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, 67 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
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.
Nida Rizvi says
Hi you can ask which actor or actress u would choose who s Rascal and u want to b exact like him in your real life
Tokovia says
Who am I?
I am complex enchanted simplicity.
A loner who adores people.
I’m quiet courage.
I am strength.
Steve Tuttle says
My answer to your question: I am a man that has made peace without having to be anything else.
Fun list of questions, thank you for sharing.
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.
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.
Don Owen says
I really-really liked the questions! As a former 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.
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. I feel that.
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.
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.
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.
Annabella Mcmillan says
That’s Me too.
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.
Laurie Newton says
Beautiful questions
They are thought provoking
Letting you listen to your intuition as a guide
Helping you to be calmer and move forward on your path path.
Go8ng to share
David says
* are my comments.
“Don’t think outside the box. Think like there is no box.” *This struck me like a bolt of… revelation.
“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.” *Exactly! No limitations!
“The calming and healing power of a positive imagination is unleashed by constraining your focus. Constraints drive creativity and force mindful thinking.” *A new outlook on things.
“you break out of the box by stepping into the right shackles. — 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 it has… I’m determined, by God’s grace, to do what He has asked of me, knowing that He will accomplish His purpose in my doing so. A new day of no limits.
And to answer your question. I’m a new man in Christ and He can accomplish miracles! Thank you and hugs!!