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.
Tokovia says
Who am I?
I am complex enchanted simplicity.
A loner who adores people.
I’m quiet courage.
I am strength.
Saleemah says
Tokovia,
I really like when you said “I’m a loner who adores people”. Because, I myself am a loner and I too absolutely adore people. That really touched my heart. Thank you.
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.
Tina Rocchetti says
Steve Tuttle…you’re my hero! I absolutely respect that answer and love it. Now I ask, how did you achieve that? I want that peace!!
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.
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.
Going to share.
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.
David says
Figuratively speaking; I’m a useful vessel in the hands of my creator. He’s given me life and light and although I’m a marred vessel in His hands, I’m very happy to have the God of love rule in my life. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Errol Hall says
67 yr old x marine saying
I am a child of God our Creator praying that the world will truly understand if we would treat everyone the way WE ourselves want to be treated, this would be a much better planet.
The old ” Golden Rule”
Thanks for articles
Blessings to u
Errol
Marc Higgins says
It’s a great list of questions to reflect on. I have added a few more that you might add to the list.
41. If I looked back on this moment five years from now, how significant would it be?
42. What is one thing within my direct control in the next 10 minutes?
43. What assumption am I making right now that might not actually be true?
45. What feels heavy right now, and is it actually mine to carry?
46. What is standard, unglamorous, and working completely fine in my life today?
47. If I were giving advice to a good friend in my exact situation, what would I tell them?
1. In one sentence, who are you?
2. In one word, what do you live for?
3. What is worth the pain?
4. What will you never give up on?
5. What do you always try to avoid?
6. What’s something you take for granted everyday?
7. What do you need most right now?
8. What’s the best advice you have ever given yourself?
9. Happiness is a _______?
10. What would you immediately do differently if you knew no one would judge you?
11. What kind of people does the world need more of?
12. What does beautiful look like in the dark?
13. What is the most beautiful thing you’ve seen today?
14. What’s one problem you’re thankful you don’t have?
15. What’s something nobody could ever steal from you?
16. Who would you like to forgive right now?
17. What is the most valuable life lesson you have learned from a mistake?
18. Happiness is not _______?
19. Love is not _______?
20. Who are you grateful for?
21. What is something you wish for everyone you love?
22. What impact do you want to leave on the people you love?
23. What’s something simple that makes you smile?
24. Life is too short to tolerate _______?
25. What’s something negative you think about too often?
26. What’s something positive you try to keep in mind when negativity surrounds you?
27. What’s something you’ve grown to appreciate as you’ve grown older?
28. What’s something that used to scare you, but no longer does?
29. My life would be a lot different without ______?
30. What gives you hope?
31. What do you have total confidence in?
32. What chance are you given every single day?
33. What do you want to remember forever?
34. What do you appreciate most about your current situation?
35. What do you always look forward to?
36. What the world needs now is _______?
37. What recently reminded you of how fast time flies?
38. If you were going to die at midnight, what would you be doing at 11:45 p.m.?
39. What’s something everyone should be able to say before they die?
40. What’s something that doesn’t have an ending?
Shea says
I learned some interesting things about myself by trying to answer these questions. The first being that I have no answer for the first question. I could answer a mother, grandmother, and wife but that is what I am, not who I am. It seems as though I need to do some self reflecting and self discovery.
Miriam Persangi says
Who Am I?
I am a blessed, humbled, Chosen child of God living her life according to his purpose. I am compassionate, kind, strong and a grateful Soul who prays deeply for who is suffering. Have a Peaceful day.
Miriam P