Your Must Question

When an accident becomes a directive

Sometimes a happy accident appears in your day that sets thoughts and motions in different directions. If you’re paying attention.

I was scrolling through my email when the subject line, “Your must question,” caught my attention. “Your must question.”

At least, that’s what I thought it said. Looking more closely, it was actually “You must question.” Ah, that made sense. It was a directive from Ryan Holiday in a discussion about how, based on Stoic philosophy, it’s important to continually question ourselves and the world. It’s the way we grow, learn, pivot, and change. Couldn’t agree more.

But I kept thinking about the other, what I thought it was. Your must question. That little happy accident lit me up! It got me thinking about passion, purpose, and soul work, dedication, devotion, and commitment.

Photo by Evan Dennis on Unsplash

Must. What must I do? It feels driven. A definition for the word that resonates in this context is “an imperative need or duty.” A “requirement.”

What must I do? It’s a what-drives-you-what-pulls-you question. Deep. A heart-pull. A gut-push.

What must you do? What drives you?

This is a deep must. Not a guilt-ridden, fear-based “have to” or “should.” This deep Must is a calling. It’s intentional. And it’s unavoidable.

If you’re listening. Paying attention.

Your "Must" question seeks both a pause and an immediate response.

Ask it. Pause and breathe into it. Trust the response.

If your deep Must is your calling, purpose, or big why, it becomes a daily directive. The questions lead to powerful statements and affirmations.

Prompts for your journal and thoughts

What must I receive, or do, or ask for today that —

Accelerates me on my purposeful path?

Serves my family and/or community?

Serves my health?

Nurtures my relationships?

Fulfills a lifelong dream?

They can lead to powerfully intentional directives:

I must create. I must have balance. I must connect and share with others, and with myself. I must refuel by quieting, with time for thought. I must say yes to more of life’s offers.

Must elevates “can” or “want” or “will.” The intentional Must has fuel. It’s a great inquiry at a crossroads in life. At any crossroads.

Your must questions, asked and pondered often, can be transformative.

Keep asking.

Something to think about.

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I write about creativity, life’s curiosities, and metaphorical lessons. If you find value or comfort in my words, I invite you to subscribe.