For whatever reason, somewhere along the line it became more attractive to know the answers than to ask the questions. We started substituting conclusions for curiosity. We started relying on prior experience, rather than presence and observation, to inform our choices. We started making assumptions and judgments. We picked a“ truth” from the selection offered by our parents, society, or our own experience, and stuck to it like glue ― right up until that truth was challenged.

You know what I’ m talking about: that defining moment when you ask,“ Is this really what love is supposed to be?”“ Is this all this is to life?”“ Do I actually believe this, or have I just been doing what others told me to do?”

There is nothing more challenging to the human ego than the disruption or dismantling of a dearly-held conclusion. If we have lost the ability and inclination to question, these moments of revelation will feel frightening and disorienting, sometimes even to the point where hanging onto the old truth feels like a matter of life or death.

But it is in those moments of limbo ― when there is no answer at hand, when the void of uncertainty is looming large ― that the questions we’ d almost forgotten how to ask can come to the rescue, and sweep us off in an entirely new direction.

When we take nothing for granted, we are open to infinite possibility. Instead of judgment ― which is based in our prior experience and existing conclusions ― we can employ discernment, and make choices based on the truth of what’ s happening

in front of us. This is both incredibly empowering and tremendously scary. It is also the only way to get from where we are to where we want to be.

One of my biggest( and most rewarding) jobs as an editor and book creation coach is teaching inspired authors to ask questions that lead them into the heart of their work. When they do this, their words take on an almost magical quality, and gain the power to transform, in both big and small ways, all those who read them.

It’ s not enough to skim the surface of our own knowing; we must dive deep in order to retrieve the pearls of wisdom hidden beneath the waves. This depth of knowledge allows us to speak authentically and with conviction, trust ourselves and our core

If you are ready to step beyond what you’ ve known and begin to create a more authentic, radically engaged life, you need to take a deep breath and prepare to dive into the unknown. You need to strip

WISDOM & SELF-GROWTH