March 14, 2025 - "Sometimes the Questions are Complicated and the Answers are Simple!"

The Dr. Seuss Quote for today is -"Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple!" In many aspects of life we do often "complicate" things when they could be significantly more simple, so I'd have to agree with this saying from Dr. Seuss! But, sometimes the answers are complicated, so it is important for us to know it is okay if we are not able to answer complicated questions simply. 

For example, the way you feel about your life, the things happening to you, and right now in our country, the question may be complicated and you may or may not have a simple answer. But, if you feel like your answers are not "simple", please keep these ideas in mind for how to answer complicated questions -

• Express Gratitude. Thank the person for asking you the question: “This is a great question. Thanks for asking. It is  important to consider ‘X’.” 
• Repeat the Question. By repeating the question and asking for clarification, you gain time to prepare a thoughtful answer:  “When you say you’d like to know about ‘X’, would you like me to focus on ‘Y’ or ‘Z’?”  
• Share an Example. When asked for an opinion on strategy, for example, tell a brief story about how you handled a similar situation. 
• Offer a Bridge. Steer the conversation in a different direction  with a bridging statement: “I cannot speak to X, but what I can say is Y.” Or “While X is important, it is also important to consider Y.” 
• Answer Later. Respond after you have the information: “Let me do some research and get back to you,” or “I’d like to check with a few colleagues, and I will touch base with you by Friday. Does this work?”

I found these at the following link and while they may be written for answering work/business questions, the principles apply to answering any questions - simple or complicated. Now there may be times when these "answers" are helpful, and there may be times when they are not. It is okay for you to simply tell someone you don't want to answer their questions, because how you feel matters.

Once again today I want to send you my virtual "hug" - You matter. You deserve to be loved and are loved - I love you! You make our world a better place - we need you in this world. I hope you have people around you who tell you these things, but if not, please let me be someone who does. Yes, I say this every day, but these words are true and will always be so. You will find the video at this link.