Change your Questions, Change your Life

An apprentice monk once asked his superior
whether he was allowed to
smoke while praying.

"Of course not!" answered the superior with
indignation: "How dare you ask a question
like that?"

The apprentice thought about
the reprimand and three weeks later he
approached his superior again, and
this time asked
whether he was allowed to
pray while he was smoking.

"Of course, young man. No matter what
you do, you are always allowed to pray!"

"Ask and you shall receive"
was both a promise and a warning.

Words are extremely powerful agents.
Thoughts are nothing but an endless
stream of questions and answers
in your mind.

As long as you ask the
right question you will
prosper and grow. But if you ask
too many wrong questions you will
become impoverished and ill.
Examples of wrong questions:

1. Why do I always have bad luck?
2. Why do I have so many problems?
3. Why am I so overwhelmed and confused?
4. How could I have been so stupid?
5. Why do I always lose my keys?
6. Why can't I remember?
7. How could I have eaten so much?
8. Whose fault was this?
10. How did I get into this mess?

Examples of good questions:

1. Why am I so lucky?
2. How can I use these opportunities?
3. What is the next step?
4. What can I learn from this experience?
5. Where will I leave my keys from now on?
6. How did I remember last time?
7. How can I improve my diet?
8. Who can fix it?
9. Whom can I ask for help?
10. How do I get out of this mess?

All human progress is preceded by a new question.
By improving the quality of your questions you
will ensure your progress and improve
the quality of your life.

(The story was lifted from
Matthias Schmelz's
Millionaire Maker Book)