The Question That You Should Be Asking

by Shazad

“A ship is safe in the harbor, but that is not its purpose.” John A. Shedd

To say we live in uncertain and interesting times would be an understatement! There are many things happening in the world, as usual, and they may raise questions in everyone's mind. It doesn’t matter whether you are a young student or a busy professional at work. Maybe you are on the verge of retirement from a job, or you are a former government representative trying to figure out what you do next. So many questions to think about, and some are worth saying aloud.

The unleashing of modern AI tools across every sphere of life hasn’t made people any clearer or calmer, even though it has improved their ‘intelligence’ in some ways. Everyone seems to be worried about what jobs will be available to them, or whether they will even survive once AI tools reach the Super Intelligence level that some predict is around the corner. Some older questions people have been asking are about their health, finances, raising kids, and affording some nice things. Humanity has a long history of asking questions, which is a great thing. Let’s keep it up and try to ask better questions in every generation and at every stage of life!

I want to invite you to ask more profound questions, ones that feel more like your mission statements and are deeply empowering, rather than mundane questions like “What should I eat for lunch?” or “What TV show are we watching tonight?” These are boring and easily forgettable questions that should not take more than a few seconds or a minute to ponder. Save your precious attention and soul for something more meaningful. Let’s think more deeply about concepts like Ikigai, the Japanese word that translates to “reason for being”. What are you and I here to do? Each day. Each week. In your life!

Get out of the tactical “hell” of mundane questions with no real connection beyond a to-do list. Figure out your grand purpose for getting out of bed in the morning, and the 1 or 2 things you MUST accomplish today that will make you feel alive, grateful, and powerful!

Look at the resources you have been given, such as time, money, a car or two, relationships, and friendships. What are these doing to the design of your life? How are you taking each of these ingredients and turning them into some kind of masterpiece? Not every day is a great day, but being able to experiment and learn from whatever you try each day is empowering. It means you get to decide the direction you are headed and how you are going to feel about today, this month, and the rest of your life. You prove to yourself that you have some agency in this existence, and you can consciously choose to exercise it in meaningful ways!

Here’s an Awesome Life Statement template to consider:

“I woke up inspired today and give thanks to my Creator for [2 or 3 things you are blessed with]

My mission is to use [list of your resources] for the greatest benefit of [the people you care about] according to my values of [Your 3-4 key values].

I want to [Strategic Goal] every day, in the process of serving [your choice of people or causes].”

Here’s an example of my Awesome Life Statement:

“I woke up inspired today and give thanks to God Almighty for my life, faith, and good health.

My mission is to use my time, wealth, and skills for the greatest benefit of my family and community, guided by my values of Honesty, Justice, and Wisdom.

I want to continuously improve and learn every day while serving my Family and Humanity.”

So now you can stop asking simple, closed-ended questions that are ’t that important… or at least ask fewer of them. Spend some time today and every day crafting your personal Awesome Life Statement. It might take a few days to get the wording that aligns with who you are, but you will get there if you keep working on the template. Once you like the statement you came up with, look at it in the morning as soon as you wake up and before bed each night. Maybe frame it somewhere for your family to see, too. You are meant for something bigger than ‘survival’ or ‘getting through the day’. This Awesome Life Statement is your evidence, and everything you do in life, once you have yours, will have deeper meaning.

Have An Awesome Day Every Day!

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