Quotes and Wisdom
from the Top of the Mind™
from the Top of the Mind™
Answers
"The simplest questions are often the most profound - Who are you? Where are you going? What are you doing? Ask yourself these often and watch the answers change."
This quote from Richard Bach's book, Illusions, has always been a favorite of mine because of its ability to remind us of the importance of questions. In other words, in a world often obsessed with answers, I wonder if we have forgotten that the vehicles which produce these answers are questions, and unless these vehicles are constructed of quality parts, the potential exists for us to find ourselves broken down on the road of life. Unfortunately, given the fact that many of us have not been choosing our questions/vehicles on purpose, we may find that now is the time to trade up.
For example, the first question "Who are you?" for me says that we should be defining ourselves on purpose, and further that this purposeful self-definition should inform every aspect of our lives. In other words, to the degree that we choose the qualities or characteristics that we want to use to define who we are in all of our roles, interactions, and behaviors, the more influence we have in our experience of life, and even in the lives of others. In fact, beginning with an answer to this most important question (I am a person who is, or a friend who is . . ., or a spouse, parent, employer, employee who is . . . etc.) might be just what is called for in choosing the most successful way to go about engaging life in the most successful way.
The second question asks "Where are you going?" I like this because it helps us make choices about our future based upon our goals, or where we want to go versus just what needs to be done. In other words, rather than finding ourselves trudging down some well-worn path wondering how we got here and where it is leading us ("the only difference between a rut and a grave is the length and depth of the hole") instead, we can be asking ourselves the "Where am I going?" question. This can then help us make a conscious choice about whether we are indeed moving toward something that is meaningful, or just marching around in circles digging a deeper and deeper rut.
The third question is a wonderful vehicle for ensuring that we are being purposeful about the only time there is...now! The "what am I doing?" question allows us to take stock of our present moment behavior, thoughts, and emotions, and see if they are indeed congruent with our sense of who we are and where we are going. If they are, then great, we just keep on keeping on. If not, meaning if we discover that "what we are doing" is incongruent with the qualities and characteristics we have decided we want to practice and/or our goals for the future, then we can use this as good information to change.
Bottom line, let's make sure that the foundation for who we are and who we are becoming is of a quality that is representative of the life we want. Or, put another way, if indeed we find ourselves driving Yugos, let's stop and immediately trade up to the Rolls Royce of vehicles, which means begin asking more purposeful questions. As our answers change, so will our lives.
For example, the first question "Who are you?" for me says that we should be defining ourselves on purpose, and further that this purposeful self-definition should inform every aspect of our lives. In other words, to the degree that we choose the qualities or characteristics that we want to use to define who we are in all of our roles, interactions, and behaviors, the more influence we have in our experience of life, and even in the lives of others. In fact, beginning with an answer to this most important question (I am a person who is, or a friend who is . . ., or a spouse, parent, employer, employee who is . . . etc.) might be just what is called for in choosing the most successful way to go about engaging life in the most successful way.
The second question asks "Where are you going?" I like this because it helps us make choices about our future based upon our goals, or where we want to go versus just what needs to be done. In other words, rather than finding ourselves trudging down some well-worn path wondering how we got here and where it is leading us ("the only difference between a rut and a grave is the length and depth of the hole") instead, we can be asking ourselves the "Where am I going?" question. This can then help us make a conscious choice about whether we are indeed moving toward something that is meaningful, or just marching around in circles digging a deeper and deeper rut.
The third question is a wonderful vehicle for ensuring that we are being purposeful about the only time there is...now! The "what am I doing?" question allows us to take stock of our present moment behavior, thoughts, and emotions, and see if they are indeed congruent with our sense of who we are and where we are going. If they are, then great, we just keep on keeping on. If not, meaning if we discover that "what we are doing" is incongruent with the qualities and characteristics we have decided we want to practice and/or our goals for the future, then we can use this as good information to change.
Bottom line, let's make sure that the foundation for who we are and who we are becoming is of a quality that is representative of the life we want. Or, put another way, if indeed we find ourselves driving Yugos, let's stop and immediately trade up to the Rolls Royce of vehicles, which means begin asking more purposeful questions. As our answers change, so will our lives.
Take care and God bless, Dr. Bill