Monday, July 13, 2015

50 Questions to Free the Mind

I'm sure many of you have wondered why I've posted so frequently this week. Truth is, one of my 101 things in 1001 Days was to post 7 days in a row. This is day 7, so .

Another thing on my 101 Things in 1001 Days list, is a link to answer the 50 Questions to Free the Mind. I finally finished these questions and decided to share them. There are quite a few of them, 50 to be exact, heh, so it's a bit wordy. Don't say I didn't warn you! But here they are. Kudos to anyone who actually takes the time to read any of these!
1. How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are? I would likely be a LOT older than 23. I’m going to pick a random number and say 48. I have an old soul. I feel a lot older than I am and I find it much easier to talk to people that are older than myself. Perhaps it is the fact that I was homeschooled and most of my contacts were the elderly women in my mom’s Sunday school class. Regardless, I feel much more comfortable with people who are older and wiser than myself. I also feel a strong attachment to old books, old movies, and old music. I can be found listening to Frank Sinatra while reading Jane Austen and drinking a cup of coffee. And then heading to bed at 9pm. How many normal 23 year olds have days like this?
2. Which is worse, failing or never trying? I feel like the “correct” answer to this question is never trying, but I have to admit- failure sucks. Big time. But you know what? Success is really amazing. So, yes. Failure sucks. But if you fail, at least you did try. Never trying doesn’t even offer the possibility of success. So by all means, try, little duck! TRY!
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? I think one of the cruelest parts of life is the fact that when you are mature enough to pursue your passions, life throws responsibilities at you. We spend a heck of a lot of time pursuing things that are just expected of us, more than things that we want to do. That’s why I think it’s really important to discover your hobbies and make time for them.
But sometimes things really are only good in small doses. Sometimes, I think the reason things are so wonderful to us is simply because they are rare.
4. When it’s all said and done, will you have said more than you’ve done? Honestly, yes, I think I will have said more than I have done. Talk is cheap. 
5. What is the one thing you’d most like to change about the world?I wish the world was a more loving place. Life is short and it passes so quickly. Why do we waste so much time being angry?
I wish fear didn’t have to exist. 
I wish society was more accepting of cat people. I mean, dogs are cool too…but what’s with all the hate towards felines?
6. If happiness was the national currency, what kind of work would make you richHugs. Okay, that’s lame. But seriously, my absolute favorite part of my job is when people tell me that my kindness made their visit to the doctor better. I’m definitely not passionate about being an x-ray tech (at all…like seriously…at ALL), but I LOVE being nice to people.
In a perfect world, I could have a job helping people and I’d be outside in the environment and then have time off to write about my experiences on my *extremely* popular blog. And I’d take so many epic photos to share. 
7. Are you doing what you believe in, or are you settling for what you are doing?Oh no…I don’t like this question. I’m definitely settling for what I’m doing at this point. But why is it so hard to determine what you love or what you want out of life? I’m not at the point where I know “what I want to do”. For now I’m pretty content with settling during my work week and devoting my 7 days off to the things I actually love and enjoy.



8. If the average human life span was 40 years, how would you live your life differently?I’d stop making excuses for why I do and don’t do things. I would spend more quality time with people I love and I’d make going places and having new experiences a priority. It’s sad because I should be doing all of this already. :/
9. To what degree have you actually controlled the course your life has taken?I feel like my life has been out of my control many times. I’m not doing what I always pictured myself doing and certainly not in a place I always expected to be. But unexpected things happen, like sick parents, financial issues, missed opportunities, etc…you just learn to play with the cards you’ve got. I’m not giving up hope for the future though!
10. Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things? Definitely doing the right things. I stress about this waaay more than I should. I overthink decisions, even the menial ones. When I feel like I did the wrong thing, I will beat myself up over it for a long time.
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? This question stresses me out (look at question 10.) I would most likely remain quiet while they dissed her. While I wouldn’t do the RIGHT thing, by defending her, I wouldn’t join either. 
12. If you could offer a newborn child only one piece of advice, what would it be? As cliche and overused as it is, I’d say “Please, please just be yourself.” I’ve heard this a tremendous amount of times, yet it has taken me 23 years to fully appreciate it. I think you have to go through many failed attempts at pleasing others to really grasp it, but we aren’t here to please everyone else!
13. Would you break the law to save a loved one? Yes, absolutely.
14. Have you ever seen insanity where you later saw creativity? I don’t think I have personally seen insanity and creativity in the same subject.
15. What’s something you know you do differently than most people? I hold writing utensils differently than most people. I sleep with multiple fans and few blankets; I cannot sleep unless I am cold. 
16. How come the things that make you happy don’t make everyone happy? Because everyone else is dumb. Just kidding. Because we are all different and if we were the all the same, well, what would be the point of anything?
17. What one thing have you not done that you really want to do? What’s holding you back? Further my education. I’m not really sure what I would want to pursue. Also traveling more…finances definitely play a part in being held back there. Actually, finances play a part in both of those.
18. Are you holding onto something you need to let go of? Yes.
19. If you had to move to a state or country besides the one you currently live in, where would you move and why? North Carolina. Because it is a beautiful place.
20. Do you push the elevator button more than once?  Do you really believe it makes the elevator faster? I do push the button more than once, but I don’t think it makes a difference. I think it’s just a nervous habit, because let's face it. Elevators are scary. 
21. Would you rather be a worried genius or a joyful simpleton? I’m already a joyful simpleton, so let’s give the worried genius a try! 
But really, out of the two, I think I’d rather be a joyful simpleton. 
22. Why are you, you? Because of the things I have experienced and the people I was with. Who you spend time with is who you become.
23. Have you been the kind of friend you want as a friend? Definitely not always. It’s a good mindset: “Treat others the way you want to be treated.” I tend to do what’s convenient for me and a lot of times base my friendships on how they actually treat me, rather than how I want to be treated. But I’m going to try to do better.
24. Which is worse, when a good friend moves away, or losing touch with a good friend who lives right near you? Losing touch with a good friend that lives near you. The awkwardness of running into them at places all the time is no good.
25. What are you most grateful for? My family.
26. Would you rather lose all of your old memories, or never be able to make new ones? Losing all of my old memories would be very painful but there are so many things I have yet to do, so I suppose I would rather lose all of my old memories. 
27. Is is possible to know the truth without challenging it first? I feel like it is possible, but rarely achieved. 
28. Has your greatest fear ever come true? No. 
29. Do you remember that time 5 years ago when you were extremely upset?  Does it really matter now? Haha, no. In fact, very little about my life in 2010 is relevant in my life today.
30. What is your happiest childhood memory?  What makes it so special? My very favorite memories are from when my family went on camping trips together. I loved being outside, cooking and eating our meals outside, and just spending time together. As a kid, you have no worries. I miss that feeling of freedom.
31. At what time in your recent past have you felt most passionate and alive? Probably at a concert when I am completely immersed in the music. The beach is the place where I feel the most alive, but unfortunately I haven't been there in almost a year.
32. If not now, then when? Next week.

