As part of my Day Zero Project, I am answering "50 Questions to Free Your Mind" (Google it).   I had originally thought to do these in my personal journal, but then I thought, why not put them on my blog.  So get ready for some rambling answers.  Don't say I didn't warn you...

1. How old would you be if you didn't know how old you are?

18.  (I'm 29 really.)  In many ways I still feel like a kid (maybe that's a good thing).  I don't feel overly worked or tired.  But I also don't feel like I'm a grown-up with a grown-up life.  I'm still figuring out what i want to be when I grow up.  I was a teacher and loved it, but don't know if that's my career path.  I still want to have more kids and possibly get married.  I don't get the settled feeling that I associate with being older.  Maybe this is what being an adult feels like, but I just feel really young. 

2. Which is worse, failing or never trying?

The teacher in me is screaming "never trying." And overall, that would be my answer.  But here's the thing... I'm always scared to try.  I am a really shy person.  I have a hard time putting myself out there.  So sometimes I make excuses to myself to not try.  And I know I will end up regretting things unless I get out there.  That first step is really hard.

3. If life is so short, why do we do so many things we don't like and like so many things we don't do?

Often we have a very warped sense of priorities.  We let certain things rule our life.  I've met people so focused on their job (even though they hate it) that they miss time to relax or spend with family and friends.  I've met others who get so caught up in cleaning or having their house just perfect that they work themselves to the bone.  And it's not completely their fault.  We've been taught that perfect households and a high paying job are what we strive for.  That's just not true.  We all need to stop and take a look a how we spend our time.  What are our priorities?  Are we missing out on things?  I admit that I really need to stop sometimes and prioritize my own life. 

4. When it's all said and done, will you have said more than you've done?

Probably.  Again it's hard for me to take that first step so sometimes I talk a lot but don't act.  Currently I am really trying to reexamine my wants and needs. 

5. What is the one thing you'd most like to change about the world?

Our ability to listen.  Many of the world problems come from misunderstandings or lack of truly listening.  We need to get better at listening to other people when they talk and share instead of just thinking about what we're going to say next.  My prime example of this is American politics.  All I see and hear and read is people (I don't care what side you're on anymore) yelling at the "other side."  We don't listen and try to respond.  We don't listen and understand.  We don't listen and care.  We yell.  And yell louder if it seems like the other side isn't hearing.  Peace starts with listening...