Ignore the Question, Find the Answer
Lately it seems there have been lots of questions in my mind. Questions about what to do, the state of things, quality of life, the motives of others (and myself), political, career choices, spiritual, emotional, relational. The voices in my life (family, Facebook, friends, television, church, YouTube, blogs, newspaper, Twitter, etc.) contribute to the ever swirling cacophony of my thoughts.
I’ve noticed that focusing on the question generally means I’m not doing anything. When I spend my time asking (over and over) “What should I do about (pick one here)?” I quite often never answer. That means the time I have spent asking the question has been wasted time. I might as well watch old re-runs of “All in the Family“.
Questions are good. Questions are necessary. But if I focus only on the question, the answer (that is often right there in front of me) is useless. Example:
I wonder if why the dog is whining at the door? Give it enough time without addressing the obvious answer and I have a mess to clean up.
The other challenge is to quit trying to answer all the questions at one time. Do I do laundry, should I mop the floor, do I write my blog, do I visit my Dad, do I read a book, do I play Sims Social on Facebook, do I help my friend move, should I vote for Ron Paul, why can’t I beat Kim at Words with Friends, should I let my daughter get a two piece swim suit, should I, do I, can I . . . . .being overwhelmed with questions then tends to paralyze me and I run out of clean underwear.
My solution?
Look at one question at a time – if the answer isn’t fairly obvious, move on to the next question that I can answer. Take action. Repeat.
2012 – the year of answers and action.
Don't focus on problems either – focus on solutions.
I don't mean this in a super religious sense, but I have found that when I ask the question but kind of let it go off into the ether and the answer come back to me – it comes. So what I mean is that I try to stop answering the question myself and try to be quiet for a little and let the answer come to me, from wherever it is that answers come from! Even if it's should I do the laundry or walk the dog? They say that the minute you say a prayer for help, help is on the way.
Well, I think underwear must be a priority. 🙂 I would eliminate the things that contribute to your stress (like turn off the computer) and get the things done that matter to you most, one thing at a time. And ask for help. My pre-schooler is going to be my "co-worker" today and do the dusting as best he can while I vacuum. 🙂
Laughter always washes away my anxiety. Writing does too, but it's hard to write when I feel overwhelmed about the rest of my life. Find the thing that makes you forget about the rest and do that. 🙂
If nothing else, go on a road trip.
Yep. That's my life strategy too. I picked it up while at university, where struggling with a question too long could cost me the whole exam. 🙂