Wednesday, March 31, 2010

It was new; now it's old

Think back to the world that your parents lived in when they were as old as you are today. For many of us, that was some time in the 1980s. What was new and exciting then, but is taken for granted today? What new developments alarmed and confused people back then, but have become accepted and understood in the intervening years?

What were some of the new things that your parents struggled with at the time? And how do those things look from today's perspective?

This week's theme is one generation ago.

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Different times, different opportunities

Think back to what the world was like when your parents were as old as you are today. What are some of the advantages that you have today, compared to your parents at the same age? Conversely, what might have been easier for them, compared to the challenges you face today?

On the whole, do you think your situation is better today, or did your parents have a better life back when they were this age?

This week's theme is one generation ago.

Monday, March 29, 2010

One generation ago

How old are you? Where were your parents, and what were they doing, when they were the age that you are today?

What were the main hopes and concerns in their lives back then? Did they face basically the same issues that you face today — or has your life taken a completely different path from theirs?

This week's theme is one generation ago.

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Tell us a story: Across great distances

What is the farthest distance you've traveled to see someone you love? Who was it? What happened? Was it worth the trip?

Just for fun: The Proclaimers singing "500 Miles" (YouTube)

Saturday, March 27, 2010

The missing ingredient

It's a metaphor: Imagine that you are a master chef creating the delicious concoction that is your life. What ingredient do you need more of in your life, in order to make it a richer, smoother, and tastier experience?

Friday, March 26, 2010

Attention, shoppers!

If you had a free day and $2000 that you were required to spend on yourself, which store would you go to first?

This week's theme is "what if...?"

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Thou shalt not be evil

If you were going to start your own religion, what would be its fundamental principles and central beliefs?

This week's theme is "what if...?"

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Think different

If you could upgrade your own brain like a computer, which would be a bigger help: more memory, or a faster thought processor? If you could add one premium package of software to gain a special skill, what might that software be called?

This week's theme is "what if...?"

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Safe home

Suppose you somehow found yourself living on another Earth, in an alternate reality with one crucial difference: there is no crime on this planet. What difference would that make in your everyday thoughts and experiences?

This week's theme is "what if...?"

Monday, March 22, 2010

What if...?

Imagine a time traveler drops by and asks you to pick one historical event that you would want to witness firsthand. You may only watch from the background; you will not be allowed to interrupt or change the course of history. What event would you pick?

This week's theme is "what if...?"

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Tell us a story: Stuck

Where and when did it happen, when you literally got stuck in the mud?

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Improving your game

Are you winning at the game of life? What does it mean to win at life?

Suppose that you got a personal coach or trainer to help you improve your score in the game of life. What is the first bit of advice that your new coach would most likely give you?

Friday, March 19, 2010

Your secret dream

What is one thing you hope you'll be able to do someday (it could be realistic or a pipe dream, serious or frivolous) — something that you've told very few people about?

This week's theme is what people don't know about you.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Not a skeleton, but...

What unusual item is stowed away in your closet (or somewhere else at home) — something that most of your friends would not expect you to have?

This week's theme is what people don't know about you.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

The first time

Does your current partner know the story of your first sexual experience?

This week's theme is what people don't know about you.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

The "Future Astronauts Club"

What is something that was a familiar part of your childhood, but that is no longer part of your life — something that your friends today would never guess about you?

This week's theme is what people don't know about you.

Monday, March 15, 2010

What people don't know about you

This week we'll be asking about the things about yourself and your life that never get to be in the spotlight, the parts of your story that remain hidden. And we're not looking for deep, dark secrets or embarrassing confessions — just the ordinary things that, for one reason or another, get left out of your social identity.

What is one of your hobbies, interests, or activities that very few of your friends and acquaintances know about?

This week's theme is what people don't know about you.

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Tell us a story: Strangely enough, we met when...

What was one unlikely situation where you made a new friend?

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Second chance

What is something that you had a chance to do over — and you did it better the second time?

Friday, March 12, 2010

Bon-bons and monster movies

What are some things you do exclusively when you're sick — things you could do at other times, but don't?

This week's theme is being sick.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

You don't look well...

When you're sick, do you relax and enjoy it — reveling in being in pajamas all day and letting your hair get dirty -- or do you try to keep up with your normal grooming routine, defying the illness by at least trying to look like a healthy person?

This week's theme is being sick.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Sick day

Have you ever taken a sick day off from work when you weren't really sick? When was the last time you did that? How often do you do that?

This week's theme is being sick.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Dr. Jekyll or Patient Hyde?

When you're sick, are you a good patient, or do you make life difficult for the people around you? Are you more comfortable taking care of yourself, or do you like to have someone bring you soup, take your temperature, check in on you, etc.?

This week's theme is being sick.

Monday, March 8, 2010

Being sick

Being sick often involves more than physical complaints. As adults, finding ourselves physically compromised or limited can bring back some of the less pleasant memories of being a small child.

When were you last sick? Was it serious enough that you can remember exactly when, and for how long, and what your illness was? Or are you so infrequently sick, and with only such minor illnesses, that you can only guesstimate your last bout of something-or-other?

This week's theme is being sick.

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Tell us a story: It's a family tradition

What is one special thing that your family does (or did) every year at the same time?

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Your best

Which friends and family members are the best at encouraging you to be your best?

Friday, March 5, 2010

Thank you, coffeemaker

Imagine, just for a moment, that ordinary objects, tools, and things had souls and feelings. Which things would you most want to thank for their reliable assistance, for their loyalty, for how much they enrich your everyday life?

This week's theme is gratitude.

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Grateful from afar

Who is someone you'd love to thank for all that they've done — but you don't expect you'll ever have an appropriate opportunity to say it?

This week's theme is gratitude.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

That's what friends are for

What is one time when it definitely paid off for you to have the right friends? What friends went beyond the call of duty and helped you out in a big way when you really needed it?

This week's theme is gratitude.

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

You accidentally made my day

Who indirectly or unwittingly contributed to the joy in your life?

Who introduced you to something that you now enjoy a lot? Who first introduced you to your significant other? Who stepped out of the way just in time to open up a great opportunity for you?

This week's theme is gratitude.

Monday, March 1, 2010

Thank you for being there

Who deserves your gratitude for helping you at a critical time?

Who helped you out of a jam? Who talked you out of a foolish mistake? Who found and returned something important that you had lost?

Do these people realize how much of a difference they made for you?

This week's theme is gratitude.