pool. I would go to the beach and walk around enjoying the sun and water.
mr.saeed says
This has just inspired me to write a poem, a rant, a short story, and a philoso-rant. Thanks.
Zag says
I just came across your post, great set of mind expanding questions. The key to a freedomental life is asking questions, it opens the mind to receive the answer.
Rat Race says
Thanks for all the inspiring questions.
eva says
I’m grateful I came across your website… 🙂
Paula says
It took a while, but I replied to every single question.
You can see my answers in my blog =D
jk says
I LOVE IT! Great post.
Cassandra says
Lets do number twelve.
I would tell the newborn to not grow up too quickly. This generation is growing up so fast and if they knew that from the start that might just change everything.
And not that this really matters but this comment was made by a 13 year old ….. even I agree the world is growing up goo quickly. And like I said I’m only 13!
Chris F says
Great Post. I really like #3. If life is so short, why do we do so many things we don’t like and like so many things we don’t do?
Steve Jobs said you have to pursue and do what you LOVE, and he is 100% right. People waste their lives working jobs they hate and dream about things they wish they were doing.
Cheers!!
Jemster123 says
Answer for question 2:
Never trying. Then you can never learn from your mistakes.
Mazak says
My thoughts:
1. 15 – that’s how old I feel at the moment..
2. Never trying. Though sometimes the thought of failure just stops me from trying. Just causes me to give up.
3. True…
A look at things I like:
– Playing football in the rain / just playing football… brings a smile to my face.. Just makes me happy
– Learning – just learning for the sake of learning is fun
– Reading xD
– Hanging out with friends
Things that I don’t like but do:
– TV ? Dunno why I watch it half the time.. I guess to avoid more work
4. Trying to really start doing things now when I commit…
5. Just making everybody realize that they have the power to lead the lives that they want to lead
6. If happiness was the national currency, what kind of work would make you rich?
Working with kids – doctor…
7. Are you doing what you believe in, or are you settling for what you are doing?
All these are my choices.. But somehow feels like I have stopped working… almost just settling for the situation as it is
8. – Travel more
– Talk to more people
– Volunteer more
– Hang out more with friends instead of just being at home
9. – Mostly all… All decisions were made by me..
10. – Somehow the first.. I just get caught on the things that I forget to zoom out and see if I am actually doing the right things
11. – Nicely but to the point telling them that much as I respect them they should be respecting my friend…
12. – Don’t take life so seriously…
13. – Depends on situation…
14. – Don’t think so… or actually this one chekhov story.. Most of his stuff.. I just didn’t get it the first time around..
15. – I always do exactly what I feel like… nobody really does that to the extent that I do it… ahahha xD
16. – Different sense of amusement, humour I guess ?
17. – Bungee jumping – don’t know why but I really want to try it.. Have a feeling that I might freak out at the very last minute but gotta just do it.. Been on my mind for a while.. Holding me back – lack of opportunity to do that just now?
18. – Fear of failure..
– Just gotta release it….
19. – Taiwan was first thought actually – weird since I don’t even know how living there would be like..
20. – Sometimes
– Gotta try atleast.. It’s a good placebo..
21. – Idea of being a simpleton is scary
– But I guess geniuses and worry go hand in hand..
– Tough, tough one… for me I think worried genius at this point…
22. – This is exactly the person I want to be?
– Like doing sports, music, difficult subjects. .ahahha and helping people
– What makes me different? Hmm.. Just following my heart, my language abilities, my ability to get along with most people, my childishness
23. – Nope.. And sounds seriously like something I should fix…
– I should talk more (call more), surprise more, and treat more..
– Let the people in my life realize just how important they are to me..
24. – Lot of friends are moving away.. / have.. So kinda got used to it..
– Losing touch I guess..
25. – My freedom to do whatever I feel like doing
– My supporting family and friends.. Really they are the best ones out there.. Though sometimes we all need a break
– For the goodness in the world.. Sometimes whatever you truly desire just happens
– The ability to smile and just be able to keep focusing on the good that there is..
– My guiding teachers..
