Freeing my mind . . .

I interrupt this post series on my Europe trip with a cool article I found called 50 Questions That Will Free Your Mind (the link to the article is here: http://www.marcandangel.com/2009/07/13/50-questions-that-will-free-your-mind/) I decided to answer them instead of doing school work . . . there were some really great questions and I think I'll want to consider some of them more thoroughly, especially now. Because if not now, when? (Question stolen from article, if you couldn't guess :-D). Not to say my answers are right or wrong- they're just what I'm thinking about at the moment. Give it a shot- it was fun and informative!

1. How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are? As old as I want to be. Even now I decide when I want to convey older traits- wisdom, strength, patience- and when I want to posses young traits- energy, fun, spontaneity. But really, these are just general categories- I am any and all.
2. Which is worse, failing or never trying? Never trying- "failing" can be the most important step to "success". I don't think I even believe in failure, as experience is always a learning process, no matter the outcome.
3. If life is so short, why do we do so many things we don’t like and like so many things we don’t do? Fear of uncertainty?
4. When it’s all said and done, will you have said more than you’ve done? Hope not. I'm learning that silence can be a beautiful, necessary thing. But so is experience.
5. What is the one thing you’d most like to change about the world? I wish that everyone did what they loved instead of considering it unreachable or just a hobby.
6. If happiness was the national currency, what kind of work would make you rich? Traveling, farming, eating delicious food, meeting interesting people. Having a lot of fun.
7. Are you doing what you believe in, or are you settling for what you are doing? I think, for the most part, I'm doing what I love, in the setting I'm in. But I guess right now I'm unsure if the setting is the right one.
8. If the average human life span was 40 years, how would you live your life differently? Probably would skip college and travel the world.
9. To what degree have you actually controlled the course your life has taken? All, whether I was aware or not. But then again, none, because I don't think there is such a thing as true control.
10. Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things? Doing the right things- but now less as I'm beginning to see no such thing as right/wrong.
11. You’re having lunch with three people you respect and admire.  They all start criticizing a close friend of yours, not knowing she is your friend.  The criticism is distasteful and unjustified.  What do you do? Reality- probably say nothing. I definitely shy away from conflict when I can.
12. If you could offer a newborn child only one piece of advice, what would it be? Don't listen to grown ups- you know everything already.
13. Would you break the law to save a loved one? Hell yeah.
14. Have you ever seen insanity where you later saw creativity? Yes- Lady Gaga, case in point.
15. What’s something you know you do differently than most people? Listen.
16. How come the things that make you happy don’t make everyone happy? Environment? Innate characteristics? Whatever it is, it's lovely.
17. What one thing have you not done that you really want to do? What's holding you back? Nomading. Fear of other's opinions, especially my parents, being fully on my own, money.
18. Are you holding onto something you need to let go of? Insecurities- though I'm getting better and better, I am still sometimes afraid to stand out- especially in large groups or around people I really want to like me.
19. If you had to move to a state or country besides the one you currently live in, where would you move and why? Everywhere, can't choose.
20. Do you push the elevator button more than once?  Do you really believe it makes the elevator faster? Yes- no, but it's fun!
21. Would you rather be a worried genius or a joyful simpleton? I'm pretty sure I'm already a joyful simpleton.
22. Why are you, you? My upbringing? My innate personality? Probably things beyond my knowing at the moment.
23. Have you been the kind of friend you want as a friend? I hope so :-).
24. Which is worse, when a good friend moves away, or losing touch with a good friend who lives right near you? Neither.
25. What are you most grateful for? This moment. It's pretty great- I'm learning a lot.
26. Would you rather lose all of your old memories, or never be able to make new ones? Probably lose old memories- the future as the present is probably more rewarding than staying glued to the past.
27. Is is possible to know the truth without challenging it first? No- it's constant challenge and change. Also truth? What's that?
28. Has your greatest fear ever come true? No. My insecurity about people silently judging me is my greatest fear. But I've never heard anyone judging me behind my back. It's happened to my face, but that' s not exactly what I fear. Plus, I don't know why I care so much- if I'm happy, it's all good.
29. Do you remember that time 5 years ago when you were extremely upset?  Does it really matter now? I was upset in high school about the fact that people didn't care about issues outside their immediate environment. I still care about what I care about, but I realize I can't change anyone without them wanting to change, so I'm not so bothered anymore. But, I am around very like minded people, so maybe this isn't a totally true statement.
30. What is your happiest childhood memory?  What makes it so special? I honestly don't know. I was generally happy as a child. Making cookies? Ice cream man? Playing with the neighbors?
31. At what time in your recent past have you felt most passionate and alive? Traveling and food conferences.
32. If not now, then when? Great question.
33. If you haven’t achieved it yet, what do you have to lose? I don't really have to achieve anything- I just want to be.
34. Have you ever been with someone, said nothing, and walked away feeling like you just had the best conversation ever? Yeah.  
35. Why do religions that support love cause so many wars? Because they are politicized as opposed to internalized.
36. Is it possible to know, without a doubt, what is good and what is evil? I don't think so- maybe there is no such thing . . . except the obnoxiously loud rap music playing outside my window.
37. If you just won a million dollars, would you quit your job? No, I would probably finish school, but take time off maybe or travel between breaks.
38. Would you rather have less work to do, or more work you actually enjoy doing? Right now, I'm pretty happy with the amount of work I have and am enjoying it.
39. Do you feel like you’ve lived this day a hundred times before? Not at all- there were some very defining moments in this day that were absolutely beautiful.
40. When was the last time you marched into the dark with only the soft glow of an idea you strongly believed in? Wtf? What kind of question is this?
41. If you knew that everyone you know was going to die tomorrow, who would you visit today? If they wanted to visit me, I would take them to Duck Yoa.
42. Would you be willing to reduce your life expectancy by 10 years to become extremely attractive or famous? No, not really interested in either. Besides, I'm already super attractive :-P.
43. What is the difference between being alive and truly living? I guess truly living would be able to take the form of any lifestyle, but at the happiness of the liver of that lifestyle.
44. When is it time to stop calculating risk and rewards, and just go ahead and do what you know is right? Always, risks and rewards are kind of silly parts of the silly games we like to play.
45. If we learn from our mistakes, why are we always so afraid to make a mistake? We fear change and uncertainty, but we basically stifle our growth if we don't recognize the biggest mistake is striving not to make mistakes. I should love to make mistakes- all it does is give me more experience.
46. What would you do differently if you knew nobody would judge you? I would hug and kiss everyone.
47. When was the last time you noticed the sound of your own breathing? Just a few moments ago, when I was meditating :-D.
48. What do you love?  Have any of your recent actions openly expressed this love? Everything, generally. Even if I say I hate it, I love hating it. I licked a tree on Saturday.
49. In 5 years from now, will you remember what you did yesterday?  What about the day before that?  Or the day before that? Maybe. Definitely. Probably.
50. Decisions are being made right now.  The question is:  Are you making them for yourself, or are you letting others make them for you? Either is fine. Both will happen.