Asking the right questions is often the answer.
In a recent email newsletter I wrote, “Calm your mind today. Don’t just think outside the box; think like there is no box.”
And to my surprise, 97 people quoted that line and responded with the same general question: “How?”
I’ve spent the morning thinking about how to answer their collective question in the most universal way possible, and I’ve decided that the simplest explanation I can give is this: Ask yourself better questions — questions that focus your thoughts and filter out the excess noise that’s been cluttering your mind.
The calming and healing power of a positive imagination is unleashed by constraining your focus. Constraints drive creativity and force mindful thinking. It may sound counterintuitive at first but, in a backwards way, you break out of the box by stepping into the right shackles.
And that’s exactly what the questions below can help you with — shackling the noise in your head by channeling your focus into meaningful thoughts and moments of self-refection. Let these questions shift your perspective and guide you gracefully forward…
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Please share the questions above with others who you think will benefit from them. And as always, please share your thoughts with Marc and me in the comments section below. If you’re up to it, we would love to read your response to the very first question: In one sentence, who are you?
(Also note that many of these photo-illustrated questions were initially created for our sister site, Thought Questions, but since we rarely update that site anymore we decided to share the questions with you here. Finally, many of these questions have also been published in the guided journal, “The Good Morning Journal”, which was published by Penguin last year.)
For photo credits please refer to ThoughtQuestions.com
Crystal says
Absolutely love this article. Love all the inspiring questions and the challenge to think without a “box.”
Here’s my answer to your first question:
I am all that God created me to be.
Weak in moments of failure yet stronger and courageous afterwards.
I am the total sum of all my mistakes that equals a wonderful discovery that I can overcome and rise above anything with God as my compass.
I am forgiven, redeemed and set free from strongholds that held me captive.
I am created on purpose with purpose for purpose.
I am a blessing (and so are you).
Gj says
I didn’t really know.
Kingsley Arah says
Who am I?
I am the culmination of all my decisions from the start of my life until right now that I write this.
I am neither good nor bad entirely.
I am a work in progress.
Bryce says
What an awesome idea for an article! Asking ourselves thought-provoking questions like these can be very powerful.
#28 reminded me that I’m no longer afraid of failing to live up to other people’s expectations for me. It took me a long time to realize that most of my unhappiness and came from the fear or letting other people down. Life certainly becomes a lot easier and more enjoyable when you become indifferent to what other people think of you.
Oh, and I saw that note at the bottom of the post about your new Good Morning Journal. I’m going to get myself a copy of that for sure. Looking forward to using it for morning reflection in the weeks ahead.
Don Owens says
I really-really liked the questions! As a former history teacher and coach they were quite thought provoking!
Very good for self reflection! Thank you!
#1 I am a man on my own unique mission!
Tokovia says
Who am I?
I am complex enchanted simplicity.
A loner who adores people.
I’m quiet courage.
I am strength.
Michelle McCreary says
I think this may be the best blog post I have read recently! It’s different in a good way. Thank you for writing this and sharing it. Every question is thought provoking and commands attention to not only things that need improvement, but also things that give us joy and remind us of why we face each day and fight the good fight. You have a new fan in me and I look forward to reading new content going forward.
Thank you!
Gracie says
To answer your question: I am a life-long work in progress!
And thank you for these inspiring questions.
Eva M. says
I am human. A woman. A daughter, sister, lover and mother of a dog named Jake.
Was it supposed to be one word? Definitely not succinct.
Loquacious?
I enjoyed the exercise. Thank you!
Barbara Kelly says
I’m 74 years old and still learning and evolving in life .
Kathy says
I’m a retired wife, mother and grandmother trying to make positive memories and progress for the rest of my life.
Maxie says
I love your answer.
Terie G says
I am a woman who loves God, her husband, her children, her grandchild, and helping people.
These questions were quite thought-provoking and a few were not easily answered. Honestly, I have never directly asked myself or even deeply thought about who I am, which is kinda wild when I think about it.
Terie G says
I am a woman who loves God, her husband, her children, her grandchild, and helping people. I am whole but still learning. I am little bits of progress, day by day.
And I too have never really asked myself or even thought about who I am until now. Wild!
Vincenzo Corleone says
I am a man saddled with guilt of past wrongdoings, Regrets of poor business and personal decisions. I always find my strength in believing that redemption is possible. My favorite latin maxim is “Dum spiro, spero”. While I breathe, I hope. I just want to be better, love with everything I have and receive love in return without prejudice. Thanks for this article. God bless.