26. – Losing my old memories might be good for a change since that would really force me to make some new ones.. Losing old ones would mean losing my identity – we are the product of our actions , or something like that… but life would have no meaning if we are just stuck in the past.. So surely just lose all the old ones.. Sure there wouldn’t be a sense of security, identity.. I would lose out on a lot of good ones.. But can keep living..
27. – Nope.. Not for me..
– Unless I have looked at it from all given angles.. Just doesn’t convince me….
28. – I think I kinda focused so much on it that it actually happened.. I am so stuck on the bad things so they just have to happen.. Like this once.. I was sure I was going to drown and nearly did..
29. – Don’t remember no more…
30. – Playing cricket with my friends. The whole atmosphere of friendship, of security of knowing that I could trust all this people and they could trust me, of being part of a team – working together with this sense of camaraderie.
31. – When I last played football.. Just brings a smile to my face… , playing badminton…
– When I was volunteering..especially if I am actually working – like physically making a difference that I can see… makes me just be sure that I am doing the right thing
32. – True that.. Should start on some activities.. Send some mails.. xD
33. – Good question.. Ahahah.. The only think I would lose would be the fear of the action…
34. – Not entirely.. Sometimes there have been conversations based on eye contact.. But not entirely.. Still have to experience this
35. – Because people start manipulating what is written for their own purposes..
36. – I think all of us, deep inside have a sense of whether what we are doing is truly right or wrong…
37. – Not exactly.. I am doing exactly what I want to do.. So no..might use the money for the purpose I guess…
38. – If you enjoy doing it.. It’s not work anymore… so more of it is not an issue.. As long as there is still time for family and friends..
39. – Not really.. Though I guess I could do with a few more changes to the daily routine so that each day is truly enjoyed and celebrated..
40. – Been a while…
41. – Grandparents.. Been a while since I saw them.. Just let them know how I have been doing.. Mostly just spend it with my family… close friends.. Since they are the ones who truly care..
42. – Ahahaha.. Clearly not.. Those things just don’t matter to me.. So no point in losing life over that.. xD
43. – No difference? When one is truly living that’s when you actually feel alive – feel your heart pumping… other times you are just trudging along..
44. – The moment you have the slightest intuitive feeling that what you are doing is the right thing.. That’s when you should just leave all the calculations out..
45. – Because we don’t always learn from them? At the fast pace of life.. We never think really about what we could learn.. We focus more on what it cost us.. Just all the negative impacts from it..
46. – Not much really.. Since people’s opinions don’t matter that much.. But I guess it would reduce the pressure to succeed.. Sometimes.. It seems they care more about my goals than myself.. .
47. – When doing sports?
48. – Family, friends.. Just helping people.. And sports
– Not really.. I kinda thought they would know already how much they mean to me..
49. – Nope.. And sounds like something I really want to change..
50. – Just myself.. Mostly.. So I really have to start realizing that it is really in my own two hands.. And what I do now is going to affect what and who I will be…
———————————-
Thank you for the questions.. helps look at things for a different perspective.. 🙂
BOB says
Love these questions!
Jaipreet Kaur Lall says
Reading these questions really freshened my mind and made me remember my moral science classes which i took when I was young. 🙂
jesiebell says
It’s a really amazing exercise to answer all these question, it can open your mind. Thanks for putting this together.
Zara says
A different side of my brain has officially now received a work out..Thanks for such a great opportunity to delve in to one’s own being…Specific questions really opened new doors in my mind. Zara Xx
max says
This is very thought provoking. thank you 🙂
Robert Rogers says
Just asking questions. Sometimes that is all that it takes to get our juices flowing and our minds motivated. Thanks for these great questions to help inspire!
Aman says
Thanks for asking such a wonderful questions. It makes the difference in ones living by just dealing with these questions.
Love
Aman
Nobody says
Great questions! I stumbled upon it by accident. In my opinion the best one was “what makes you, you?”. 🙂
Sasha says
These questions are great!
niamh says
I love these questions! 😀
Cii says
My mind is free now :))
E.G. Sebastian says
Great list with some insightful questions! Most are great as a meditation focus…
I love the “If life is short, why do we do so many things we don’t like, and like so many things we don’t do?” In fact, this thought hit me a few years ago (or at least a similar though) and started taking regular vacations with my kids, as well as now we kayak more, go fishing regularly, swim, and do all the things living by the Atlantic ocean allows us to do 🙂
I printed out the list and commit to read a few of them daily 🙂
Social Diary says
These were excellent!
