The Three Questions that I Live By

Last week, I heard the sirens of an ambulance right outside my window. When I went to take a look, I noticed EMTs working on a man who had clearly fallen on the sidewalk.

 

He was lying helplessly as they were working on him.

 

I don’t know what happened to him as an ambulance arrived and whisked him away. I hope he survived.

 

But I just remember thinking, he didn’t know that was going to happen when he stepped out of bed that morning.

 

Instead, he was simply out on a walk.

 

Life is finite and unpredictable. And yet, we often don’t use our time wisely because we’re distracted or on autopilot.

 

So how do we live with intention? How not to feel like we’re going through the motions? And how do we stay connected to this moment?

 

Here’s a simple exercise that I learned back in early 2020 which I find to be especially helpful when I feel caught up in the daily grind of life.

 

Know Your Three Questions.

 

What are the three questions you’ll ask yourself when you’re in your twilight years?

 

So when we do meet the end of our journey and answer these questions with a resounding YES, then it’s a life well led and without regrets.

 

Sometimes, it takes us looking to our last day to ensure that we’re living up to our potential today.

 

My questions are:

 

Was I present with my loved ones?

Did I experience adventures?

Did I make a difference?

 

Once we’re clear on our questions, then, the next step is to schedule them. 

 

Meaning for my questions, it looks like this:

 

  • Was I present with my loved ones? I regularly FaceTime with my parents who live in a different state, plan trips to visit my college buddies, and put my phone away when at dinner with my niece.

  

  • Did I experience adventures? I visit my bucket list countries (New Zealand and Indonesia), take hikes with my pup to local parks, and check out new restaurants in my neighborhood.

 

  • And did I make a difference? I volunteer for causes dear to my heart, show up vulnerably with my loved ones, and engage in meaningful endeavors by working with folks who are wanting to lead their organizations with more clarity and joy.

 

And finally, once you’re clear about your questions and have them scheduled in, set up reminders on your phone on a weekly basis.

 

It’s an opportunity to trigger you to take a pause and think through your questions. Hmm, am I being present? Have I planned adventures? Am I making a difference?

 

My invitation this week is to set some time aside this week to reflect on your three questions. Keep it simple.

 

Hope this serves!

 

Shalini

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