33. If you haven’t achieved it yet, what do you have to lose? I’m not sure. I, wrongly, worry about failure. I try to grow a little every day and I think I get a little closer to becoming who I want to be by doing that. 
34. Have you ever been with someone, said nothing, and walked away feeling like you just had the best conversation ever? I haven’t…is that sad?
35. Why do religions that support love cause so many wars? Because most religions don’t act in love. Christianity for one is founded on the actions of Jesus Christ but many Christians don’t act as Jesus did. I am a Christian and I make many, many mistakes. But as a Christian, our main goal is to shadow Christ. Many people get that wrong-Jesus didn’t walk around condemning sinners to hell. He spent time with sinners and LOVED them. Many of today’s Christians act as the self righteous Pharisees…and they were the ones Jesus actually had a problem with. 
36. Is it possible to know, without a doubt, what is good and what is evil? This is a tricky question. I think we are born with a sense of knowing when certain things are wrong. But at the same time, what is innate and what is learned? But for the most part, I think our feelings and conscious guide us. Is that to say we can ALWAYS identify evil? Not exactly.
37. If you just won a million dollars, would you quit your job? Yes…and I would move.
38. Would you rather have less work to do, or more work you actually enjoy doing? More work that I enjoy.
39. Do you feel like you’ve lived this day a hundred times before? No. While it has certain similarities to every other day, each day has an inkling of difference. 
40. When was the last time you marched into the dark with only the soft glow of an idea you strongly believed in? I can’t even remember…:/
41. If you knew that everyone you know was going to die tomorrow, who would you visit today? Oh man. This question makes me ridiculously sad…the list is long. I would tell people the important stuff, for example, how I reallyfeel.
42. Would you be willing to reduce your life expectancy by 10 years to become extremely attractive or famous? No. I don’t think either would be worth it.
43. What is the difference between being alive and truly livingYou can be alive but not truly living. Truly living is made up of many different experiences that are not necessarily a part of being alive. Truly living includes doing the things you want to do, traveling to the places you want to go, and surrounding yourself with people you love. Being alive is simply breathing.
44. When is it time to stop calculating risk and rewards, and just go ahead and do what you know is right? Before you waste time calculating the risk and rewards.
45. If we learn from our mistakes, why are we always so afraid to make a mistake? Because we are taught mistakes=failure and failure is BAD.
46. What would you do differently if you knew nobody would judge you?A lot of things. I would tell people “No” more often, as I am a people pleaser. And I would not worry about people thinking I’m a nerd. I already have embraced this lifestyle more over the past year. It’s a process.
47. When was the last time you noticed the sound of your own breathing? On my walk today. And it was quite loud. Haha.
48. What do you love?  Have any of your recent actions openly expressed this love?  I love food and my love for food is growing every day! I’ve been trying new recipes like nobody’s business and I’m enjoying every minute of it.
49. In 5 years from now, will you remember what you did yesterday?  What about the day before that?  Or the day before that? It’s doubtful that I will look back and say July 13th, 2015 was an incredible day. But it was a good day and I’m content with that. Life is made up of fantastic, memorable experiences but also the day-to-day boring and enjoyable moments of every day life. 
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’m becoming more independent. I can’t say I’m at a point where I’m totally in control but I’m definitely getting there.
And that’s all folks.
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1 lovely notes:

Victoria said...

My comment was soooo long that I got a "cannot be accepted" error!!! lol...I guess 4,096 words is the limit to a comment! :) Sooo I'm e-mailing it to you instead!

I loved going through your answers and coming up with my own. :)