50 Questions That Will Free Your Mind

I’ve recently built my Day Zero Project list of 101 things I want to do over the next 1001 days. Over the next 2.75 years, I’ll hopefully accomplish most of the things on the list, and for every item I don’t complete in time, I plan to donate $5 to charity. For every item I do complete, I’ll try to put $10 in my savings account. (So far, I’ll need to save $30)

One of the things on my list is to fill out the “50 Questions That Will Free Your Mind” survey. My answers are in red.

These questions have no right or wrong answers.
Because sometimes asking the right questions is the answer.

1. How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are? 27.
2. Which is worse, failing or never trying? Failing; the effort spent while trying was all for nill.
3. 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? Because we have to in order to survive (ex: work).
4. When it’s all said and done, will you have said more than you’ve done? Most likely. And I’m okay with that.
5. What is the one thing you’d most like to change about the world? Poverty.
6. If happiness was the national currency, what kind of work would make you rich? Knitting, taking pictures, and blogging.
7. Are you doing what you believe in, or are you settling for what you are doing? In what context? I would say I’m doing a mixture of both.
8. If the average human life span was 40 years, how would you live your life differently? I would do more of the things I want to do “someday”; turning the “someday” into today or tomorrow.
9. To what degree have you actually controlled the course your life has taken? Pretty significantly, especially over the past 5 years.
10. Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things? Doing things right.
11. 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? I would explain my perspective.  I would absolutely defend my friend, but with a civil, mature conversation. I would also ask why they feel that way, and really listen to what they have to say. (That doesn’t mean I have to agree with it.)
12. If you could offer a newborn child only one piece of advice, what would it be? Surround yourself with people you truly enjoy. Don’t waste you time with people who don’t treat you the way you want to be treated, no matter who they are.
13. Would you break the law to save a loved one? It would obviously depend on the situation, but I might.
14. Have you ever seen insanity where you later saw creativity? Not in antoher person, but I’ve seen it in myself.
15. What’s something you know you do differently than most people? I crunch my graham crackers up in a tall glass and pour milk over it. Then I eat the mushy mixture with a spoon.
16. How come the things that make you happy don’t make everyone happy? Because everyone’s likes and dislikes are different. That’s the beauty of life.
17. What one thing have you not done that you really want to do?  What’s holding you back? Go on a week-long real vacation. Somewhere tropical. Money is holding me back.
18. Are you holding onto something you need to let go of? My wedding rings from my teenage marriage (that didn’t last much longer than a year). I want to sell or even donate them, but Sam talks me out of it every time. He thinks I’ll want to look at them someday when I’m old and telling my grandkids my life story.
19. If you had to move to a state or country besides the one you currently live in, where would you move and why? London. I’ve always wanted to live there. I think I’d love love love it.
20. Do you push the elevator button more than once?  Do you really believe it makes the elevator faster? I only push the elevator button once, but I do push the walk sign button at crosswalks a bunch of times. I can’t tell with those because it doesn’t light up when you push it!
21. Would you rather be a worried genius or a joyful simpleton? Joyful simpleton, definitely.
22. Why are you, you? I just am. I was born this way.
23. Have you been the kind of friend you want as a friend? Absolutely.
24. Which is worse, when a good friend moves away, or losing touch with a good friend who lives right near you? When a good friend moves away.
25. What are you most grateful for? Love.
26. Would you rather lose all of your old memories, or never be able to make new ones? Wow, that’s a tough one. I think I’d choose losing the old ones in exchange for making new ones. But then I’d forget who I am. Hmmm, both of those options are terrible.
27. Is is possible to know the truth without challenging it first? Sometimes the truth is obvious without question.
28. Has your greatest fear ever come true? Yes and no. I have more than one greatest fear.
29. Do you remember that time 5 years ago when you were extremely upset?  Does it really matter now? That’s funny, because exactly 5 years ago I moved here to Oregon from Alaska where I’d spent most of my life thus far. And I was extreemly upset at that point in my life. Looking back now, I realize it wasn’t for nothing, but it doesn’t affect me anymore.
30. What is your happiest childhood memory?  What makes it so special? I have so many, I could never choose just one. My happiest involve my whole family - my parents, siblings, and grandparents.
31. At what time in your recent past have you felt most passionate and alive? The weekend Sam and I spent in Seattle with Sandi and her hubby. That was such an amazing weekend.
32. If not now, then when? I just need 5 more minutes.
33. If you haven’t achieved it yet, what do you have to lose? Everything and nothing. It depends on how you look at it.
34. Have you ever been with someone, said nothing, and walked away feeling like you just had the best conversation ever? No, I don’t think I have. That sounds amazing, though.
35. Why do religions that support love cause so many wars? Conflict of interest.
36. Is it possible to know, without a doubt, what is good and what is evil? Sometimes.
37. If you just won a million dollars, would you quit your job? Not right away, but I would. I would then take my money, buy a modest house and car, and go directly to school for something I’m passionate about. Then I would start my own business.
38. Would you rather have less work to do, or more work you actually enjoy doing? More work that I truly enjoy doing. Without question.
39. Do you feel like you’ve lived this day a hundred times before? In some ways, yes. But that’s not always a bad thing.
40. When was the last time you marched into the dark with only the soft glow of an idea you strongly believed in? May 15, 2005. The day I moved from a tiny town in Alaska to Portland, Oregon. I never looked back.
41. If you knew that everyone you know was going to die tomorrow, who would you visit today? As many people as I possibly could. Wow, that thought is absolutely devastating.
42. Would you be willing to reduce your life expectancy by 10 years to become extremely attractive or famous? That’s a tough question. My immediate answer is “yes”, but what if my life ends sooner than old age? Then I’ll die 10 years even SOONER, and that’s a terrifying thought. So no, I probably would not.
43. What is the difference between being alive and truly living? Happiness. Adventure. Fun. Love. The list goes on.
44. When is it time to stop calculating risk and rewards, and just go ahead and do what you know is right? When it feels right.
45. If we learn from our mistakes, why are we always so afraid to make a mistake? Because failure is often painful.
46. What would you do differently if you knew nobody would judge you? I wouldn’t.
47. When was the last time you noticed the sound of your own breathing? Possibly never. But I did rest my head on Sam’s chest last night and really, truly embraced the sound of his beating heart for a few minutes. It was an extremely moving experience.
48. What do you love?  Have any of your recent actions openly expressed this love? I love so many people and things, and I don’t hide it in any way. I’m an extremely open person, and I openly love without reservation.
49. In 5 years from now, will you remember what you did yesterday?  What about the day before that?  Or the day before that? No, but that’s because nothing super eventful or life changing has happened over the last 3 days.
50. 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 absolutely make them for myself.

Feelings, Emotions, Life In General 50 questions that will free your mind