Rena says
I am exactly who I was meant to be. I am a b****, I’m a lover, I’m a child, I’m a mother, I’m a sinner and a saint! Yes! Meredith Brooks said it best! I am perfectly imperfect and beautifully broken.
Thoughtful questions and article today! Thanks. I’ll be referring back to this.
Devansh says
This was a beautiful exercise. It made me realise how foolish I am to forget what’s really important. Off late I’ve been worrying about getting a job etc. when honestly I’ve got so much love in my life from family and friends: these people don’t have a price tag and they are all I truly ever need. To love be loved by those I love.
Who am I?
I am freedom in the eternity of love.
Bold Eagle says
I am resilient, determined, and strong.
All thought at times, my heart is heavy, I pushed through adversity.
I love myself.
In the end, I am.
Peace
Barbara Kalis says
As a recent widow after a happy marriage of 58 years I find myself thinking that there will be different answers to each of these question as I navigate grief and loss and pain. But they are wonderful questions to help me move forward in the life I have left. I am 80 and have many more years to enjoy or to regret. I want to enjoy! So I will ponder these questions and know that there will be different answers every day.
As to who I am? I am a woman who was loved.
Kate says
Thank you for the reminder. I am 88 and feeling alone. I needed to remember that I too was loved.
Paula says
WOW!!! Simply WOW!!!
Bon says
I just love your blog and enjoy reading it always..KUDOS.
I am a God loving person and pray a lot not just for me but for everybody. I even stop to pray when I hear the siren of an ambulance for the paramedics and the patient to make it to the hospital. I pray for anyone struggling in any way, I pray for all world leaders , all priests and nuns and everyone who are helping others to get closer to God so we all can go to heaven.
I say Thank you Jesus as soon as I wake up in the morning that I am alive for others don’t get to make it.
I am an empath, I cry when others cry even if it’s not my problem it affects me.
My friend says, The world is my playground. I try to enjoy every moment even if I have PTSD and battling many fears. I am trying to be a BETTER person each day and not bitter.
I love everyone and no one is a bad tomato although I am sensitive with hurtful or tactless words. It takes time to recover. But I am very forgiving.
I am so blessed by God I have gift of sight that I can read your work in making a difference in many lives.
Thank you and God bless you Marc and Angel.
Vicky says
Question was in 1 sentence who are you? I am God’s wonder!
Thank you for a powerful eye opening article
Rebe says
Who am I?
A strong adult woman, an emotional, sensitive woman, a grateful woman with a big heart, a woman who misses her husband every day.
Paul Murdock says
I’m 53 years old now living in 100% reality for the past five years with a miracle drug substance that gave me the best quality of life. Now, I’m an author of the the first three books series, What goes around comes around.
The Power of Positive Thinking has brought me to where I am right now! I’m enjoying life in the world of reality!
Tinker Bell says
thank you for this thoughtful lesson. I am going to borrow these and use in an exercise at our next family reunion.
Mari says
Marc and Angel;
Never a disappointment to read your articles. Always inspiring me to be: be more, be more positive, be more thoughtful, be more of everything possible.
Who am I? Wonderful question. Never thought of that question. I am a woman, a child of God, a child, a mother, a total of my own experiences, and the people who’s lives I have touched, a human on my own journey called life.
I am going to write each of the questions down and begin to answer them.
Thank you for this website and your articles. Always improving myself.
Favour says
In one word, I am sophisticated
Tina Connelly says
Question #1:
“In one sentence, who am I?”
Answer- I am a human in a period of growth and transformation who somehow manages to fully embody both great ignorance AND great insight.
#SameHotMessDifferentDay
Aleta says
My boyfriend told me to read this article/blog to slow me down and make me think, not only that, I read the entire article. I love it! I plan to pass this on to others, especially to my kids.
To answer the first question, who am I? I am complicated, intricate, yet simple. I love to laugh until it hurts, loves love, and desires peace, joy, good health, wealth and wisdom. I honestly believe wisdom is the key to it all! Thank you for making me think differently!
Glory says
This article was thought provoking, the replies underneath shook something in me.
I don’t know who I am, I couldn’t answer most of these questions with certainty, that scared me, but it also challenged me, I’ll find me, I’ll work towards becoming the version of me that can answer these questions with confidence.
Thank you for this.
Maxie says
Food for thought…thank you
My answer to #1 was “a little bit lost”
Saba says
I’m a marvelous and unique creation of Allah (God)