Qs Week 26 - Days 183-189
Sign up and we'll send you a Daily Q. If you're brand new or would like to start at the very beginning, then we recommend you work your way through from 1 to 366 (a Daily Q for every day of the year plus an extra). Also check out our posts on Facebook, Telegram, Twitter, Instagram, MeWe.
Day 183 - What if change were required?
Do you like change?
Do you get excited when a new gadget is announced? When your work/life is rearranged? Your holiday plans are suddenly upended? When someone you regard highly does something you didn't expect? When your favourite coffee shop closes?
Or do you become annoyed, worried, frustrated, even angry? Do you try to make someone right or wrong? Do you start thinking something is "wrong with the world" and lament "if only things didn't change?"
What if nothing were wrong?
What if change was needed to create something even greater? So next time you feel uncomfortable about a change, ask "What if change were required?"
Then smile and enjoy what shows up next.
Do you get excited when a new gadget is announced? When your work/life is rearranged? Your holiday plans are suddenly upended? When someone you regard highly does something you didn't expect? When your favourite coffee shop closes?
Or do you become annoyed, worried, frustrated, even angry? Do you try to make someone right or wrong? Do you start thinking something is "wrong with the world" and lament "if only things didn't change?"
What if nothing were wrong?
What if change was needed to create something even greater? So next time you feel uncomfortable about a change, ask "What if change were required?"
Then smile and enjoy what shows up next.
Day 184 - Is there a lie spoken or unspoken here?
Has anyone ever been angry with you to try and distract you from seeing what was true, either so you wouldn't see it, or so they didn't have to look at it?
For example, when you question someone because you sense they were lying. Did they get angry or indignant and say things like "I can't believe you are questioning me?!" Did that make you angry?
Do you get angry when people say things about you that aren't true?
One useful thing to know about angry is that it can indicate a lie. So next time you feel anger rising, ask yourself "Is there a lie spoken or unspoken here?" You will know. And if you'd like more clarity, stop and ask the other person "What do you mean by that?" Then listen.
Asking questions in the face of anger will move you from the auto-response of reaction, to the freedom of action, so you can create what you'd really prefer.
For example, when you question someone because you sense they were lying. Did they get angry or indignant and say things like "I can't believe you are questioning me?!" Did that make you angry?
Do you get angry when people say things about you that aren't true?
One useful thing to know about angry is that it can indicate a lie. So next time you feel anger rising, ask yourself "Is there a lie spoken or unspoken here?" You will know. And if you'd like more clarity, stop and ask the other person "What do you mean by that?" Then listen.
Asking questions in the face of anger will move you from the auto-response of reaction, to the freedom of action, so you can create what you'd really prefer.
Day 185 - What's right about my go slow?
How often have you been told that you must meet deadlines at any cost, or finish everything you start otherwise you're a failure? Do you think if only you didn't procrastinate you'd be happier, more successful and make more money?
Just because other people tell you something, does it mean it's true? Only if you agree with them.
So what if procrastinating wan't what you thought it was? What if it was an expression of your awareness that the energy had moved on and something else was required? What if it was an indication of your boredom, prompting you to find something you truly enjoy so you could make a greater contribution? Or maybe it was telling you that you weren't yet fully equipped to do the job that was required?
So next time you find you're beating yourself up over not doing things 'on time' or telling yourself your no good because you didn't meet someone else's expectations, ask "What's right about my go slow?" Notice what comes to mind and ask "What action can I take?"
Just because other people tell you something, does it mean it's true? Only if you agree with them.
So what if procrastinating wan't what you thought it was? What if it was an expression of your awareness that the energy had moved on and something else was required? What if it was an indication of your boredom, prompting you to find something you truly enjoy so you could make a greater contribution? Or maybe it was telling you that you weren't yet fully equipped to do the job that was required?
So next time you find you're beating yourself up over not doing things 'on time' or telling yourself your no good because you didn't meet someone else's expectations, ask "What's right about my go slow?" Notice what comes to mind and ask "What action can I take?"
Day 186 - What if being a parent wasn't what I thought it was?
What does having children mean to you? Have you ever said "I'm never going to have children" or "I don't think I'd be a good parent"?
What does parenting mean to you? What have you decided being a parent has to be? Have you based that decision on what your parents, friends, relatives, neighbours, 'experts', or the media have told you?
Do these expectations about having children and becoming a parent feel light or heavy to you? Are you stressed or conflicted about what to do? How is this impacting on your relationships with your insignificant other?
Wht if you could create a different reality for you as a parent? A reality that was light, exciting and joyful?
If you'd like to find out, ask "What if being a parent wasn't what I thought it was?" and destroy and uncreate everything you have made real about what other people have told you.
Then get clear on the energy on the life you'd really like and see where that leads you.
What does parenting mean to you? What have you decided being a parent has to be? Have you based that decision on what your parents, friends, relatives, neighbours, 'experts', or the media have told you?
Do these expectations about having children and becoming a parent feel light or heavy to you? Are you stressed or conflicted about what to do? How is this impacting on your relationships with your insignificant other?
