"50 Questions That Will Free Your Mind"

I thought these were very interesting.  I'm not expecting any special "mind-freeing" or anything as a result of answering them, but it should be interesting to see what my answers are.  You can find them here.

1. How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?
   That really depends on the day and the time of day.  But I do think I feel younger than I actually am.  And most of the time, I think I act younger.  Not sure if that's a good or a bad thing.
2. Which is worse, failing or never trying?
   Never trying, absolutely.
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?
   Society dictates that we do certain things.  Responsibility is important, and we obviously can't do "fun" things all the time.  I prefer to find something to enjoy about every task I have, that way I AM actually doing something I like.
4. When it’s all said and done, will you have said more than you’ve done?
   I think that's true of everyone.  We all say more than we actually do.  That's just the way humans are.
5. What is the one thing you’d most like to change about the world?
   I would eliminate hatred.
6. If happiness was the national currency, what kind of work would make you rich?
   My dream is to one day open a children's theatre in an area where unprivileged children can have easy access.  I would love to create an educational program using theatre to teach kids all sorts of character-building lessons as well as marketable skills like public speaking, carpentry, sewing, painting, and other skills you use in theatre that can be used in the real world.
7. Are you doing what you believe in, or are you settling for what you are doing?
   I believe in doing a good job, in giving 110% no matter what.  So yes, I'm doing what I believe in.  
8. If the average human life span was 40 years, how would you live your life differently?
   I don't think I would live differently.  I may have started my family sooner, but otherwise, I'm pretty happy with the way I live my life.
9. To what degree have you actually controlled the course your life has taken?
   For the most part, I've been able to make the decisions that control my life.  Some have been good and some have been bad, but they have all been mine.
10. Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things?
    Doing the right things, absolutely.  I always try to do what's right.
11. You’re having lunch with three people you respect and admire.  They all start criticizing a close friend of yours, not knowing she is your friend.  The criticism is distasteful and unjustified.  What do you do?
    Defend her.  They may not know her very well and need to be informed about the quality of her character.
12. If you could offer a newborn child only one piece of advice, what would it be?
    Live with passion and compassion.  If you truly do this, you will have a wonderful life.
13. Would you break the law to save a loved one?
    Yes.  Without hesitation.
14. Have you ever seen insanity where you later saw creativity?
    Usually I try not to jump to "insanity."  So many creative people are initially misunderstood, so I try not to do that.
15. What’s something you know you do differently than most people?
    I like to think I think differently than most people.  But that may not be true.
16. How come the things that make you happy don’t make everyone happy?
    Because people are individuals and different things make us happy.  It's what makes us interesting and unique.
17. What one thing have you not done that you really want to do?  What’s holding you back?
    Self-publishing my novel.  Time is holding me back right now.  I need to edit it before sending it off.
18. Are you holding onto something you need to let go of?
    I may have some resentment left from my previous marriage.  I may be upset about the years lost because of it.  I am also holding on to some resentment toward a boss who laid me off a few years ago, because it started a very difficult time in my life. 
19. If you had to move to a state or country besides the one you currently live in, where would you move and why?
    I would love to move to Ireland.  It's so beautiful there.
20. Do you push the elevator button more than once?  Do you really believe it makes the elevator faster?
    I push once.  If I don't think I actually pushed hard enough, I push again.
21. Would you rather be a worried genius or a joyful simpleton?
    Joyful simpleton.  
22. Why are you, you?
    DNA, experiences, nature and nurture.  Everything I am and everything I have been through makes me who I am.
23. Have you been the kind of friend you want as a friend?
    Most of the time, I like to think I am the kind of friend I want to have.  I try to always think of the other person and help people as much as I can.  
24. Which is worse, when a good friend moves away, or losing touch with a good friend who lives right near you?
    Since I have been through this before and I know exactly how awful it feels, losing touch with a good friend who lives nearby is absolutely worse.  
25. What are you most grateful for?
    My family - son, husband, parents, sister, niece and nephews.
26. Would you rather lose all of your old memories, or never be able to make new ones?
    The only way to never be able to make new memories is to be dead, right?  I don't like that option!
27. Is is possible to know the truth without challenging it first?
    Sometimes you just know.  Other times you have to challenge.
28. Has your greatest fear ever come true?
    In a way, yes.  And it really wasn't that bad.
29. Do you remember that time 5 years ago when you were extremely upset?  Does it really matter now?
    Not really, but at the time it was very important, so that doesn't minimize it at all.
30. What is your happiest childhood memory?  What makes it so special?
    Christmas.  Every year, Christmas was special because my parents always made it special.
31. At what time in your recent past have you felt most passionate and alive?
    Our honeymoon.  ;)
32. If not now, then when?
    Some other time.  ;)
33. If you haven’t achieved it yet, what do you have to lose?
    Absolutely nothing.  Just a little time.
34. Have you ever been with someone, said nothing, and walked away feeling like you just had the best conversation ever?
    Nope.
35. Why do religions that support love cause so many wars?
    Because religion is a man-made institution.
36. Is it possible to know, without a doubt, what is good and what is evil?
    Yes, it's possible.  It's difficult, but possible.
37. If you just won a million dollars, would you quit your job?
    Yes.  I would travel with my husband and my son.  And probably my parents too!
38. Would you rather have less work to do, or more work you actually enjoy doing?
    More work I actually enjoy.  I don't like doing a job I don't enjoy.
39. Do you feel like you’ve lived this day a hundred times before?
    No.  Every day is different and special.
40. When was the last time you marched into the dark with only the soft glow of an idea you strongly believed in?
    Um.  Never?
41. If you knew that everyone you know was going to die tomorrow, who would you visit today?
    I would try to visit everyone I care about.  Family and friends.
42. Would you be willing to reduce your life expectancy by 10 years to become extremely attractive or famous?
    Absolutely not.  Being attractive or famous is not worth 10 years with my loved ones.
43. What is the difference between being alive and truly living?
    PASSION.
44. When is it time to stop calculating risk and rewards, and just go ahead and do what you know is right?
    When you decide it's the right thing to do.
45. If we learn from our mistakes, why are we always so afraid to make a mistake?
    Because we judge ourselves harshly when we make mistakes, and because society expects us to be completely perfect, so when we do make a mistake, it's tragic.
46. What would you do differently if you knew nobody would judge you?
    Nothing.  I don't worry about how people judge me.
47. When was the last time you noticed the sound of your own breathing?
    Almost all the time.
48. What do you love?  Have any of your recent actions openly expressed this love?
    My family, writing, knitting, my job.  Absolutely, they have.
49. In 5 years from now, will you remember what you did yesterday?  What about the day before that?  Or the day before that?
    Maybe not the specifics, but I will remember that I had a good day and ended it with my husband and son.
50. Decisions are being made right now.  The question is:  Are you making them for yourself, or are you letting others make them for you?
    I always make my own decisions.  Now that I'm married, I always make sure I get Jon's input, first.