The next chapter in my life begins, like previous ones, with the end in mind; sort of. As Covey postulates one needs to know where they want to be in order to navigate an efficient course to arrive at their preferred destination. What if one doesn’t know where they want to end up? What if one wants to meander through life one day at a time?

Years ago as part of professional development I participated in a workshop that illustrated three different types of people. Those who asked themselves one of three key questions: What if? How?  Why? Instinctively, before the lecturer gave details about each of those categories, I knew I was a ‘what if’ person. Always when faced with a challenge I ask what if?

This has been especially true when faced with a challenge to do what others indicate is something I either don’t have the talent for or something that could be harmful. An example is my present situation. Despite the odds of making a life with someone who has twice denounced me I ask, “What if this time, we make it work out? A previous decision I made regarding the purchase of a boat in a foreign third world country was, “What if this boat truly becomes a classic?” More significantly was when I asked myself, “What if I make it around the world.”

In simpler situations I ask, “What if I buy a VW bug?” What if I buy another musical instrument?” Of course, the haunting question at age 69 is “What if the stock market crashes?” Regardless of the situation though my thoughts are more concerned with the What ifs, rather than the how to do something, or the why.

Which of these questions do you frequent? Test yourself during the next week and please feel free to share your responses. Throughout your day question what you are doing or what you are going to do. For example, let’s say you are going to exercise by walking two miles. Then, see which question comes to mind:

Why are you going for a walk?  How are you going to walk?  What if you walk _____?

Question Possible Response
What are you going to do to get healthy? Go for a two mile walk.
How are you going to get healthy Walk and lift weights.
What if you do something different than on previous occasions Maybe it will be more fun.

The point is to determine what questions you ask yourself. The reason I brought this topic up is because a friend sent me a poem about how I need to love and cherish myself rather than look to another for validation. Yet, as I read each line, my brain interjects, “yea, but what if…” To see how the poem transpires see the next post entitled, “Sea of Life Part II.”