Wht if you could create a different reality for you as a parent? A reality that was light, exciting and joyful?
If you'd like to find out, ask "What if being a parent wasn't what I thought it was?" and destroy and uncreate everything you have made real about what other people have told you.
Then get clear on the energy on the life you'd really like and see where that leads you.
Day 187 - What does marriage mean to me?
Have you found someone special, who you absolutely adore? Do you wake up smiling about them, wondering when you're going to see them next, or being excited to tell them something?
Are you thinking about marriage, hoping they'll pop the question, or waiting for the right moment to ask?
What are your hopes, dreams and fantasies about getting married? Do you hope it will create something in your relationship that you don't yet have? Does it give you a sense of security and stability? Or do you consider it a great excuse for a party, and to say to everyone you care about "Hey, look at us! We like hanging out! Come and celebrate!"?
Perhaps you're uncertain about it? Do you have people in your life telling you how good/bad it is? If so, and you'd like more clarity, ask "What does marriage mean to me?" Notice what comes to mind. Have you made marriage the answer to something? If so, you might want to ask another question.
Are you thinking about marriage, hoping they'll pop the question, or waiting for the right moment to ask?
What are your hopes, dreams and fantasies about getting married? Do you hope it will create something in your relationship that you don't yet have? Does it give you a sense of security and stability? Or do you consider it a great excuse for a party, and to say to everyone you care about "Hey, look at us! We like hanging out! Come and celebrate!"?
Perhaps you're uncertain about it? Do you have people in your life telling you how good/bad it is? If so, and you'd like more clarity, ask "What does marriage mean to me?" Notice what comes to mind. Have you made marriage the answer to something? If so, you might want to ask another question.
Day 188 - What do I enjoy talking about?
What do people around you talk about? Do they gossip and talk endlessly about the next instalment of the trauma and drama in their, or other people's lives? Do they usually focus on who did what bad thing to someone else? Or maybe they talk about hair, makeup, furniture, renovations, drinking, sports, cars, or some other 'desirable' objects?
Or course there is nothing wrong with these things if they're fun for you. So do you enjoy it and join in? Does it make you feel uncomfortable or get you down? Or are you simply puzzled why people spend their time talking about things like this?
If you realise you're not enjoying the conversations around you ask "What do I enjoy talking about?" and notice what comes to mind. If you realise what you enjoy doesn't match what people around you are talking about, simply acknowledge it with "How interesting I don't enjoy this." Then gently extract yourself.
If you can't immediately remove yourself from the conversation, a smile, a nod, and interesting point of view energy will take you out of resist and react. What if by not engaging in the talk, you changed the conversation?
And you can always ask "What will it take for more fun people to come and play?" and find people who are more in your zone.
Or course there is nothing wrong with these things if they're fun for you. So do you enjoy it and join in? Does it make you feel uncomfortable or get you down? Or are you simply puzzled why people spend their time talking about things like this?
If you realise you're not enjoying the conversations around you ask "What do I enjoy talking about?" and notice what comes to mind. If you realise what you enjoy doesn't match what people around you are talking about, simply acknowledge it with "How interesting I don't enjoy this." Then gently extract yourself.
If you can't immediately remove yourself from the conversation, a smile, a nod, and interesting point of view energy will take you out of resist and react. What if by not engaging in the talk, you changed the conversation?
And you can always ask "What will it take for more fun people to come and play?" and find people who are more in your zone.
Day 189 - What energy could my smile contribute?
Think of the last time you were in a class, meeting, workout, or family gathering. How did you feel? Tired? Drained? Bored?
Were you dreaming of a good lie down, yearning for some chocolate (or something stronger), or wondering what on earth you were doing there?
What were your students, teacher, boss, co-workers, trainer, coach, family or friends doing? Were they smiling and joyful, offering expressions of encouragement, support and understanding? Or were their brows furrowed, their faces blank or glued to their phones?
Do you sense the energetic difference between someone who smiles at you and tells you "Yes, let's do this think! Great going!" and someone who looks serious or glum and tells you "No, not like that. Do it right like this!" or someone who never looks up from their phone?
Next time you find you're in a situation like this, ask "What energy could my smile contribute?" If you sense it could create change, then smile. And if you sense that they won't choose to change, then you can always smile and walk away.
What if a smile alone created more joyful energy in your life? Would you choose to smile even more?
Were you dreaming of a good lie down, yearning for some chocolate (or something stronger), or wondering what on earth you were doing there?
What were your students, teacher, boss, co-workers, trainer, coach, family or friends doing? Were they smiling and joyful, offering expressions of encouragement, support and understanding? Or were their brows furrowed, their faces blank or glued to their phones?
Do you sense the energetic difference between someone who smiles at you and tells you "Yes, let's do this think! Great going!" and someone who looks serious or glum and tells you "No, not like that. Do it right like this!" or someone who never looks up from their phone?
Next time you find you're in a situation like this, ask "What energy could my smile contribute?" If you sense it could create change, then smile. And if you sense that they won't choose to change, then you can always smile and walk away.
What if a smile alone created more joyful energy in your life? Would you choose to smile even more?