Proust’s Questionnaire (Finally completed 10/12/2020)

Proust’s Questionnaire

1. What is your idea of perfect happiness? “”We are healed of a suffering only by experiencing it to the full.” –Proust. Well, that is no answer to happiness. Unless, perhaps, happiness arrives once we clear away the pain. In a physical sense, utter happiness would be found in a log cabin, tucked deep in a forest, with water and mountain views. In an emotional and spiritual sense it would be me curled up with someone who would love to share their mind. A moment of sheer bliss imagining such a place and time. The magic is that it could and just might happen!
2. What is your greatest fear? “He sat there silent, watching their love expire.” –Proust.  I truly believe a soul that resembles mine exists. I think I found that soul. I know I have found that soul. I also realize my greatest fear, of never being able to seal our souls as one, also exists. And I sit silent, waiting for a day to come, to prove me wrong.
3. What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?  “We are all of us obliged, if we are to make reality endurable, to nurse a few little follies in ourselves.” –Proust
4. What is the trait you most deplore in others? “We are all of us obliged, if we are to make reality endurable, to nurse a few little follies in ourselves.” –Proust
5. Which living person do you most admire? None at present. No one comes to mind.
6. What is your greatest extravagance? To spend time on the ocean waves, rolling into the deep.
7. What is your current state of mind? Pondering. Not because of this questionnaire. But rather realizing how close to the end I have dared. And how I have wandered into the desert as well as exited the grief ensued.
8. What do you consider the most overrated virtue? Love. It never completes the task.
9. On what occasion do you lie? Whenever possible, to avoid knowing myself. The kindest surface is a polished mirror.
10. What do you most dislike about your appearance? My frown. I rarely wear it.
11. Which living person do you most despise? Politicians and their supporters. The only person worth honoring are those with hands that heal and silent tongues.
12. What is the quality you most like in a man? Vulnerability. Optimism.
13. What is the quality you most like in a woman? Optimism. Courage.
14. Which words or phrases do you most overuse? Hmm… I wish I knew more answers.
15. What or who is the greatest love of your life? The people who bare all and trust me.
16. When and where were you happiest? As a child, daydreaming in the grassy fields. Or in my bedroom, under a blanket tent.
17. Which talent would you most like to have? To not give a damn.
18. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? To speak up without worry.
19. What do you consider your greatest achievement? I pursued my passions late in life!
20. If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be? Dancer.
21. Where would you most like to live? Near a body of expansive water.
22. What is your most treasured possession? My seashore finds.
23. What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery? Trying to recall my brother when we were young. He is gone and I miss him everyday.
24. What is your favorite occupation? Mindfulness Coach and Expressive Artist.
25. What is your most marked characteristic? Selfless.
26. What do you most value in your friends? Honesty and closeness.
27. Who are your favorite writers? Wally Lamb. Patrick McGrath. Fellow WP bloggers.
28. Who is your hero of fiction? The man who never doubts.
29. Which historical figure do you most identify with? Joan of Arc.
30. Who are your heroes in real life? Anyone who takes a chance.
31. What are your favorite names? Raina. Eli. Two children never born. They live on in my heart.
32. What is it that you most dislike? Life. It is completely unfair.
33. What is your greatest regret? My crushed dreams of dancing because my mom refused to pay for lessons or drive me to practice.
34. How would you like to die? In my sleep. Unaware of the sorrow left behind. My three children forever on my mind.
35. What is your motto? Church is poetry. Poetry is life. A life well lived.

Now your turn! Consider Proust’s questions and answer honestly in a blog post, linked to my post. Or comment below. Getting to know you is time well spent. Cheers 🥂!