Asking the right questions is the answer.
In a recent email newsletter I wrote, “Calm your mind today. Don’t think outside the box; think like there is no box.”
And to my surprise, 77 people quoted that line and responded with the same general question: “How?”
I’ve spent some time 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.
T.Gravs says
Thank You… this is a beautiful way to start my day.
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.
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.
Tokovia says
Who am I?
I am complex enchanted simplicity.
A loner who adores people.
I’m quiet courage.
I am strength.
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.
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.
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.
Liz says
When I asked myself, “who am I?”, my immediate answer surprised me. “I am bold and daring, willing to learn and take chances”. My response surprised me because I am 71 yrs old, retired, and live a pretty steady life. Where did my answer come from? I believe it IS me, and that I haven’t given myself the credit or opportunity to be “who I am”. Throughout my life I have been bold and daring and willing to learn and take chances. Now is the time to discover “me” again.
Thank you for your reflections and sharing.
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.
David says
I’m a child of the king, perfectly loved and cared for by the creator… A messenger of God’s love to mankind… A warrior for the faith. A fellow soldier in the Lord’s army. Hugs.
Cheryl says
I am an imperfect mother, grandmother, sister, friend, senior citizen, and Christian who loves people, and is on a journey being transformed to make my way back to spend eternity with God by the grace of Jesus Christ. ???
Mean hater says
Who am I?
I am someone who is trying to be less lazy and more intelligent
What i appreciate about my current situation?
The fact that I don’t have school work to do
What’s something I take for granted every day?
God’s mercies
Something nobody can ever steal from me?
My money
Megan says
Who am I? I am energy soaring through this human form that holds the source of all that is. I am awareness and the observer .Every day is an opportunity for growth and evolution into the best version of myself. I am grateful, kind, love and light! Walking through shadows to find more light each day. This is a beautiful life in my mind. I lived for 40 years with crippling anxiety and I am healed by the power of my mind and the source of love that dwells inside me. Not a day goes by that I do not give thanks to the creator and our universe!
Ray Gebauer says
About a year ago, I decided this is my identity statement. I am a lover of God and others.
I define love in 4 distinctions / dimensions
Caring
Connecting
Committing (for a win-win)
Creating value
These four C’s correspond to the four elements in what’s stated in the Bible as the greatest commandment which is to love with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength.
Meenakshi agarwal says
I am a person who is trying to learn from her mistakes.
Amy says
I am a beautiful chaos.
Rebecca L Norrington says
Who Am I?
I am Conscious Awareness, aka pure Presence, having a human experience.
Rebecca L Norrington says
Happiness is a practiced skill. ~rln