Well, I thought this would be an interesting way to help get the year off right… or not. I came across a blog called Marc and Angel Hack Life, a married couple that talks about finding positive outlooks on life. In a post titled 50 Questions That Will Free Your Mind, which they actually wrote in July 2009, then offered the 50 questions below as a way to, well, free your mind of worry, stress, whatever.

The funny thing is that they must have gotten overwhelmed at a certain point with the comments, about 200 of them, because Marc only wrote one response, though he addressed maybe 10 people in that response. They actually have a pretty cool site, so if you check out this particular post, you should see the new stuff they have to offer.

Anyway, I decided that I would take up the challenge and respond to the questions in my own way, which will probably be a mix of silly, serious and thought provoking because that’s just how I am. On their site, many people answered the questions in their comments while some others answered the questions on their own blogs, like I’m doing, and linked back. For those of you who always ask “where do you come up with ideas for blog posts”, this is one of those ways. Okay, let’s get this party started.

1. How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?

I’d be as old as I was.

2. Which is worse, failing or never trying?

Never trying.

3. If life is so short, why do we do so many things we don’t like and like so many things we don’t do?

Because we’re not always in control of every aspect of our destiny.

4. When it’s all said and done, will you have said more than you’ve done?

Probably, with all the writing I do.

5. What is the one thing you’d most like to change about the world?

I wish we were all nicer and more cordial to each other.

6. If happiness was the national currency, what kind of work would make you rich?

Writing, although I might expand it to musical composition and lyric writing.

7. Are you doing what you believe in, or are you settling for what you are doing?

I’m pretty much doing what I believe in, though I wouldn’t be depressed if it paid better.

8. If the average human life span was 40 years, how would you live your life differently?

I wouldn’t be here so I guess I wouldn’t be living my life at all.

9. To what degree have you actually controlled the course your life has taken?

I became a sole entrepreneur 10 years ago so I’d have more control over my destiny.

10. Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things?

Doing things right because doing the right thing seems to come naturally to me.

11. You’re having lunch with three people you respect and admire. They all start criticizing a close friend of yours, not knowing she is your friend. The criticism is distasteful and unjustified. What do you do?

I speak up very quickly so they’ll stop embarrassing themselves and I don’t have to leave, though I might. Then again, people I admire would know better.

12. If you could offer a newborn child only one piece of advice, what would it be?

Live life the best you can.

13. Would you break the law to save a loved one?

In a heartbeat.

14. Have you ever seen insanity where you later saw creativity?

If seeing how an artist creates a painting, then yes.

15. What’s something you know you do differently than most people?

Make sure the frosting on my cake is to the left before I start eating it.

16. How come the things that make you happy don’t make everyone happy?

Because we’re all individuals and dance to the beat of a different drum.

17. What one thing have you not done that you really want to do? What’s holding you back?

Sing the National Anthem at a baseball game. I stopped singing in 1999, so it’s an impractical wish now.

18. Are you holding onto something you need to let go of?

Probably, but I’m not always the “letting go” type.

19. If you had to move to a state or country besides the one you currently live in, where would you move and why?

I’m living exactly where I want to live. I’ll say New Mexico because I’ve never been there and hope they have a lake nearby.

20. Do you push the elevator button more than once? Do you really believe it makes the elevator faster?

No.

21. Would you rather be a worried genius or a joyful simpleton?

Worried genius; they eventually accomplish something.

22. Why are you, you?

Because I’m good at it.

23. Have you been the kind of friend you want as a friend?

Pretty close to it. I don’t talk to any of my friends as often as I probably should but I’m easy to reach.

24. Which is worse, when a good friend moves away, or losing touch with a good friend who lives right near you?

Losing touch with a good friend near you because these days you can always keep in touch with good friends if they move away.

25. What are you most grateful for?

That chocolate is amazing.

26. Would you rather lose all of your old memories, or never be able to make new ones?

Ah, the Alzheimer question; I’d rather never be able to make new ones I suppose.

27. Is it possible to know the truth without challenging it first?

Yes; I know no one comes back from dying, so I’d rather not try to prove it incorrect.

28. Has your greatest fear ever come true?

No; I hope I have 50+ more years before it even thinks about it.

29. Do you remember that time 5 years ago when you were extremely upset? Does it really matter now?

Actually I do, and no, it doesn’t matter but I still can’t forget it.

30. What is your happiest childhood memory? What makes it so special?

The day my dad surprised us by coming back from Vietnam early, although he was in a half body cast. I think the answer to the first answers the second.

31. At what time in your recent past have you felt most passionate and alive?

I don’t have any moments in my recent past; now that’s a shame.

32. If not now, then when?

Soon.

33. If you haven’t achieved it yet, what do you have to lose?

Nothing; still have to figure out how to achieve it.

34. Have you ever been with someone, said nothing, and walked away feeling like you just had the best conversation ever?

No.

Why do religions that support love cause so many wars? Because religions don’t support love; they support themselves.     Is it possible to know, without a doubt, what is good and what is evil? Unfortunately no, because people grow up in different environments. If you just won a million dollars, would you quit your job? Yes. Would you rather have less work to do, or more work you actually enjoy doing? More work I actually enjoy doing. Do you feel like you’ve lived this day a hundred times before? Yes. When was the last time you marched into the dark with only the soft glow of an idea you strongly believed in? Five years ago when I created a website that, to date, hasn’t really worked for me. If you knew that everyone you know was going to die tomorrow, who would you visit today? No one; that would be too depressing to deal with. Would you be willing to reduce your life expectancy by 10 years to become extremely attractive or famous? Not at this stage of my life. What is the difference between being alive and truly living? We’re all alive; truly living is when you’re enjoying it. When is it time to stop calculating risk and rewards, and just go ahead and do what you know is right? When you’ve reached that point when you realize you’re ready to take your shot at it. If we learn from our mistakes, why are we always so afraid to make a mistake? Because it’s a misnomer that we all learn from our mistakes. We only learn from some of them; others are just nuisances that distract us. What would you do differently if you knew nobody would judge you? Nothing. Anything I did differently I’d deserve to be judged on. When was the last time you noticed the sound of your own breathing? This morning as I was trying to sleep. What do you love? Have any of your recent actions openly expressed this love? Since the question is “what” rather than “who”, I’d have to say nothing, and thus no to the second question. In 5 years from now, will you remember what you did yesterday? What about the day before that? Or the day before that? Depends on what it is I did. I tend to remember dates of things that made enough of an impression for me to remember. Decisions are being made right now. The question is: Are you making them for yourself, or are you letting others make them for you? Great final question. Being truthful, I’d have to say others are making the decisions for me instead of my being in control as much as I’d like to be. Such is the life of a consultant. Blogging, Social Media, Writing, Motivation and General Stuff