From the moment we become aware of our existence, we have questions about virtually everything. Why things happen, what happens, how things work, how we feel, why do we feel that way, what we want, what makes us happy, and what’s in our future are just some of the issues we wonder about.

Answers are found in many places. You find many answers in school. Another major source of information is your parents. You also get information from friends, relatives, acquaintances and strangers. Professionals and trades people are sources for specialized or technical knowledge. Your own experiences along with the experiences of others will answer many questions.

But yet, many of life’s questions go unanswered and there are situations that have no obvious explanations. Although it’s normal to want to know the answers to all the questions you may have, it’s not essential. You can live a successful and fulfilling life without having all of your questions answered.

Consider how many aspects of your life work in spite of unanswered questions. You probably don’t understand how a radio works, yet you have no aversion to listening to one. People travel in jumbo jets without fully comprehending how they can possibly get off the ground. Even the workings of a telephone, a device that’s been around for over 100 years, is understood by very few.

The exact reasons that other, non-technical laws of nature also work consistently can’t be explained scientifically. Natural laws such as cause and effect, attraction, and the power of attitude function without your understanding. However, you can still tap into their existence and utilize their power without knowing how they work.

Nevertheless, you can uncover answers to many of your questions. It will take analysis and introspection, but you can discover much about yourself. For example, understanding what makes you happy, what you want out of life, and how to become a better person is possible.

Even when you get the answers you are looking for, you may be faced with new questions. As soon as one question is answered, another one often materializes. It seems as if there are far more questions than answers. It is not your perception; questions always outnumber answers.

Your quest for answers is similar to climbing a mountain. At the base, you can’t see much around you. As you climb, your view expands. The higher you go, the more you can see. Also, as you ascend, the climb becomes steeper. Reaching the top requires lots of effort.

It’s the same with questions and answers. Each answer gets you higher on the mountain, allowing more questions to come into view. The questions also become more challenging. The more progress you make, the tougher the questions become.

Rather than becoming frustrated with new and tougher questions, welcome them as a sign of your progress. Asking the right questions can be just as important, if not more so, than the answers.

Questions motivate you to think, analyze, reflect, and understand. Most of the time you don’t need instant answers. Allow your mind to work on the question without any pressure. It will work 24 hours a day to find an answer. Often an answer will present itself when you least expect it.

You have to keep your mind open in order for it to find the answer. You will get answers you didn’t want or don’t like. Don’t rush to judgement. Let any emotions subside. Stay objective. Mull the answer over for a while as if you were an outside observer evaluating it for someone else.

Even if you pick the wrong answer it’s no big deal. You are always free to change your mind and take a different path. Life is fluid. Be willing to change and adapt as needed.

NOW AVAILABLE: “Dare to Live Without Limits,” the book. Visit www.BryanGolden.com or your bookstore. Bryan is a management consultant, motivational speaker, author, and adjunct professor. E-mail Bryan at bryan@columnist.com or write him c/o this paper. Ó 2025 Bryan Golden