Judge a person by their questions, rather than their answers … because asking the right questions is the answer.
In a recent ‘subscribers only’ email (subscribe here) I wrote: “Quiet your mind. Don’t think outside the box of negativity. Think like there is no box.”
To my surprise, over 200 people quoted this short line and responded with the same general question: “How?”
I’ve thought about it for a little while this morning, and I’ve decided that the simplest and most universal explanation I can give is this: Ask yourself better questions – questions that focus your thoughts and filter out all the nonsensical noise that’s been cluttering your mind.
The calming and healing power of a positive imagination is unleashed by constraining your focus. Constraints drive creativity and force mindful thinking. It may sound counterintuitive at first but, in a backwards way, you break out of the box by stepping into the right shackles.
And that’s exactly what the questions below can help you with – shackling the noise in your head by channeling your focus into meaningful thoughts. Let these questions shift your perspective and guide you.
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Please share this post with others who you think will benefit from it, and, as always, share your thoughts with us in the comments section below. If you’re up to it, I’d love to read your response to the very first question: In one sentence, who are you?
Also, check out our sister site, Thought Questions, for more photo-illustrated questions like these, and check out our book if you’re interested in reading even more thought-provoking questions and related life lessons.
For photo credits please refer to ThoughtQuestions.com
Erica says
With every email/post I read of yours I get a bit stronger inside! 😉
And to answer question #1…
I am an artistic square peg in a sea of round holes who has peacefully accepted herself and the isolation that inevitably comes with being myself.
Katherine says
I love your response to the first question. It resonates deeply with me. Thank you for sharing 🙂
Gabe says
In one sentence: I am the sum total of my experiences, my choices, my moods and my dreams – and I will continue to grow with every experience, choice, mood and dream to come.
Love this post! I learn so much from your posts and emails. Just bought your book and love it so far too, Thanks for everything you share. You’re a blessing.
Amandah says
I am free will and pure awareness, the producer and the witness of the eternal creative process.
Thanks for these thoughtful, beautiful questions.
Renee Y. says
I am the result of life’s encounters.
Derrick R says
Who are you??
Well that is a question I have been trying to figure out an answer to for years. I feel that I am in many ways like the luchador who wears a mask or two while in the wrestling ring. The mask is so known that I have to also wear it outside so that I can stay in character for my fans. All the time secretly hoping that my next title defense will also have my opponent win so that they can rip my mask away and expose the true shell of a person inside.
Sorry if that was slightly longer than a sentence.
Andre says
I am very happy to say that these questions helped me research myself.
To the first question: I am everything that could exist in me, and that me is the perfect reflection of anything a man can and can’t imagine.
Eric Valin says
I’m “Ku”.
Joey says
Amazing and profound. Another sleepless night while my thoughts are fighting for attention. I did not want to open this article because I thought it would add to my stress.. But something made me. I have added your 40 questions to my daily calendar for the next 40 days and signed up for your daily emails. Thank you in advance for changing my life.
Annette says
I am a highly sensitive, creative, caring person who has learned from a vast number of experiences that life is worth every minute and I choose to be grateful for each of those minutes – I am pursuing LIFE – physically, spiritually, and emotionally – in every way that will be.
Corey says
I am an insecure, but happy and positive person, looking to find contentment in everyday simplicity.
Joanne says
I am a curious, joy-seeking life-force.
Sarah says
I am everything I have ever admired in others and wished within myself. That is why I identify with these aspirations so, for it is already inside me awaiting my discovery; a reflection of true self.
Joanne says
I am a child of God.
Alan says
The first words that came into my head were “A child of the Creator”. Not so original perhaps as this mirrors “child of God” but a reminder that we are all attached through our ancestors to the beginning of our Planet and beyond to our Creator. And, when we pop-off, hopefully there will be a new and exciting continuing adventure perhaps as “formless, forever Being” reuniting, merging or remaining with he universal life force energy.
Susan says
I am a successful, intelligent, and confident professional who is an inspiration to those around me, and a caring and loving mother who works hard to create a happy home environment for my children and family.
NoOnesNME says
I AM!
Debbie says
I am mind, body, spirit, love, hate, and all emotions in between; I am human.
Thank you for your continued thought provoking posts.
Tejaswini Nagesh says
I think that this is one of your best posts on the blog ever!! I loved it!
My answer to question #1:
I’m a work in progress who always tries to learn from mistakes, either mine or others..
Bobbie A says
I am a human with a physical body and spiritual awareness, happy to be living with the many blessings I have been fortunate to experience.
Joyce Littlefield says
I am a complex human being trying to live a simplified existence.
Greta says
With a nod to Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, I am a spiritual being having a human experience.
Rick Weaver says
I am a TEACHER put on this Earth with the sole purpose of eliciting greatness in others.
Julia says
Thank you…. i love these!
Marie says
I’m a soon to be 78 year old child of God still trying to figure out who I am.
Also, after answering all of the questions, I figured out that I’m a very sensitive, caring and loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, friend and human being who wants peace and harmony to all of Gods children all over this planet. We are all brothers and sisters and need to take care of one another.
