Finding the Questions
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My friend asked me: How did you find the questions you are most curious about, that you are asking constantly, that you are investigating with your life? How would you help someone else to find their own questions, their own curiosity? What does the activity of considering that bring up for you? And I answered: How I found the questions feels like a fish in water scenario. There's probably things from childhood that generated my fascination with other-connection, self-connection, creativity, women, embodiment, emotions, games... I have no answer beyond "God called for a soul to have this particular collection of curiosities at this time and he just so happens to be me." I would encourage someone who wants to find their own questions to: 1) Notice what occupies your attention in your life right now. 2) Do not discount what you notice: "XYZ isn't a real curiosity." Why not? If you reject what you notice then investigate your rejection. 3) Consider what would be the next and smallest step on the path to following the curiosity, and then do it: read one article, send one email, ask one question. Writing out the above has me challenging my own story about how this isn't useful information: "Doesn't everyone already know this? Doesn't everyone already do this or purposely choose not to?" Maybe they don't. I also notice areas where I do not do step 3. A good reflection exercise :^) What are you most curious about right now? |
@strangestloop
Asking is a skill which also makes it a game. It's a cooperative game between the asker and the askee and I'm going to describe a few examples I was in close proximity to recently in order to see what this game involves: The group asked for the delicious off-menu dessert and they got it. They had an advantage in that there was only upside. Since they weren't attached to getting the dessert, their circumstances would either stay as they were or they would get better. So an acceptance of any...
I have no words on this newsletter day, instead there's a pleasant combination of body relaxation and mental emptiness. As a frequent thinker this quiet in my head feels wonderful. I have been practicing boredom and gratitude and being with things as they are rather than wishing they were different. When negativity arrives I get to be with it, and then when I arrive at emotional neutrality I can overcome the negativity, which feels increasingly important to me. The obstacles are the point....
As I move towards the life I want, which at different moments feels like sprinting in an open field on a cool and breezy day, or arranging books on shelves one after another after another, or sighing at the sight of a tall brick wall (which might simply topple over the moment I dare to press against it), I am fascinated by the power of directing my attention. By choosing where to focus I can put myself in a state of confidence or despair or excitement. There's that saying about how you can't...