The Power of Questions

Abstract

I recently stumbled across this extraordinary quote, one that begged me to consider: What are the most unifying questions from history? What questions might unify people today? What questions shape the future?What are the most compelling questions driving Leonardo? In part, the creative process is both an unbridled pursuit and an undeniable prompt of questions. Questions inspiring or inspired by art, science and technology span those that are seemingly unanswerable, obvious, urgent, timeless, profound, prosaic, fundamental, frivolous, cryptic, provocative, unexpected and, at times, unintended. Creative questions defy categorization. Dichotomies and contradictions abound, invariably yielding few answers and yet more questions.I am reminded of critical questions that have served as pivot points in my own life. Here’s an undoubtedly incomplete list of those questions I just can’t shake, those I return to repeatedly, and those that floor me every time.If I am not for myself, who will be for me?If I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?(Hillel, Pirkei Avot 1:14)I wish you courage: to ask of everything you meet,“What bridge are we?”(Mark Napo, from This Poem Should Be a Circle)Doesn’t everything die at last, and too soon?Tell me, what is it you plan to doWith your one wild and precious life?(Mary Oliver, from The Summer Day)I wonder if I’ve been changed in the night. Let me think. Was I the same when I got up this morning? I almost think I can remember feeling a little different. But if I’m not the same, the next question is “Who in the world am I?” Ah, that’s the great puzzle!”(Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland)I’m Nobody! Who are you?Are you — Nobody — too?(Emily Dickinson, poem #260)Where are you living?What are you doing?What are your relationships?Are you in right relation?Where is your water?(attributed to Hopi Elders, Hopi Nation, Oraibi, Arizona)It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? (Marianne Williamson)What keeps you up at night? What gets you up in the morning?How might we become more human and more humane?What if we reimagine everything?Why?Why not?