This past week I had the wonderful opportunity to sit and listen to my 12 year old daughter present a student self evaluation at her school. She attends a wonderful experiential, private school that is geared towards developing her character, her intellect and her creativity. (Foothills School of the Arts and Science) This school uses an inquiry based curriculum in which they promote the idea that asking questions is a powerful way to learn.
I have spent a far amount of my life asking questions. To some of my close friends, they will chuckle reading this, as often I will start my sentences with, “I have a question….” However, I have found questions to be a wonderful vehicle to help me explore ideas, themes, emotions, thoughts, and spiritual perspectives from a place of playfulness and introspection.
Seeing that my 12 year old has developed this in all areas of her learning has been such a gift. She is articulate, intelligent and very perceptive because of her educational process of asking questions.
I can’t help that I ask a lot of questions, and I can’t help addressing questions to some of my clients. I don’t have the answers, only that I know the question itself is a tool to deepen awareness. If I don’t get attached to finding an answer, I find more information is discovered and this is very compelling to me. Questions motivate me to get clear about what it is that I know, what it is that I want to say, and what it is that I don’t know!
The question itself often pushes me to find an answer, but more often it moves me in a direction which inspires me. I love to dig deeper and I like to ask others to help me shine more insight into what it is that I am playing with.
One thing my daughter shared in her conference was that the reason she likes to ask questions is that there are no right answers. And in dialoguing with her classmates, she not only hears her own thoughts, but the thoughts of others. This expands her own understanding and she feels even more interested by the topic at hand. What a wonderful way to engage in the educational process.
In Math, there are right and wrong answers, but in the deep questions about life itself – our answers are just as unique as we are. While we need some consistent rules and laws about life, I think that we also need mystery, contemplation and exploration just as much.
I am delighted that my daughter knows it is okay to ask questions. At her young fresh age she feels inspired and engaged in her world. I hope that we all follow the lead of being inquisitive, and allow ourselves to continue asking OUR most important questions, whatever they may be.
Sandra Wood is founder and owner of Inner Path Coaching, LLC. She coaches individuals who are struggling with relationships and career and want a balanced and empowered life.
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