I Answered These 15 Questions To Know More About Myself
Now it’s your turn
Lo, for I to myself am unknown, now in God’s name what must I do? - Rumi “Unknowing”
This morning when I checked Medium, my friend Aurora Eliam, CMP’s 15 questions that will open your mind story on ILLUMINATION stood out for me. I’ve been asking myself these questions, in one form or the other for many years but never penned the answers, let alone share with anyone.
Thank you, Aurora, for writing that article which allowed me to document my answers.
Here are my answers to those 15 questions.
1.What’s something that nobody could ever steal from you?
My self-awareness, passion for helping others, and belief.
“Without self-awareness we are as babies in the cradles.” — Virginia Woolf
2.Who would you like to forgive right now?
Myself! Forgiving myself will bring inner peace, which will help me forgive others.
3.What is happiness?
Waking up in the morning, next to my beloved wife and son, knowing we are healthy, we’ve a roof on top of our heads, and food in the fridge.
Lying on the ground, touching the grass with my hands, looking at the sky.
Helping a total stranger.
“A table, a chair, a bowl of fruit and a violin; what else does a man need to be happy?” — Albert Einstein
4.What impact do you want to leave on the people you love?
I want to be with them for as long as they breath; my body may leave this world, but I’ll live with them through their kindness, humility, smiles, and love!
5.What is life too short to tolerate?
Hatred. Enough said.
6.What’s something that used to scare you, but doesn’t anymore?
Pain of losing someone I love!
I’m also not afraid of death anymore.
I have no fear of losing my life — if I have to save a koala or a crocodile or a kangaroo or a snake, mate, I will save it. — Steve Irwin
7.What do you want to remember forever?
“Son, this world is temporary, we come, and we go. My father loved me, just like I love you, but he had to leave. So, you’d need to let me go too: this is the circle of life.” My father’s words for me, a few months before he died.
That hard-earned-smile on my wife’s face after she gave birth to my son.
The unconditional-true-love in my mother’s eyes when she meets me after a year or so.
8.What do you always look forward to?
Laughing with my family. Meeting a stranger. Reading. And writing.
I am looking forward to getting to do things I have never done before. — Tony Danza
9.What do you appreciate the most about your life?
My family. And the suffering I went through to be the better man I’m today.
“There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self.” ― Ernest Hemingway
10.What recently reminded you of how time flies?
In a month or two, my son’s turning 4. It feels like yesterday when we brought him home from the hospital!
11.What’s something that everyone should be able to say before they die?
I love you. I have lived fully, and now it’s time to bid farewell.
The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time. — Mark Twain
12.In one sentence, who are you?
A harmless, humorous, humble human, consumed by love and wanderlust.
13.What’s the number one life change that you need to make in the next six months?
Working from home has been amazing. Once the lockdown is over, for my next job, I’d like to work from home 1 day/week and work 4 days/week only. I want to spend more time with my family. And write more.
14. What would you do differently if you knew no one would judge you?
Write more and more. Walk out of the meetings and gatherings which instil self-doubt in me.
15.In one word, what do you live for?
LOVE.
Salam writes about love, suffering, humor, agile, and leadership.