The Power of Our Questions

Life is an unanswered question, but let’s still believe
in the dignity and importance of the question.
Tennessee Williams

 

 

We have several ways of thinking about life questions. One is to consider a large purpose for our life. “Why am I here?” “Is there something important for me to do with my life?”

The answer to that question may be elusive. If we are not able to see some specific reason for our life, we may settle on a broad concept such as to live a successful life or to live as a kind person. Then, with time, we fill in more details as our life unfolds.

Several years ago, I was inspired to a deeper contemplation of my life from a parable that I read.

The Two Wolves

An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life.
“There is this fight going on inside of me,” he says to the boy.
It is a terrible fight, and it is between two wolves.

One wolf is negative. He is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance,
self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.”

He continued, “The other wolf is positive. – he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity,
humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith.

The same fight is going on inside you – and inside every other person, too.”

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather,
“Which wolf will win?”

The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed.”

Now, as I go through my day, I notice what wolf I am feeding. I might feed the positive wolf at 9 am and realize that I am feeding the negative wolf later in the day, in the midst of all the challenges confronting me in that moment.

It’s complicated. Some emotions and behaviors have become habitual. We react negatively to certain triggers, and we experience the same results every time. When that happens, we are unable to connect with others in a more positive way.

The wolf story invites us to make a conscious decision: which part of our nature do we want to dominate as we go through our lives. Most people would choose peace, love and joy.

That choice is easier to make than to express consistently in our daily lives. This brings us to the questions that we ask ourselves daily.

The Importance of Daily Questions

We want to spend more time in the energy that supports our choice than the time that we spend having thoughts, words and actions that undermine that choice.

Perhaps the most powerful tool that we have to support our becoming more of who we want to be is questions that we ask ourselves every day. They will change from day-to-day, based on what is happening in our lives at that time.

Perhaps I am having difficulty in a relationship. The question for today might be, “How can I see my father in a different way today so that I will be kinder to him?” or “How can I connect in a supportive way with my father today?”

Perhaps I lose my temper with a family member who “pushes my buttons” with his thoughtless remarks. My question might be, “How can I stay at peace and allow my brother to be who he is without taking it personally?”

Perhaps I have begun to lose faith in my life path. I could ask myself, “Who can I talk with today or what can I read to get back to believing in myself?”

Every situation requires its own questions. With experience, we get better at asking helpful questions and listening, as we go through the day, for an answer to come to us. Answers often arise intuitively or from an idea that shows up in something that we read or hear.

I am often amazed at the synchronicities in my life, as information comes to me just when I need it. Over time, I have become better at noticing answers that appear in unexpected ways.

This whole process takes practice. It also empowers us. It offers us a way to have more control daily over the issues that are troubling us. They will change from day-to-day, based on what is happening in our lives at that time.

Remember to ask the most important question early every day. Then, be aware as you go through your day. Notice what shows up in front of you that may hold the answer you are asking for.

The Other Side of the Coin

Sometimes you need to question your answers
Alan Cohen

Most of us live with assumptions about our lives and about life in general. Those assumptions have solidified into beliefs that guide our daily choices and our judgments. Often, they are based on limited information, and they color our interactions with other people as well as how we view our own life.

I invite you to look at any beliefs that are guiding your life. If they are empowering, of course, keep them. If they are disempowering, making you feel less worthy of what you want for your life, or making you see other people in critical ways, I invite you to choose a different belief that supports you in living the life that you decided to live.

Some beliefs may make it more difficult for you to move beyond a challenge that you have in your life. What if you chose to let go of that belief? What if you chose a more empowering belief that enabled you to move through the challenge with confidence and grace? Would you be open to adopting that belief?

Question: “What belief is not serving me?” “What belief would empower me to become more of who I want to be?”

It may be helpful to find a friend who supports the changes you want to make or a group of people who support you and can offer their wisdom and encouragement. For many of us, this is a time to call on a higher power in our lives for guidance, then to listen as we go through our day.

With or without the help of other people, we truly are more powerful than we think we are. Question, “What can I do today to connect with the power within me?”

Now, be aware as you go through your day, and notice the wisdom that shows up for you.

We wish you peace, love and joy on your journey

    Image by Rain Carnation from Pixabay

What are your thoughts? Do these ideas speak to you? Please leave a comment below. Thank you.

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We’re grateful that you are on this journey with us.

With love from our hearts to yours,
Pat and Larry