As part of “My 101 Things to do in 1001 Days” Challenge, I added the task to answer “50 questions which will free your mind.” After several months, I have finally reached the end of these questions. Today’s post will conclude this series. These questions really make me stop to think. I encourage you to answer these questions.
You may remember that I started answering these questions a several months ago. I am answering five questions a month. I answered the first five on June 10, 2016, and the next five questions on July 8, 2016. On August 5, 2016, I answered questions 11-15. On September 2, 2016, I answered 16-20. Last month, on October 7, 2016, I answered 21-25. On November 3, 2016, I answered questions 26-30. I answered questions 31-35 on December 2, 2016. On January 5, 2017, I answered questions 36-40. On February 3, 2017, I answered questions 41-45.
Here are my answers to the final five questions.
- How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?
- Which is worse, failing or never trying?
- If life is so short, why do we do so many things we don’t like and like so many things we don’t do?
- When it’s all said and done, will you have said more than you’ve done?
- What is the one thing you’d most like to change about the world?
- If happiness was the national currency, what kind of work would make you rich?
- Are you doing what you believe in, or are you settling for what you are doing?
- If the average human life span was 40 years, how would you live your life differently?
- To what degree have you actually controlled the course your life has taken?
- Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things?
- You’re having lunch with three people you respect and admire. They all start criticizing a close friend of yours, not knowing she is your friend. The criticism is distasteful and unjustified. What do you do?
- If you could offer a newborn child only one piece of advice, what would it be?
- Would you break the law to save a loved one?
- Have you ever seen insanity where you later saw creativity?
- What’s something you know you do differently than most people?
- How come the things that make you happy don’t make everyone happy?
- What one thing have you not done that you really want to do? What’s holding you back?
- Are you holding onto something you need to let go of?
- If you had to move to a state or country besides the one you currently live in, where would you move and why?
- Do you push the elevator button more than once? Do you really believe it makes the elevator faster?
- Would you rather be a worried genius or a joyful simpleton?
- Why are you, you?
- Have you been the kind of friend you want as a friend?
- Which is worse, when a good friend moves away, or losing touch with a good friend who lives right near you?
- What are you most grateful for?
- Would you rather lose all of your old memories, or never be able to make new ones?
- Is it possible to know the truth without challenging it first?
- Has your greatest fear ever come true?
- Do you remember that time 5 years ago when you were extremely upset? Does it really matter now?
- What is your happiest childhood memory? What makes it so special?
- At what time in your recent past have you felt most passionate and alive?
- If not now, then when?
- If you haven’t achieved it yet, what do you have to lose?
- Have you ever been with someone, said nothing, and walked away feeling like you just had the best conversation ever?
- Why do religions that support love cause so many wars?
- Is it possible to know, without a doubt, what is good and what is evil?
- If you just won a million dollars, would you quit your job?
- Would you rather have less work to do, or more work you actually enjoy doing?
- Do you feel like you’ve lived this day a hundred times before?
- When was the last time you marched into the dark with only the soft glow of an idea you strongly believed in?
- If you knew that everyone you know was going to die tomorrow, who would you visit today?
- Would you be willing to reduce your life expectancy by 10 years to become extremely attractive or famous?
- What is the difference between being alive and truly living?
- When is it time to stop calculating risk and rewards, and just go ahead and do what you know is right?
- If we learn from our mistakes, why are we always so afraid to make a mistake?
Because we want to be “perfect”. Even though we learn from our mistakes, sometimes making a mistake can be embarrassing or it can cost us a lot. I think the fear of being embarrassed or being called out for making a mistake often holds us back. I also think the expectation to be “perfect” holds us back. - What would you do differently if you knew nobody would judge you?
I would probably encourage my husband to quit his job as I would quit my own job, pack up just the belonging that we absolutely needed, and along with our doggies, we’d move somewhere far, far away from here. I would abandon our responsibilities and live off the grid. That sounds amazing, right? That, or I’d become a stripper… if you’re good enough, you can make buttloads (pun intended) of money… just like Magic Mike! - When was the last time you noticed the sound of your own breathing?
I notice the sound of my own breathing every night before I fall asleep. Sometimes my mind is so wound up in the events of the day that I have a hard time falling asleep. It’s at those times that I do some deep yoga breaths and then let myself just breath normally. - What do you love? Have any of your recent actions openly expressed this love?
This question is so broad because I love so much. I love spending time with my husband and our dogs. I love writing. I love watching movies. I love just sitting outside watching the clouds float by. I love daydreaming about places I’d love to visit. I love planning new adventures. And I hope my actions truly expressed my love. - In 5 years from now, will you remember what you did yesterday? What about the day before that? Or the day before that?
I probably won’t remember a lot of things five years from now, much less what I did yesterday, or the day before that, or the day before that. There may be certain moments that I remember but I don’t think I’ll remember specific days or times, just moments. I have a bullet journal in which I could log moments, but if I lose the journal or throw it away, then the specifics will be lost. - Decisions are being made right now. The question is: Are you making them for yourself, or are you letting others make them for you?
I think I make decisions for myself, but I am thoughtful of others when I make those decisions. On certain occasions or in certain situations, I let others make the decisions for me because (a) I could care less, or (b) my decision-making skills are not up to the task.
Finally, I’m done. Have you challenged yourself to answer these questions? If so, leave a link to your answers in the comments below!
Yours Truly,
Vanessa