That's a Great Question!
All compelling movies and novels have an underlying question that the writer wants you to ponder. I’m a huge Love on the Spectrum fan. The question to consider for that series is likely, “Is there really someone for everyone?” or “What does pure love look like?” When we watch Ted Lasso, we might wonder how we can have optimism in the face of adversity. Finally, “How can the cycle of abuse be broken?” might be the question the novel, It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover asks.
I recently saw a journal prompt that asked, “What’s a question that changed your life?” Without a doubt, the question that changed my life was, and continues to be, “Who do you want to be?” No one asked me the question. It came to me (from where I don’t know) the night before I quit drinking.
I was unhappy with the way I was spending my time and how I was allowing alcohol to control my moods. I didn’t want to live in a fog anymore, dulling emotions I thought were too painful to experience. I didn’t want to go to work tired and foggy. I didn’t want to waste my evenings engaged in only one activity - drinking wine. I didn’t want to avoid confronting issues that were getting in the way of my relationships and peace of mind.
I wanted to feel free of needing a chemical to make me feel confident. I wanted to have a clear head when I was teaching. I wanted to dream about things I had been afraid to try in the past for fear of failing, like writing a novel, which is currently in process.
The question, “Who do you want to be?” allowed me to steer my life in the direction I wanted it to go. It allowed me to be intentional about the daily choices that make my life one I’m proud of. It continues to do that.
I encourage you to spend some time thinking about a question that set you off on a new path. It’s possible you already made a change by answering your question but it may be worth reflecting on it again. Revisiting may reinspire you or get you back on track if you’ve veered off course. Or maybe the answer to your question is different now than when you first answered it. That’s okay too. We’re meant to grow and change.
Perhaps there hasn’t been a question that’s come up for you yet. Here are ten that might get you started if you feel your life is in need of some adjusting or reflecting.
What do I value?
Am I living in alignment with my values?
What would I like to learn more about?
How do I want my life to look ten years from now?
Is there something I’ve been avoiding?
Who are the people in my life that always tell me the truth?
Am I inspiring anyone?
Is there a truth I’ve been hiding that needs to be told?
Am I having enough fun?
My favorite - If I was the main character in a novel, what would the reader be yelling at me to do?
Share your reflections in the comments if you’re feeling brave. You just might manifest something powerful.
Resources
A Bit Much by Lyndsay Rush is a hilarious book of poetry “for people who didn’t even know they liked poetry.” She reflects on womanhood with wit, sarcasm and wisdom. I loved it!
Story Corp's list of great questions to ask anyone
And a gift for you
Enjoy two free downloads. One is phone wallpaper, the other an 8x10 poster. They’re great reminders to keep asking questions. After all, it may provide you “an answer that will give rise to a new question... and the next answer will give rise to the next question and so on. But, in the end, isn't it always the same question? And always the same answer?” (a quote from the 2010 movie, Run Lola Run.)
