Last night I re-encountered a post I wrote back in 2020 where I listened quality questions for personal happiness. I have blogged using questions from this post several other times,* but it’s been awhile. I believe in the power of quality questions, so here goes another round:
- What can I focus on today that feels good?
I have been enjoying my creative projects this week, including a new piano piece, a new song, and these blog posts. It feels good to be creative, and like the silkworm keep spinning my silk. The creative problem-solving, not unlike doing a puzzle, is always fun.
- What benefit am I getting from having to deal with the current situation, as adverse as it sometimes may seem?
The challenging circumstances–or unwanted “contrast– I have been experiencing are helping me focus intently on what I want. They are also reminding me of who I really want to be, which is loving, appreciative, calm, and confident.
- What am I grateful for?
I am grateful for: my exercise life, my relationship with my wife, this blog, my creativity, my students, being inspired to start investing nearly ten years ago, and the fact that everyday I continually reach for clarity and good-feeling thoughts.
- Who am I grateful for?
Obviously, my wife. My mom, dad, and step-mom. My siblings. And other family. My students, for sure. My buddies (shout out to Rick for his steady support for this blog!).
Abraham-Hicks.
All the many creators who have entertained and inspired me throughout my life: authors, directors, actors, comedians, musicians, composers, rappers, public-speakers.
- What are the things I still get to enjoy, even if I might be constrained in what I can do in other ways?
Recently I have been enjoying knowing that I get to prepare my thoughts for receiving what I want. Even in situations that don’t feel good yet, I appreciate knowing that there is power in shifting my thoughts to what I prefer. From there, I know that the Universe handles bringing it to me.
All’s I gots to do is not block it with contradictory thought!
- What is one memory that I can think of right now that brings joy to me and a smile to my face?
Hanging with family at our yearly Fancy House, which we did for many years while my nieces were growing up.
- What am I proud of about myself?
I am proud that, all in all, I’m a good guy. And not just in the “being nice” way, but in the wholistic sense of having integrity, living with honor, loving my wife, and being good to others around me…. while also honoring myself!
- What advice would I give to someone else in my shoes?
I would say, “Dude, make sure to give yourself credit for the wonderful things about yourself. Enjoy the wins. Try to stay present and enjoy the journey, instead of worrying about what ‘should have been.’ Celebrate yourself in every way that feels good. Don’t worry about paths that don’t feel like hell yeses. Make life easy by only doing things that you are genuinely inspired to do. Stay the course of following what is right for you!”
*Other times I used questions from the post: here, here, and here.