October: Rewind Recommendations

At the end of each month, I hope to share recommendations of books, podcasts, and blog posts to help shape our IN PROGRESS lives. I don't know if the recommendations will always have a thread that pulls them together, but this month's list certainly does; it centers around questions. I've always loved a good question. Questions can steer us through tough times, help us to dig deeper into our understanding, and create conversations that will bubble with us for days. For me, life is often more full of questions than answers so it isn't a surprise that this month these pieces resonated. 

🎧 On Being: Foundations 2, Living the Questions with Krista Tippett

Krista reminds: "It is a deep truth in science, and also in each of our lives, that we are shaped as much by the quality of the questions we’re asking at any given point as by the answers we have it in us to give." This podcast brought me pause. I've spent much time since, thinking about the best questions as I move forward. I think you'll find the invitation useful no matter your season of life. How might a "generous question" (Tippett) guide you?

🎧 Women in the Middle with Suzy Rosenstein: What You'll Learn About Fun, Fear, Creativity and Midlife Change with Comedian Katie Goodman 

Rosenstein is on par with Tippett when she inserts, "Ask a better question (about 15:00 in podcast)." It's so true. It's easy to be led in life by a question that sets us up for defeat or doesn't lift us. This is an interesting conversation about how we find our way forward and the questions we let guide us. 

🔖 The Marginalian: 16 Life Learnings from 16 Years of the Marginalian by Maria Popova

Maria's post was a delight to read. Full of wisdom, each new point gave me so much to consider. What does one learn in a day, a week, a year, a lifetime? It made me ask the question, "At this point in my life, what have I learned?" That feels slightly different than the question: "What do I know for sure?" Can we really know anything for sure? I think you'll enjoy the read and, maybe, you'll find yourself asking what you have learned so far. 

What are the questions you're asking yourself right now? Is there a way to make your guiding question better? Are they questions that help your in-progress life?