This morning I went to an “innovation breakfast” in Burlington, Vermont. The speaker was Warren Berger talking about his book “A More Beautiful Question” inspired by e.e. cummings. “Always the beautiful answer / who asks a more beautiful question.”
Here is the link to the author’s website: http://amorebeautifulquestion.com/
I am looking forward to diving into Warren’s book. Everything he talked about had no parameters—this is applicable to all of our relationships-kids, partners, friends, family or business. Thematically I am a sucker for far reaching messages.
The discussion was great and it confirmed something I’ve been telling my kids, mostly my 14 year old daughters a lot lately. The smartest person in the room is always the person asking the most questions. Genuine inquiry is where true connection resides. I also remind them that a few of their favorite grown-up women in the entire universe ask questions all the time. These women don’t let things hang in a conversation that they are uncertain about. They ask. They don’t worry about looking foolish, or being too personal—they are genuinely inquisitive and interested in people. These remarkable women are storytellers and have taught me so much about drawing people out and allowing people to feel safe to open up or share information.
I think this is a very good question to ponder today:
When I was a child, my father who I adored, half-teasingly scolded me frequently for asking too many questions. He often called me a “question box”. To this day, I probably still ask too many questions, but if I don’t, how will I learn what I want/need to know. The irony is that he was one of the most inquisitive, curious people I’ve even known! He didn’t *ask* about too many things, but he had a knack, and the patience, for figuring things out himself.
On Wed, Sep 24, 2014 at 11:47 AM, Lisa Lillibridge wrote:
> Lisa Lillibridge/Dakota 1966 posted: “This morning I went to an > “innovation breakfast” in Burlington, Vermont. The speaker was Warren > Berger talking about his book “A More Beautiful Question” inspired by e.e. > cummings. “Always the beautiful answer / who asks a more beautiful > question.” “
Love this Joanne. Thank you for your comments. I can’t wait to read the book and I’ll share it too.
I love this 🙂
My Dad always taught me to continually ask questions and never take something as gospel. He encouraged me to ask, to question and to figure out for myself. As a result I’ve become an ever curious adult and I’m forever grateful for his lessons. Thank you for your thoughts, I really hope your daughter grows into someone who loves the questions and is able to unpick the world creatively in order to understand it for herself. X