Questions we ask
I was reading Clint's blog today and was inspired by his entry on questions. He commented that there might not be anything more impactful to our future than the questions we ask (consciously or subconsciously). Imagine the power often unleashed by semantics! These were his comparisons:
• Do you think we ask ourselves enough questions? Why as we age do we seem to lose some of the curiosity of children and ask less questions?
I'm one of those people that thinks and analyzes and often has a hard time turning my thoughts off (just to get a wink of sleep). And I've noticed a pattern that sometimes comes along. I tend to start asking selfish questions... but as I think about the situation longer, I always try to play devils advocate and see the other side (which usually tends to change my thinking all together). then I start thinking about how I could help or serve that person I might be at odds with... or just knowing me, I think of ways in which to improve the world and promote truth if it involves a situation. I've found in my life if I don't give myself the appropriate time to think through situations I often respond with selfishness... which only begets one of two things 1) regret, 2) cuffuffled outcome- which leaves me wondering if there really was an intended outcome in the first place or if I was sadly sucked into knee-jerk reaction which 99.9% of the time I end up wanting to take back.
• If not all questions are created equal, how can I lead myself to asking better and better questions?
Good question... when you find the real answer Clint let me know... but honestly I have to act as a lawyer/detective type and try to think through all angles. (But even then, it is hard to ask that one question that unlocks the mystery to another person)... in teaching this is always my goal. There are questions that I've noticed tends to open people's hearts or understanding... I searched for these questions as a missionary too. But honestly, it comes down to practice and having the Lord guide you. :)
One time on my mission I had a dream that a significant leader of my church was out contacting people on the streets with me. I went first and tried to give my best approach. The person I spoke to smiled and then went on their way, without any interest. The leader I was with then took a turn, and asked a simple question and the people on the street decided right there that they wanted to be baptized. I stood there (in my dream) stunned! After talking to the people we were again alone and I asked him "How did you do that, can you teach the secret?" (The words were one's that I had used before as well). He looked at me and said... "Follow the Spirit." I will never forget that... and in fact right after that response in my dream it impacted me so much that I woke up and wrote it down so that I wouldn't forget it. I couldn't recall what he said when I woke up so when I saw my very sloppy handwriting... I smiled and to be honest was a bit let down. But thinking about this more and more... only one really knows all sides of the story and what question will open another's heart. I will never forget that lesson... and I hope that I can one day be that good at asking questions and getting outside of myself enough to really see truth.
- You will see things differently and have a different experience if you are asking “How can I get out of this meeting as quickly as possible?” vs. “What meaningful things can I learn and/or contribute during this time?” vs “How can I make sure I don’t embarrass myself in this meeting like I did last time?”
- As another simple example, when meeting a person imagine asking: “What does he/she think of me?” vs. “What is his/her life like?” vs. “How can I make this person’s life a little better?” vs. “Why am I even talking to this person?”
• Do you think we ask ourselves enough questions? Why as we age do we seem to lose some of the curiosity of children and ask less questions?
I'm one of those people that thinks and analyzes and often has a hard time turning my thoughts off (just to get a wink of sleep). And I've noticed a pattern that sometimes comes along. I tend to start asking selfish questions... but as I think about the situation longer, I always try to play devils advocate and see the other side (which usually tends to change my thinking all together). then I start thinking about how I could help or serve that person I might be at odds with... or just knowing me, I think of ways in which to improve the world and promote truth if it involves a situation. I've found in my life if I don't give myself the appropriate time to think through situations I often respond with selfishness... which only begets one of two things 1) regret, 2) cuffuffled outcome- which leaves me wondering if there really was an intended outcome in the first place or if I was sadly sucked into knee-jerk reaction which 99.9% of the time I end up wanting to take back.
• If not all questions are created equal, how can I lead myself to asking better and better questions?
Good question... when you find the real answer Clint let me know... but honestly I have to act as a lawyer/detective type and try to think through all angles. (But even then, it is hard to ask that one question that unlocks the mystery to another person)... in teaching this is always my goal. There are questions that I've noticed tends to open people's hearts or understanding... I searched for these questions as a missionary too. But honestly, it comes down to practice and having the Lord guide you. :)
One time on my mission I had a dream that a significant leader of my church was out contacting people on the streets with me. I went first and tried to give my best approach. The person I spoke to smiled and then went on their way, without any interest. The leader I was with then took a turn, and asked a simple question and the people on the street decided right there that they wanted to be baptized. I stood there (in my dream) stunned! After talking to the people we were again alone and I asked him "How did you do that, can you teach the secret?" (The words were one's that I had used before as well). He looked at me and said... "Follow the Spirit." I will never forget that... and in fact right after that response in my dream it impacted me so much that I woke up and wrote it down so that I wouldn't forget it. I couldn't recall what he said when I woke up so when I saw my very sloppy handwriting... I smiled and to be honest was a bit let down. But thinking about this more and more... only one really knows all sides of the story and what question will open another's heart. I will never forget that lesson... and I hope that I can one day be that good at asking questions and getting outside of myself enough to really see truth.
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