Rosemary says
Marie, I am 68 and I am still trying to figure out who I am, too. 🙂
James says
Simply put, thank you for your continued love demonstrated in this blog. I try my best to share through word and deed the wisdom and insight into the human condition gained from spending time in reflection and reading your posts.
I am who I am, who I am to you is who you allow me to be.
Sarah s says
I am a child of God, walking every day trying to live better, love more, and speak peace.
Deana says
I love all the answers I’m reading, but I was stopped in my tracks by yours.
Beverly says
I am a caring, independent, highly sensitive, creative, caring lovable person.
Brad Erskine says
Who am I ?
I am a heartbroken lost lonely sole hoping each day to be reunited with my fiancé that passed away but don’t want to leave my children without their father that they depend on. I am a man full of pain and hurt and want this suffering to ease.
My fiancé took her own life three years ago and I went home to find her. Couldn’t take her son ignoring her anymore. 3 years he never spoke to her. And it finally broke her heart to be a point that she felt that was only way to ease her heart of her pain but she she ever showed it. Kept it all inside until that day. The worst day of my life That vision haunts and terrorizes me each day and every night. ( we are both in our 40’s) she was my whole world and now I feel as if I’m alone and being punished.
So I guess a better answer of who am I would be.
A man that wants out. Out of pain. Out of hurt. Out of depression just want out. Brad
chelle says
Hi Brad, I don t know you but I think you are strong and brave. You are still here for those you love. A little of you is already out and free , each day you will see a little more escaping. I hope you will find yourself enjoying a moment or smiling if only briefly… I pray for you and hope before to long your find the joy you deserve.
Ann says
Brad, if you can afford it, please go see some humorous movies. I would like to do the same but can’t afford it. But it would help.
Mark says
Thanks again. Answering these questions really brought me back to my true self.
I am a universal soul.
Pi says
I’m the decider of my future.
Deana says
Wrote down these 40 questions and hope to work them into my daily quiet time and help to focus my mind and share them with others.
I am the sum total of all my life experiences and whatever God is helping me to make of them as I journey through this world as His child seeking to keep myself open to His will.
Laura says
I am sad that the worlds is so unfair and I don’t have the strength to change it.
David says
You two just keep getting better and better! Thank you! At 54 I still don’t have a definitive answer to #1, but I’m working on it. I also believe as humans we are somewhat dynamic and who we are changes over time, sometimes in response to our circumstances, sometimes in response to time and maturity. I do know for sure that I am a much different person through and through than I was at 20!
Rosemary says
I love this post. Thank you.
SussieQ says
I am who I am, the result of 65 years of programming, combination of being loved and abused, making mistakes and not learning by them ,making mistakes an learning by them, not to be judge mental, accept people as they are, just to enjoy life without hurting any one, to live in peace ,with compassion ,contentment and acknowledge the true beauty all around us. ?
Wanda Wilson says
I am a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ!!
Consuelo Hidalgo says
I am always being.
Dawn says
These questions really made me think and I found that with many of them, sadly, I did not have an answer that came right to my mind.
To answer Question #1 – I am bitter. This isn’t where I want to be, I have tried so hard to be positive, but life keeps knocking me down and my fiancé who I once loved and keep trying to keeps doing things without thought and it kills me. Sometimes I want to let him go, other times I love him. I never thought I’d be where I am mentally/financially/spiritually at 48. I’m so disappointed with myself and others. These posts do make me think and I am grateful for that.
Angel says
I am amazing, strong, and me “Angel”! Best advice I’ve given myself is” Never give up; you are stronger than you think”!
Michelle says
Great questions, and I LOVE the presentation of them! I enjoyed going through these more with the visual posters, and took more time to answer, which was a great exercise! 🙂 Beautiful post!
Lana says
I am 50 and finally realizing that I need to discover who I am and what I enjoy doing after raising ex-husbands and three awesome children (co-dependent is my middle name).
greg says
I am ALIVE!
Jackie says
I am one with the Universe.
Jackie says
At 86 I have been on the path for a very long time… There is nothing but energy in this Universe, all there is is energy therefore we are all one. Somewhat like the waves in the ocean all different but all part of the same ocean. This is very fulfilling and exciting.
God being ALL, I like to picture Him as the Universe.
Gloria says
I am enough! I am not my circumstances! I AM!
Great post. I will be adding these questions to my daily meditation journal.
MarkS says
I am who I choose to be at any given moment; I am one who knows that my moods, my words, my actions, and ultimately my destination in this life are my choice.
Akanksha Srivastava says
I am a girl whom God has blessed so much.
Tokovia says
Who am I?
I am complex enchanted simplicity.
A loner who adores people.
I’m quiet courage.
I am strength.
Evalynn says
As a high school English teacher, I’m planning on using these as daily quick writes in my classroom.
Thank you for posting this. I love the images you’ve selected for each question. Beautiful work.
Also, my answer, “I am a mermaid, fearing no depth this world may hold.”
Sara says
I’m a survivor who wakes up every morning just to go on…