Five Thoughts to Mull Over This Week
Life gets busy with so many obligations and responsibilities to fulfill. If you have time to chill, count yourself lucky. But most people are cranking without the luxury of time to think about deeper things. So here are some thought starters for your work week—one per day to mull over in the privacy of your own mind while sipping a cup of coffee, gazing out the window, or getting in your daily walk.
Monday: If someone were to capture your inner dialog and put it to music, what genre of music would it be?
Tuesday: Imagine being interviewed for a job. The interviewer takes you by surprise by stating you will be hired, or not, based on how you answer this one question: What is the absolute most precious thing about you? Are you prepared to answer? If so, what will you say?
Wednesday: Someday, you won’t be around. And, yet, those who knew you may still talk about you. What moment would you most want them to talk about, and what would you hope they say?
Thursday: Being an extraordinary person is a gift acquired through the exceptional actions you take. What out of the ordinary action can you take today that will matter deeply to someone?
Friday: Are you worried about anything? Believe that doubt and faith are two sides of the same coin. Doubt raises the questions. Faith pursues the answers. Between the two, you’ll find your way to happiness.
Well Street
These are all amazing things to ponder.
During those times when my inner dialogue has been on the unhealthier side, the genre of "music" would likely be death metal—lyrics (dialogue) and noise that represent darkness and pain.
However, the chill and groovy rhythms of reggae music fit the bill when my self-talk is aligned with support and kindness. Ah, to be on a beach in Hawaii again.
Lens
Regarding Monday's question, when I'm busy, punk music with its repetitive and imperative lyrics and sounds probably represents my thoughts the best. The rest of the time, my thoughts become more introspective or wander into interesting new areas, which resembles psychedelic rock. If I were a musician, I could see myself trying to blend those two genres.
Evangel
Monday's inner dialogue shifted away from the calm, classical guitar genre all the way over to the old protest music genre once I learned about the day's repeated mass shootings.
As far as Tuesday's question, I would answer: "I care deeply."
Slipstream
Monday music: On my busy days, I'd say my brain feels like it's on speed metal music. When I'm more connected to myself and not the outer chaos, I'd say Americana.
Tuesday: I like to make people feel good about themselves.
Wednesday: The moment I made them feel special, and that I was kind, thoughtful, and loving, and sometimes funny.
Evangel
I've mulled around Wednesday's thought challenge, and I think the moment would have to be different for each person. But hopefully for each it would evoke laughter, something memorable I said, or fondly recalling and poking fun at some of my quirks.
Well Street
Tuesday: People feel like they're being listened to and that I'm genuinely interested in what they have to say.
Wednesday: I think they'd talk about how I was a good, genuine guy who was good for a laugh and a shoulder to lean on.
Slipstream
It's Thursday, and my out-of-the-ordinary action today was to call my cousin to arrange a birthday surprise call to our precious aunt. So tomorrow, we'll be on the phone together to give our happy 89th birthday love to our beautiful aunt. It'll be fun; I can't wait.
Well Street
Today I did the "pay for the person behind you" at Starbucks drive-thru. The woman at the window said they had a big order that was $173.00; I was relieved that she was joking.
Slipstream
Too funny; I love people who have a sense of humor at work. And good for you; mission accomplished!
Slipstream
That's a great observation that doubt and faith are two sides of the same coin and happiness lies in between. That feels true for me as well.