We have on average 50,000 thoughts per day. How many of those are questions?
From the mundane...
Should I hit snooze again? Do I really need another coffee? Is it cold outside? Jessie Ware or Cardi B?
To the existential...
Why am I here? Can I touch the clouds? Do I matter? What did I come here to do?
I used to be the type of person to never question anything. I wanted to go with the flow, be super chill, and avoid stirring the pot. I think in venturing deeper into my yoga practice, there was some confusion for me around this. By practicing non-reaction, I've learned so much about being in control of my actions and being ok with what happens around me, knowing that I can't control everything and everyone. Learning this has been extremely helpful but I needed to strike a balance between non-reaction and speaking up when it's the right thing to do.
I began asking myself a lot of questions and questioning things around me.
Am I happy?
What are my limitations?
Is this worth my energy?
Am I inspiring others?
Am I using my gifts to uplift?
I've learned that we have to ask questions. Questions temporarily halt the flow. They force you to take a step back and look at the big picture. And most of all, I've learned that asking questions can help me stay on my path, in my lane, and focused on my goals, to become my greatest version. Today I want to share three questions I ask myself every day.
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| Top: Value Village, $6. Pants: Primark, $30. Shoes: Zara, $25. Bag: Ragtime, $15. Hoops: Forever 21, $8. |
1. How can I inspire and uplift others today?
This is the question I ask myself most frequently. This one, like the other two that follow, generally comes to me during or after my morning meditation. It's more of a thought than a question I ask myself in the mirror.
I've learned that the most effective way for me to feel good at a deeper level is by helping other people. As an over-analytical Virgo who spends way too much time dwelling in my own mind among my racing thoughts, I need to engage in something every day that gets me out of my head. Helping other people is my antidote. It makes me realize that whatever I was ruminating on isn't as important as I thought and there is more to life that the inner workings of my complex brain.
Helping others usually revolves around compliments, chats, assisting with tasks, driving people places, making people food or drinks, donating to causes, and teaching yoga. But it's not just about directly helping other people, I also have to consciously choose to be kind when someone or something is challenging. I have to work to try not to gossip and to avoid raising my voice when I feel angry. I know at the end of the day, I won't feel better for yelling or gossiping or reacting in a negative way, so I try my best to choose the other option (love).
2. What small step can I take today to get closer to achieving my dreams?
I have big, big, dreams. I think we all should. Dreams only become reality when you firstly dare to acknowledge them, and secondly, realize that making them come true is totally possible. The most important step to actioning dreams is knowing that they take time, persistence, focus and discipline. If the time is going to pass anyway, why not take a small step towards it every day?
I do something small every day to get there. I also acknowledge that I am already living my dreams every day. We have to use language as if we've already gotten to where we want to go. So that's what I do.
3. What's one thing I can do to feel good today?
My answer is usually: go help someone. It also relates to my daily routine. In order to accomplish the things I want to in this life, I'm going to need a strong body and mind. I ask myself what I can do to get stronger. Sometimes it's what you may think: eat well, drink water, exercise, meditate, get fresh air. But some days, feeling good is about: resting, not restricting myself from indulgences, canceling plans and taking a night off.
It's all about listening to what feels right for me but also reminding myself of the importance of developing physical and mental strength to help me get to where I want to go.
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| PHOTOS BY LISA KIDD. We took these right before attending our very first Question Period on Parliament Hill. |
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