Asking the right questions is the answer.
In a recent email newsletter I wrote, “Ease your mind today. Don’t think outside the box; think like there is no box.”
And to my surprise, 97 people quoted that line and responded with the same general question: “How?”
I’ve spent the morning thinking about how to answer their collective question in the most universal way possible, and I’ve decided that the simplest explanation I can give is this: Ask yourself better questions — questions that focus your thoughts and filter out the excess 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 and moments of self-refection. Let these questions shift your perspective and guide you forward…
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Please share the questions above with others who you think will benefit from them. And as always, please share your thoughts with Marc and me in the comments section below. If you’re up to it, we would love to read your response to the very first question: In one sentence, who are you?
(Also note that many of these photo-illustrated questions were initially created for our sister site, Thought Questions, but since we rarely update that site anymore we decided to share the questions with you here. And finally, many of these questions have also been re-published in the guided journal, “The Good Morning Journal”.)
For photo credits please refer to ThoughtQuestions.com
Crystal says
Absolutely love this idea for an article. Love all the inspiring questions and the challenge to think without being in a “box.”
Here’s my answer to your first question:
I am all that our creator created me to be.
Weak in moments of failure yet stronger and courageous afterwards.
I am the total sum of all my mistakes that equals a wonderful discovery that I can overcome and rise above anything with God as my compass.
I am forgiven, redeemed and set free from strongholds that held me captive.
I am created on purpose with purpose for purpose.
I am a blessing (and so are you).
Ellen Wagner says
I love your response.
And I am a caring, loving, sensitive person.
Tisha Kashyap says
Your answer is really positive and beautiful to me.
Barbara Kelly says
I’m 74 years old and still learning and evolving in life, every single day if I allow myself to.
Thanks for these questions.
Tina Connell says
Question #1:
“In one sentence, who am I?”
Answer – I am a human in a period of growth and transformation who somehow manages to fully embody both great ignorance AND great insight.
Marie Larkin says
I love what you have written here. So few words that express so much feels incredibly empowering. Thank you.
Annabella Mcmillan says
That’s Me too.
Tokovia says
Who am I?
I am complex enchanted simplicity.
A loner who adores people.
I’m quiet courage.
I am strength.
Heather says
I love this ! so simple but so appropriate
Kathy says
I’m a retired wife, mother and grandmother trying to make positive memories and progress for the rest of my life.
Maxie says
I love your answer.
Kingsley says
Who am I?
I am the culmination of all my decisions from the start of my life until right now that I write this.
I am neither good nor bad entirely.
I am a work in progress.
Rebe J. says
Who am I?
A strong adult woman, an emotional, sensitive woman, a grateful woman with a big heart, a woman who misses her late husband every single day.
Janita says
This is a beautiful, thought provoking read. Some answers surprised me, some made me laugh, and some just questions just had no answers. Thank you for invoking some special moments.
My answer to your first question “Who are you?” … I am simply the best version of myself, as interpreted from my experiences to date.
This is something I check in every time a new experience pops into my life that requires evaluation, or simply an adjustment to the version that is experiencing it.
Thank you for allowing me to comment.
Don Owen says
I really-really liked the questions! As a former history teacher and coach they were quite thought provoking!
Very good for self reflection! Thank you!
Number 1: I am a man on my own unique mission of kindness and reinvention in the second half of his life.
Walda Sylvester says
I am happiness. And happiness is not in acquiring more material things but in discovering caring ideas, that not only light our path but also enable others to walk in a more loving way, too.
Jill Shuker says
Just great questions, thank you.
Pauline Hegarty says
Love this so much!
I’m a kind caring person who tries hard to deal with life, learning through my mistakes but putting one foot forward everyday, and so thankful to god for my health everyday.
Thank you for this it’s really made me think.
Kelly says
Love and my kids was my answer to nearly every question
David Cleroux says
Hi Marc and Angel. Thank you for your continued guidance and encouragement. It’s wonderful to be able to “self evaluate” from time to time. It’s like looking into a mirror and saying, how do I look today on the inside, how am I progressing in this life. You are remarkable people and I’m very grateful to have the privilege of learning from you.
Who am I? I’m a simple child of God.
Richard Kina says
VERY interesting questions, which bears some serious answers.
Q-1: I am a child of God, ever growing and always needs to evaluate who I am.
Joan Silvia Fantozzi says
I didn’t realize I needed these questions for answers I don’t have at the ready, at least for most of them. I’ve written 25 of them down in a journal I keep separately from the one I purchased from you. I’ll turn to them often now to consider how my life looks for me. Seems I’ve been doing a lot of introspecting of late. Perhaps it’s the age; I’m 65 and I have time to think, reflect and take stock. Thank you for helping me to find insights I didn’t realize I needed. You guys are wonderful and I appreciate the things you share.
Betty says
I must admit this article sent me to my dictionary [Webster’s II New Riverside University Dictionary, 1984] as your “who” question reminded me of elementary school’s teaching about “adverb” that answers queries of “who, what, where, why, to what degree” (word meaning divisions). If I counted correctly your questions included 4 “who”; 5 fill-ins; remainder “what”!
I looked up each word division and found that the idea of “what” can be included in the answer to all of the adverb queries, except “what” itself. “What” means “which particular thing, referring to kind, character or designation. ” I say all of the above bc I don’t think many people realize this.
To me, “degree” is most interesting as it is a very human question defining “extent, magnitude, measure, proportion.
In any event, just wanted to include how important finding out specific definitions can be. I never realized how much meaning is in the little word “who”. Informative article — loved the pictures, too!
Shiv says
Im finding myself
I forgive those who hurt me and let me go
Today is a blessing
I m grateful to my family to uncle Dinesh ,Samorah,Uncle Ravin to mother nature who never lets me own who taught me patience and perserverence
To be more appreciative and less expecting life is too short for drama .
I am enough we are all human its ok to be not knowing everything