#3: Questions
Because our answers mirror our questions
(This post was originally shared in my love/news-letter, Our Common Future)
Question (noun): a sentence worded or expressed so as to elicit information / a matter requiring resolution or discussion.
Questions are powerful things. Questions elicit answers in their likeness. A generous and open question is hard to resist. I have been watching recently as these generous and open questions inspire reflection, honesty and revelation, even in the challenging circumstances we all face.
This year I have the privilege of hosting a six month learning journey for creatives and change makers living and working in Sheffield, we’re called The Sheffield Pioneers. As part of this process, designed by my friends at Enrol Yourself, each participant is guided by a ‘learning question’, a north star inquiry that shapes their journey. My question is ‘Who do I choose to be?’ 😬
As I expand this enquiry, here are a handful of the additional questions that feel most alive for me today — How might our future be more life affirming if women held the majority of the power? 🔌 How might those women lead differently if they spent more time with their toes in the soil and wind in their hair? 🏔 How might my life be different if I spent more time with my toes in the soil and wind in my hair? 🌳
It feels strange to share those, but the line between a ‘real thing’ and an idea is putting it out into the world, right?
What questions are you holding today? How generous and open are those questions?
I’d love to hear from you.
With love, curiousity, and in community,
Stella 🌟
Recently I have been inspired by:
- Last year I joined a series of calls with This Human Moment — a beautifully curated toolkit for sensing into the then unfolding pandemic and beyond. Two gifts stayed with me this animated poem by David Whyte and a resourse on asking beautiful questions. One I have turned to for inspiration in coaching calls, journalling moments and over dinner with friends.
- A few months ago the effervescent Kate Weiler generously offered to convene an Action Learning Set for freelancers (through the epic Slack group Freelancers Get Sh*t Done — if you fit this description you should join, huge thanks to Iona for convening us) We have shared two sessions now, and I have been amazed by the quality and depth of questions the group asked each other, the right question is like acupuncture for a problem.
- This week I finally listened to Priya Parker on Brené Brown — Priya is a master facilitator and author of The Art Of Gathering. These two powerhouse women lead a masterclass on muddling through the challenges we all face as we return to gathering and how we use our creativity to figure it out. Relevant if you are ever with two or more other people with a purpose and a beginning, middle and end (Priya’s definition of a ‘gathering’) — I’m pretty sure that’s all of us.
- And finally, if you’re looking to be reminded of all our humanity and the power of love look no further than Supernova. Colin Firth and Stanley Tucci navigate the devastation of dementia in this heartwarming (and equally heart wrenching) love story. I laughed and cried and for a moment forget about what a mess the world is and it was wonderful 💗
& I have been reading:
Show Your Work — Austin Kleon — the book that played midwife to this newsletter, recommended reading for anyone who has a niggling feeling they could be doing more, being more. It’s full of punchy advice and pleasing graphics, all of which will help you get your a*se into gear. 💥
Losing Eden — Why Our Minds Need the Wild — Lucy Jones — I have the immense privilege of being a Bio-Leadership Fellow this year. As I journey into an exploration on how we can change the story of leadership by working with nature, I picked up this book that had been sitting on my unread shelf for a good few months. Lucy sets out the scientific literature to support our intuitive and anecdotal understanding that nature has a positive effect on human mental health. One for anyone who has felt their shoulder drop when sitting under a tree, padding in the sea or watching a beautiful sunset. 🌅
New perspectives from: Instagram 🌍
Written with gratitude for Writers Hour, 60 minute virtual writing sprints held four times a day, for free! Write anything for an hour, in the company of 200+ others — much needed gentle accountability ✨ and the ‘production team’ at Bio-Leadershipfor convening the community I didn’t know I needed until now. 🐛🦋
