365 Thought Provoking Questions. Answered: #1-16

There are often questions in life that cause the gears in our brains to move endlessly. Sometimes we have a handle on these questions, other times, we simply stare in mere panic and embarrassment, as we rush for a clever answer, but stall to find the truth with in us. A new series here at the DP and in-line with the original and still motivating theme of our little blog here, "As we struggle to make sense of things, life looks on in repose", yours truly will tackle over the course of 2012 the ever so popular 365 Thought Provoking Questions written and compiled by the folks over at Marc and Angel Hack Life. Here are my answers to these difficult and provoking questions. What are yours?

More Thought Provoking Questions. Answered.

1. When was the last time you tried something new?

I attempt to try something new every year no matter how small it may seem. I've never been much of a free spirit or a super-adventurous soul. In fact, the words that have become pretty popular over the years in describing me are "grounded" and "simple". I know, sounds unflattering, huh? But facts are facts. I like playing it safe unintentionally, which is one of the many reasons for the yearly bucket lists (located on the left side bar). And because of the 2011 Bucket List, I tried and ate Octopus while vacationing (or taking a Timeout) in St. Lucia. However, something like this raises another question: with all that life has to offer, how often should we be trying something new?

2. Who do you sometimes compare yourself to?

My father. While we are very different in many ways, the foundation of being laid back individuals that enjoys joking around with a "life could be worse" mentality is a mindset we both share. In some odd way despite our various differences, our outlook on life is very simple - enjoy it. I especially realize this more and more as I get older with the same responsibilities I saw my father very rarely worry over when I was a child. I now too am the same way, and thus, as I get older, my comparisons to him are closer, and growing. 

3. What’s the most sensible thing you’ve ever heard someone say?

There has been a few actually. However, the one that always stays with me is from a family friend who once said, "Life is beautiful. It's us, mankind, that messes everything up." If we can get out of our own way, and for some, they love themselves too much to do so,  this precious race call life is truly a beautiful thing.

4. What gets you excited about life?

Growth. Changing. The next day. I am currently reading Tuesday's With Morrie, recommended by my tag team partner, who read the book years before. There is a moment in the book where Morrie, Mitch Albom's dying professor, discussed aging. Our society emphasizes looking and trying to stay young, yet, growing older and wiser is the exciting part. Each day a new day with more wisdom on life. It's very much a feeling I can identify with. God has brought me thus far on this journey with a beautiful wife, home, family and friends. What will tomorrow bring? In the words of Bart Scott...can't wait!

5. What life lesson did you learn the hard way?

People are selfish. Very few people in this world are real. And the world can be very cold. Was I Naive? Of course. Throughout my younger years I've always attempted to give others the benefit of the doubt. Everyone had a inner niceness, that somehow I thought I was able to bring out.  But over the years through experiences, I've learned that those who deserve your absolute best should earn it. After working in the private financial sector for a few years, I witnessed lies, deception, double crossing, and flat out backstabbing by individuals to get ahead, and shockingly, sometimes without threat of their status. In my college years I saw classmates openly pass rumors and gossip without basis. I also had teammates openly care only about themselves over the team, including one who walked out on the team during a playoff game. And of course, numerous other examples that would make this answer into a novel.

Some in this world would do just about anything to get what they want or need without regards to others. And when this happens, which it does quite frequently, this world can often feel very cold. As I stated in #3, we're the ones that mess up life.  Fortunately, it didn't completely kill my spirit towards mankind, but unfortunately, it took me awhile to realize the ugly truth.

6. What do you wish you spent more time doing five years ago?

Five years ago I was one semester away from graduating college. As much as I was sick and tired of college at this point and couldn't wait to graduate, I wish I spent more time with those friends who I now realize I either will rarely ever see, or I will never ever see again.

I wish I also made more of an effort to punch the keys freely. I can only imagine the things I wouldve have wrote about, and the mindset I would have been coming from. Imagine the DP college years. I wish...

7. Do you ask enough questions or do you settle for what you know?

As a child, I asked a ton of questions. I wanted to know everything, and if I didn't understand it, I had my trusty 40-book encyclopedia set that I delved into for the answers. These days, I'm still the same, but like everyone else, if I don't know, I Google it. So I guess I don't ask others questions, just myself.

In fact to take it a step further, I am somewhat of a nerd at heart. Honestly, if school weren't so expensive, I'd probably take classes for the rest of my life. There is always something out there to learn.

8. Who do you love and what are you doing about it?

God. My Wife. My parents. My friends. I honor, serve, and attempt to share as much as my life with them, and be a part of theirs as well.

9. What’s a belief that you hold which many people disagree?

I believe in God, Jesus Christ dying for our sins, and that the Bible is the law. As history has seen, there are millions of people who disagree with this, with some that even want me dead.

10. What can you do today that you were not capable of a year ago?

Anything that required self-confidence and special skill acknowledgement. I've always liked to blend in and not stand out. I still hate being the center of attention. Even when I had a talent or skill that garnered me attention, I tried to either deflect the acknowledgement, or simply play it coy. However, over the past year, with new responsibilities, such as marriage, self-confidence is not something I have gained, but an attribute I had to have for myself, my marriage, and my wife.

11. Do you think crying is a sign of weakness or strength?

Ugh. Weakness! Just joking. In some weird way, I believe that crying is an emotional reaction for those who are comfortable and in-tune with understanding and expressing their feelings. We all just have different levels of emotional sensitivity that cause us to cry. I must have a high tolerance as it has been over a twelve years since I last shed a tear. The last time? I was fourteen, and I cried as laid in pain in bed as my left foot, a surgically repaired club foot, throbbed in serious numbness-like pain after baseball practice.

12. What would you do differently if you knew nobody would judge you?

This is such an interesting and complex question. And yes, it is very provoking. As I make my way through the field of 365, I sat and stared at this question for awhile as it has many sides to it. Despite struggling with a strong sense of self-confidence, I've never cared what others thought about me. Even through those critical High School years, I was just me. On the other side, there are various things we all do, subconsciously to fit into the norms of society in fear of ridicule and judgement.

But if i had to choose something - and I do - I would do a couple of things.

I would freely use sports and wrestling chants in random situations to describe how I feel. Stuck in a boring meeting? How about chanting , "booooooring, booooring"? Someone annoy you at work? How about just pointing at the person and yelling, "you suck!" *clap* *clap* "you suck!".

I would also have my selected theme song hit before I enter any room with two or more persons. Yeaaah, that would be awesome.

And finally, I'd talk like Clyde Frazier all day long. Forcing everyone around me to feel like a precocious neophyte, folks! 

What? You think these are stupid?

Don't judge me.

13. Do you celebrate the things you do have?

I try. I honestly don't do it enough. I don't think anyone does. It's so easy in our hectic schedules and lives of must do's to appreciate the simple things. We are often in such a state of mind of maintaining and gaining, that we don't appreciate the things we have. Especially our loved ones, our health, and our freedom.

14. What is the difference between living and existing?

Existing is being in a state where life controls you. You are stuck in a mindset with routines and other various rituals that you feel you must adhere to. Living is controlling your life, and attempting to maximize your experience beyond a certain comfort zone.

15. If not now, then when?

In fifteen minutes...

16. Is it possible to lie without saying a word?

Of course! Silence and actions are often more deceiving than words.