Yesterday, we needed to kill some time in the car, so I Googled a list of life’s toughest questions to ask the kids. I thought it was going to be a fun/silly game, but some of their answers really surprised me. Here is the full list of questions. Don’t forget to give us some of their words of wisdom in the comments section.
- How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?
Samuel: 29
Aram: 107
- Which is worse, failing or never trying?
Samuel: Never Trying
Aram: Um…yeah!
- If life is so short, why do we do so many things we don’t like and like so many things we don’t do?
Samuel: Because we can’t always think about ourselves. Sometimes we have to do things for other people, too.
Aram… I think …what Samuel said.
- When it’s all said and done, will you have said more than you’ve done?
Samuel: I don’t understand the question.
Aram: I will be done with what I said.
- What is the one thing you’d most like to change about the world?
Samuel: I want all the people in the world to be happy and get everything they need.
Aram: That kids can eat candy every day.
- If happiness was the national currency, what kind of work would make you rich?
Samuel: Skydiving
Aram: Paleontology
- Are you doing what you believe in, or are you settling for what you are doing?
Samuel: Doing what I believe in.
Aram: I only settle for what I believe in. Mommy, does that makes sense?
- To what degree have you actually controlled the course your life has taken?
Samuel: Pretty much not at all.
Me: Why?
Samuel: Because I’m just a kid.
Me: Do you think when you’re a grown-up you’ll be able to control your life?
Samuel: Actually, no…
- Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things?
Aram: Oh this is an easy one! Doing things right!
Samuel: Wait, what is the difference?
Aram: Samuel… you know like doing things right is when you do something good and doing the right things is when people want you to act proper because it is the right thing to do…oh…wait…maybe that is doing the right things…Mommy…I’m confused.
Me: Now I am, too.
- You’re having lunch with three people you respect and admire. They all start criticizing a close friend of yours, not knowing she is your friend. The criticism is distasteful and unjustified. What do you do?
Samuel: I tell them that they are rubbish!
Aram: I’ll tell them to knock it off.
- If you could offer a newborn child only one piece of advice, what would it be?
Samuel: Don’t talk to strangers.
Aram: Go with life.
- Would you break the law to save a loved one?
Aram: Uh…YEAH!
Samuel: Mommy I’d go through red lights and speed to get you to the hospital.
- What’s something you know you do differently than most people?
Samuel: I don’t have an off button.
Aram: My cool moves.
- How come the things that make you happy don’t make everyone happy?
Aram: Because they don’t like cool things.
Samuel: No, Aram… (laughing) It’s because everyone likes different things. And sometimes maybe people are scared…Like skydiving.
- What one thing have you not done that you really want to do? What’s holding you back?
Samuel: Skydiving- I’m too little.
Aram: Climbing up to the top of that tower (points)– I can’t climb up poles.
- If you had to move to a state or country besides the one you currently live in, where would you move and why?
Aram: Botswana- because it’s good to try new things.
Samuel: Arizona because it’s always hot there and I like to go swimming…actually… can I change mine to Hawaii?
- Do you push the elevator button more than once? Do you really believe it makes the elevator faster?
Aram: Yes! – Um…no.
Samuel: Yes I do!…No, why does everyone do that? It’s like it feel like it is going to go faster when you push it a lot.
- Why are you, you?
Aram: Because I was born that way.
Samuel: It’s just part of nature.
- Which is worse, when a good friend moves away, or losing touch with a good friend who lives right near you?
Samuel: When a good friend moves away. Sometimes people move on emotionally…
Aram: Yeah, but if they move away we can visit them.
- Would you rather lose all of your old memories, or never be able to make new ones?
Aram: Lose all of my old memories. I’m only like 5… So I have over 100 years of memories to make.
Samuel: You’re going to live to 100?
Aram: No, probably 107.
Samuel: Yeah lose all of your old memories.
- Is is possible to know the truth without challenging it first?
Samuel: Yes.
Aram: Yep.
- Why do religions that support love cause so many wars?
Aram: Because they want to kill God.
Samuel: Why would they want to kill God? You mean other people’s gods?
Aram: Yeah, but there is only one God.
Samuel: Oh, so people are really killing their God, too?
Aram: Um…yes.
- If you just won a million dollars, would you quit your job?
Aram: No. Samuel: No, why would you do that?
Me: You don’t have to work for money anymore, so maybe you could go out and buy things and experiences?
Samuel: Yeah, but what happens when that is done? You need to work for something.
- What is the difference between being alive and truly living?
Samuel: Truly living is like doing stuff you love. Being alive is like laying around and not doing anything.
Aram: Umm like when you walk around and you have a great smile.
Me: So when you’re happy?
Aram: Yeah!
- At what time in your recent past have you felt most passionate and alive?
Samuel: I always feel passionate and alive.
Aram: Yeah! Me, too!
