Writing my way through the A-to-Z blogging challenge, I’ve tasked myself with leading you on a meandering tour of the virtual garden of delights and curiosities and thoughts that make up my world – all through the lens of unusual, obscure, or simply charming-to-me words.
Q is for…
quaere: query (archaic; first known use 1589)
I am by nature a curious person. My days are filled with questions. But even deeper than that, I think my life is filled with intentional queries.
A dictionary definition of query might include:
“a question, especially one addressed to an official or organization; to ask a question about something, especially in order to express one’s doubts about it or to check its validity or accuracy.”
I like to think I’m in deep connection with my soul, in frequent conversation – and I tend to think of those interactions as queries. I don’t exactly subscribe to the dictionary’s definition – I’m not asking an official or organization, and I certainly don’t think of my soul as separate from myself. Nor am I asking something because I have doubts or want verification. But I do think of queries as an intentional opportunity to turn within and listen to my heart.
I have a number of queries that are frequent touchpoints. Sometimes I’ll journal them. Sometimes I carry them lightly; sometimes I hold them deeply.
Because Q is the 17th letter in our alphabet, and our guest star today, I’m listing seventeen queries.
- Who am I becoming?
- How can I scatter joy?
- How much can I open to receive the magic coming to me now?
- Is my hair being pulled by the stars again? (tip of the hat to Anais Nin)
- What light am I holding deep in my roots? (appreciation to Roethke)
- What can I water my dreams with?
- Does anyone really know what time it is? (thank you Chicago)
- Where can I risk delight?
- How can I live so my presence here is an out-going love letter?
- What path do I want to follow?
- What do I want to be looking at in a new way?
- What do I need to say three times to be understood – once for each ear and once for the heart? (with gratitude to Mark Nepo)
- What am I intentionally inviting into my space?
- What are the values that I uphold?
- How can I navigate the inner and the outer aligned with who I am and how I wish to show up?
- How beautifully autumn leaves grow old – how full of light and color their last days are. How can I be like that? (thank you John Burroughs)
- How can my life be the poem I wish to write?
What questions do you ask? What are you curious about? What Q thing is delighting you? Do tell – you know I love to hear.
I often find myself asking myself: what is really going on here? It’s easy to take a cursory look at a situation or another person’s behavior and make assumptions. I try to delve deeper into what I see in front of me, processing it so that I might understand better. I like to understand, you see.
That’s a perfect question! And I can see how well it suits you.
What do I want out of my life? What do I keep and what do I discard, not only objects but also memories and feelings? What will help me enjoy this day?
Excellent questions Margaret. I expect many of us are asking those right now.
Great questions. I’m going to keep them for my journaling. Thanks!
Journaling can be a wonderful way to explore in depth, and give you something to return to again and again.
Hari OM
…and in the end, does it really matter?..
8~}
YAM xx
Perhaps it doesn’t. Or maybe it does. 🙂
Yeah, there are endless queries going on inside us every day, every hour, and every moment. But at this moment, I am unable to quote a single one. I am glad, I discovered this wonderful blog of yours. Thanks to you. Will come back to read the missed letters too.
Thanks for visiting and for your kind words Navita. I’m glad I found your blog as well. The challenge is really such a wonderful source for new discoveries isn’t it?!
I like who you gleaned wisdom from in forming your questions. My problem is that I over-think and in the meanwhile neglect being present in a moment.
I’m really enjoying your daily messages.
The finding balance between heart and mind is such a tricky thing isn’t it? I’m glad you’re enjoying these posts – I’m enjoying yours as well.
The first thing that jumps into my mind when I see the word query is querying an agent :D. However, to the deeper elements of your post, I think it is important that we continue to query ourselves, because it helps us grow. How, why, what are such important words.
Tasha 💖
Virginia’s Parlour – The Manor (Adult concepts – nothing explicit in posts)
Tasha’s Thinkings – Vampire Drabbles
LOL – a not surprising association Tasha! And yes, I agree – we must turn again and again to the questions.
An answer I found while reading your list Deborah: Yes, I’ll have to read that list again and again–for it holds magic to send me on many delightful queries.
It’s interesting when we turn to queries again and again and recognize how we can both be the same and different over time. We are strange and wonderful beings and seekers all of us.
The definition of query you’re using is pretty much exactly the Quaker definition: a question used to prompt prayerful consideration of how the Spirit is moving in our lives and how the conduct of our lives gives witness to that Spirit.
Black and White (Words and Pictures)
That’s lovely Anne – thanks for sharing that.