My Answers For 15 Inspiring Questions

I took the shot, what about you?

My friend Salam Khan has shared his thoughts on 15 thought-provoking questions asked by Aurora Eliam, CMP and inspired me to do the same.

If you want to take a shot at it, please check out Aurora’s Article here:

There are no wrong answers.

Here are mine:

1. What’s something that nobody could ever steal from you?

The experience I gathered, the places I’ve seen, the path I’ve walked.

I’ve grown. I’ve had my ups and downs. I’ve endured pain and love alike. That’s who I am. The sum of my experiences. Many are alike. But none are the same.

2. Who would you like to forgive right now?

I don’t hold a grudge against anyone. There’s no one to forgive. None comes to mind. Not even myself. I’m at peace.

3. What is happiness?

The first ray of sunshine after a rainy day. We couldn’t value the warmth of sunshine if we never learned to miss it during heavy rain and darkened skies.

Finally embracing the person you longed for so long after months of enduring and being patient. Hugging and kissing her after you finally beat all these seemingly impossible obstacles. Like breaking your chains, escaping fate itself to live out your free will.

“Astra inclinant, sed non obligant”

“The stars incline us; they do not bind us.”

-Latin motto

4. What impact do you want to leave on the people you love?

I currently pour all my love and joy into my little daughter. I want to offer her a better life. We all make mistakes. I learned from mine. And now I want to make sure my daughter does not repeat any of them out of ignorance.

I want her to live a happy life; she shall yearn for nothing.

5. What is life too short to tolerate?

I think Salam Khan has answered this question in the best possible way. I fully agree with him here. Hatred.

Stop. Hating. Start. Loving.

6. What’s something that used to scare you, but doesn’t anymore?

A lot of things actually. Sharing my feelings. Being open. Admitting mistakes. Standing up for myself. Staying true to myself. I was a coward. An impostor.

7. What do you want to remember forever?

The pain. All the bad things. They remind me of where I came from, who I was. What I’ve been through. It helps me enjoy the here and now even more.

8. What do you always look forward to?

Visiting my parents back in Germany together with their granddaughter, who they so far only have seen on photos and via skype.

I know how people always say “love your parents before it’s too late. Because one day it might suddenly be over”, and that frightens me because I do want them all to meet before that time comes. They deserve to meet their beautiful little granddaughter. Unfortunately, that’s not cheap. But I’ll make it work. One day. I just hope I won’t miss the chance.

9. What do you appreciate the most about your life?

My wife and daughter.

I never felt ready for kids. I was turning 28 and still finding excuses. My wife really wanted to have a child. Then I realized my co-workers, who were just as childish as me, already had 2 or 3 kids and were good, respectable fathers. They’d goof around at work like they’re 17, but they’d move heaven and hell to make sure their kids are healthy and happy.

That’s when I realized I’ve already been waiting for too long. That moment I waited for. That moment in which I’d say “Okay, now I’m adult, now I can become a father and take on the responsibilities.”

You don’t become ready. It’s like a huge pair of shoes. You have to grow into them as you walk. So far, it has been a fun journey. And my daughter rewards me for every second of our lives.

10. What recently reminded you of how time flies?

My daughter. Not too long ago, she was like a little worm, wrapped up in a baby blanket. Now she sits on my shoulders as we go for long walks, shares her bowl of sliced fruit with me, or chases our cat around.

11. What’s something that everyone should be able to say before they die?

I regret nothing.

12. In one sentence, who are you?

I’m the one guy nobody else wanted to be back then. Now I wouldn’t want to be anybody else. Yes, that’s two sentences. Sue me :)

13. What’s the number one life change that you need to make in the next six months?

I think I already made all the necessary changes over the past months. Now I just need to stick with it. If I fall down, get back up. Write more, write better.

If I do a good enough job, I can provide a better life for my daughter and get to spend much more time with her than if I’d have to work 9 to 5.

14. What would you do differently if you knew no one would judge you?

I think nothing. Back then, I acted only because I knew others would judge me. I’ve come to learn that people will always judge me. And I’ll never be able to please them all.

So I stopped caring about that. Judge me, hate me, despise me. All of these are your choices. But I am who I am. And I will keep being me.

Sounds corny, right? Well, glad to admit, I’m corny. And quirky. Sometimes really silly. It’s just me.

15. In one word, what do you live for?

Again I have to agree with Salam Khan.

Love. There’s nothing more important than that.

So, this was my take on Aurora Eliam, CMP’s food for thought. Reading it is one thing, but really taking the time to put your own thoughts to paper feels like a revelation. It was fun and had me reminisce in the past a little, too.

I’d love to read how others would answer these questions. So if you do, please let me know!

Kevin is an editor and writer for the ILLUMINATION publication. Follow him on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Please, if you enjoyed this read, take a look at these!

And finally, a really short poem by my friend Salam Khan, which really got me by surprise.