One Simple Question

I have a proposal for everyone who is reading this. I read about this a while ago and thought it was the best challenge to take out into the real world, a challenge to bring a shift in our consciousness. 

How many times a day do we come in contact with a new person and ask them the same, old, monotonous question: What do you do?

Am I right? You meet someone, you ask their name, and then the inevitable question of what the person does for a living arises. It is almost impossible to avoid. And do we actually care when we ask this question? For the most part, NO. It's like we are set on autopilot or reading a script whenever we meet a person and have to interact with them. The interaction is just as bland for the person being questioned as well. They are always ready to blurt out their life story about their job, what they are in school for, and how they like it. 

But where is the sincerity in these conversations? Where is the true love and interest in one another's lives? There is nothing but a regurgitation of words and a list of topics to cross off. 

That is why I propose a challenge to change what we say when we come in contact with others. Instead of asking "What do you do?", ask this instead:

•  "WHY do you do what you do?"
• Oh Boy, will this will throw the person for a loop when they hear it. It will make them stop and ponder for a minute, even get choked up with how to answer. Why DO I do what I do? What has driven me to continue down the life path I am currently on? You will learn so much more about them when they answer. You will discover their outlooks on life, their motives, and even the activities they participate in that make them feel truly alive or vibrant. When you ask this question there will definitely be a shift in awareness on both ends. This will lead to a bunch of different areas of conversation, revealing all their thoughts, emotions, concerns, and interests. You will actually be able to CONNECT with each other. 

I have seen far too much autopilot, machine like people walking around. I too am guilty of this contagious style of interaction with people. We get so caught up in our own little worlds that we don't take the time to be thoughtful while speaking with others. So let's change this!

Let us be conscious in every interaction we have. Let us look into someone's eyes and give them our complete attention because it is EXTREMELY apparent when we are just running through the checklist of things to say and ask. There is a huge difference between asking and caring. 

Let us be human. Let us feel the energetic connection between one another as we converse. Let us be present, aware, and mindful. Let us be REAL.