Q&A: Why I prefer to provide food for thought

Every month, I publish an answer to a reader’s question. Here’s a transcript of my answer to a reader’s question about my decision to provide readers with food for thought.

I love reading your answers to readers’ questions, book reviews, the weekly newsletter, and more of the things you write. What is the one thing you want readers to take away from your writings?

I’ve always felt drawn to stories that provide a bit of substance. The ones who can teach you something about yourself, the way we interact with others, and with the world. Many book recommendations I’ve put on my bookshelf, have that kind of approach—they don’t just lay out the answers, the writer truly challenges you to find much more under the surface.

For example, I’ve probably read The Great Gatsby around three times now, and I still get to discover something new about the story or the way it’s written each time I read it. The writing is so well thought out — Fitzgerald added layers to the story you can’t even catch them all the first time.

The story of The Great Gatsby is a story about the American Dream. About dreaming and imagining a bigger life for yourself and trying to make that happen. At the same time, it’s about how love or ambition, when based on unrealistic ideals or past experiences, can become an illusion that ultimately leads to disappointment. It’s a powerful message so many people like myself can relate to.

I’ve also felt more comfortable asking questions, always. I like how kids often ask questions and are not in any way concerned about whether their questions could be perceived as inappropriate. I don’t look at myself as someone who has all the answers. Instead, I’ve found that sharing stories with others and questioning ourselves and the world around us often leads to more interesting conversations. It shifts the focus from asking to agree or disagree with someone, to ask them to learn something new.

So you won’t find prescriptions on this blog or in my newsletter. It’s more interesting and fulfilling to me to provide people food for thought. I’m meant to do it this way because it closely aligns with how I move through the world. Yet if there is one wish I have to leave readers with, it’s that I hope this blog will serve its readers as a catalyst for a meaningful conversation.

Thank you for reading. This reader’s question is part of the Ask Me Anything series. Feedback from you, the reader, is important to me. Want to ask me a question for next month? Send me your question via team@lisanneswart.com

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