Sometimes we ask the big questions of ourselves and many of them start with "What If?"
I'm wondering though whether we are looking in the right direction when we ask those questions? Are we asking the right "What Ifs?" or should we be considering them from a different angle. Here's a few that have come to mind for me in the not too distant past:
What if I had more time?
The real questions here are - What's taking up my time that isn't important to my life? What can I let go of to make room for the things that are fermenting away at the back of my mind? Why am I filling my life with clutter and and time consuming tasks that aren't enriching me?
There are certainly a million little things that we need to do to make life happen, but there are a lot of extras that we get caught up in because we think we should, because we think it's expected of us. What if we tried letting some of them go? The the question could really be "what do I really want to do with the time I've freed up?" So many of those little ideas would have time to blossom and who knows what might happen - maybe you'd start a blog!
What if I didn't have to work all the time?
The real questions are - Why do I work full time? What do I have in my life that requires me to spend so much time behind a desk (or wherever you work)? Have I filled my life up with things that cost me more money than I expected? Can I downsize my life a little and create a world that costs me less to maintain?
There are people that love their jobs and want to be working all day every day, but there are also a lot of people slogging away because they think they have no choice. Maybe we need to look at our lifestyles and see whether we have become too first world in our needs and wants. Reducing the size of your house, or the size of your car, or the number of toys or holidays you think you need can free up a lot of cash. Maybe then you can reduce your work hours and enjoy some of that time you have to spare.
What if I could do or be anything I wanted?
The real questions are - Why am I not doing or being what I want to already? How have I become so trapped in a life that isn't making me as happy as I should be? What can I do to make my marriage better? What can I do to make my family life flourish? What bad habits do I need to break free from? Why am I too scared to pursue my dreams?
Courage and being prepared to take risks and maybe fail, are what we need to pursue our dreams. Staying stuck where we are isn't brave, it's just treading water and being surprised we're not moving forward. Life is short and who knows what tomorrow holds? I think it's time we asked the right questions and (as the Australian band The Masters Apprentices sang) then we can "do what we want to do and be what we want to be...Yeah!"
It is so hard! It's much easier to take the easy road than the unknown path!
ReplyDeleteI know Sarah, but I'm getting braver and sometimes the unknown path leads to really interesting places :)
DeleteExcellent "what if" questions. I have been asking myself a few of those this week. Courage is the antidote to fear. Thanks for the reminder that I need to start pursuing my dreams. What if I had not stopped by tonight and not read your blog?
ReplyDeleteI must have been meant to be Chris! Keep chasing after what your heart wants because you won't get there if you are answering the wrong "what ifs?" :)
DeleteA perfect post for me to read in the new year. What if? Indeed. I have some of those I'm working on sorting out. Your lovely words will help me. Thanks, Leanne.
ReplyDeletethanks Cathy - I hope you ask the right questions and the answers move you forward in a really good direction.
DeleteYour first question was a tiny little lightning bolt moment for me. What IF I had more time? And why DON'T I? I feel like I'm always so busy, and you're right, if I take a step back and look at things with a critical eye, a lot of it is just...busywork. Thanks for the perspective :)
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure - I was the same - filling my time with things that I thought were necessary but really weren't - now I prioritize more and that has made me a lot happier - and freer!
DeleteThat's some deep philosophical stuff there;) I definitely prefer having less and enjoying life more. xx Abby
ReplyDeleteme too Abby - it's all about working out what is important to your quality of life isn't it. xx
Deleteme too Abby - it's all about working out what is important to your quality of life isn't it. xx
DeleteHere's to asking the right questions!
ReplyDeletemy sentiments exactly Diane!
DeleteWhat if? I always ask myself that, and I know because I am hiding behind something. Really makes you stop and think
ReplyDeletethat's a really good point - we often hide behind things because that's easier than being brave and taking a risk. But we miss out on so much that way.
DeleteOne of the perks of being a woman of a certain age is finally having the time to ask and answer those tough questions. Of course the hard part is acting on the answers. Great post!
ReplyDeleteso true Mithra - I love having the time to think things through and work out what is really important to me, rather than what makes it easier for everyone else.
DeleteIt is always a good question, a reality question! One's whole life doesn't have to change but maybe just some!
ReplyDeleteYep - little bits of change here and there make for a more "real" life don't they Haralee. I'm really enjoying trying to find what is important and discarding what's not.
DeleteGreat perspective. I often ask What If, but maybe I need to delve a little deeper!
ReplyDeleteThe thing is Lana that the more questions you ask, the more questions you find - that's one of life's interesting conundrums :)
DeleteI love the way you have looked at time in this article, it really makes me think what am I doing? Where does my time go? I always want more hours to write, yet I struggle to find them, but I love the way you have made me reassess here. #BlogShareLearn
ReplyDeletethanks Mackenzie - I think it's something I've been working on for a while now - where all the time goes and why I don't have enough time for the things I love - that is gradually changing (thank goodness!)
DeleteCheer, cheer. What good questions to ask ourselves. I need to answer myself and check that what I am doing is giving me purpose and fulfillment.
ReplyDeleteThanks Leanne,
The Blogger's Pit Stop is looking forward to more of your wisdom.
Kathleen
You would be one of the leading lights for finding purpose and fulfillment Kathleen and I'm following any advice you share in the process!
DeleteLove this post, sometimes it's so useful to just take a step back and re-evaluate. #overthemoon
ReplyDeletethanks Jessica - I think it's a good habit to get into. Just the question of why we do things a certain way can really get you thinking.
DeleteI learned a really long time ago that it's very unproductive to think about the "what ifs" and I don't think about it anymore. Thanks for sharing your post at the Over the Moon Link Party.
ReplyDelete