Thanks for asking…(no pun intended)
Marcus says
Some really good questions. Got a lot to ponder over now 🙂 Cheers!
E Okul says
Interesting questions indeed 🙂
Natasha says
These inquiries certainly challenge one’s acuity, don’t they? I’m personally fond of these select few you asked,
“10.Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things?”,
“26.Would you rather lose all of your old memories, or never be able to make new ones?”, and
“27.Is is possible to know the truth without challenging it first?”
because they made me examine a side of myself that I typically refrain from contemplating.
Number Ten made me question my morals and the vitality of them, and I found that my beliefs of right and wrong are largely equivocal. Ethical alignment oft confuses me, as while I see no true significance in benevolence, I am usually inclined to act upon what I believe to be selfless and good – willed for reasons I don’t entirely understand.
I enjoyed number twenty – six quite a bit. I had the strangest thought lurking in my mind at that one, and it was that memory itself is too fragile a thing to have definite effect upon a fragment of it being sacrificed; if I lose my memory of my past, and all the knowledge and sagacity due of previous experiences, will I not merely commence to endure the same mistakes again, ergo only resetting my entire life to watch helplessly and restlessly as the same unfamiliar consequences envelope me? In that case, would it ever be possible to make any new memories at all if I were not equipped with ones I’d already accumulated?
And finally, Number twenty – seven, the most elaborate of them all, in my opinion. Truth is forever vague, isn’t it? We, as human beings, exist with an atypical nature to behave in inquisitive intent, our curiosity driving us more apt to uncover the universe’s secrets than most other organisms. We are not here, living these lives simply to worship what we already comprehend. Instead, we are here to question anything we don’t. 🙂
Very interesting questions, they made me think, got me rather focused and prepared my brain. Thank you for taking the time to come up with all of these.
Carolina says
Wow. These questions are really something to think about. Thank you!
Pamela says
Are you holding onto something you need to let go of? – this one hits me hard.
Moda says
One of the best posts I have ever read. Second question is my favorite.
May says
You’re encouraging me to purchase a notebook to list these thoughts.
Rainy Stone (my actual name) says
I love this question especially…
“If life is so short, why do we do so many things we don’t like and like so many things we don’t do?”
my answer: because we care about other people and things in our lives.
Dika says
I liked the questions. Easy to understand and straightforward.
1. How old would you be, if you didn’t know how old you are?
My answer: 14.
2. Which is worse, failing or never trying?
My answer: never trying (this is what I think, not what I always do.)
3. Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things?
My answer: doing the right things; doing things right can be my duty though.
4. If you could offer a newborn child only one piece of advice, what would it be?
My answer: Screw all the people and books that will teach you how to live and walk your own way.
5. Would you rather be a worried genius or a joyful simpleton?
My answer: a worried genius.
6.Would you rather lose all of your old memories, or never be able to make new ones?
My answer: lose all my memories, this cannot be bad at all.
7. Do you feel like you’ve lived this day a hundred times before?
My answer: heck, yeah, a thousand times before and a thousand times after.
Sylvia says
Great questions: really inspiring!
Ali Duggan says
Thanks again for posting these – I am having a ball answering these (slowly)! I’m about halfway through them now and linking back to your entry each time.
Emme says
Great post! I really enjoyed answering the questions. Really inspiring! Thanks.
Ania says
Wow! really made me think, letting go off the things I hold onto for no particular reason really resonates with me.
Great questions to ponder, all of them, THANK YOU!
Karina says
Number 40, “When was the last time you marched into the dark with only the soft glow of an idea you strongly believed in?” is the one I relate to the most- at the moment, since I’m starting a campaign in my province and have no idea how it will turn out. It’s an issue that affects a lot of people so it has to be done, and I’m grateful to take on the challenge. 🙂