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.
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.
Sally says
I like this. A work in progress. Most people are neither totally good nor bad, but we need reminding!
Thank you.
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
Hi Mark and Angel. You’ve presented some great questions… very thought provoking of course. Faith in the word of God is my guide to those answers. I wish I could have written down for you.
As to the one sentence answer to the question “Who are you.” My answer is… I am a special being, created in the image of God and sent to learn from all of life’s wonderful experiences in preparation for a new Heavenly life of love.
… and it is interesting and meaningful meeting up with you people along the way. ? Hugs.
Steve Tuttle says
I am a man that has made peace without having to be anything else.
Fun list of question, thank you for sharing.
Richard Kina says
You have the perfect answer, keep asking better questions. The “one size” fits all does not apply. Things change as so should you.
As for the last 15 minutes of my life, why should that bother you if you are constantly upgrading yourself as you move along?
Carrie Harris says
I am Source having a human experience.