On Loving the Question

Caroline Mauldin
Dec 28, 2023
4 min read

Updated: Sep 27, 2025

In this time of global unrest and pain felt by so many, may the coming weeks carry the sentiment of Pax Vobis: “Peace to You.” Art by: Shannon Lujan

We have to choose joy and keep on choosing it.

-Henri J.M. Nouwen

Notions and Contemplations

A Round of Applause for You

Well, friends, here we are, astonishingly, at the end of year. Are you eagerly awaiting the arrival of a new year, and with it a fresh start? Perhaps, instead, you are holding on to 2023, lamenting the [increasingly fast!] passage of time. Either way, kudos for making it to this moment, in whatever state you are in. You’ve survived a lot this year, and before we jump into a new year with both feet, I hope you’ll take a moment to kick those feet up and pat yourself on the back. Job well done. Seriously.

A Mantra for 2024

In the early years of my career, I was preparing to step into a high-pressure, high-stakes position supporting an executive whom I really admired. To say I was intimidated would be an understatement. Fortunately, a kind colleague pulled me aside to offer a simple piece of advice: There is Always an Answer. Then and in the years since, there is perhaps no piece of wisdom that has been more valuable in my journey–in and outside of work–with some additional context: The answer may not be what you think it is, wished it would be, or on the timeline you anticipated, but there is, indeed, always an answer. Unfortunately, the more we resist staying open to the full option set of answers, the more stress and suffering we cause for ourselves.

Loving the Question

This mantra also reminds me of one of my favorite quotes from Austrian poet Rainer Maria Rilke:

“Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves, like locked rooms and like books that are now written in a very foreign tongue. Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answer.”

So, dear reader, here is my wish for you in 2024: whenever faced with a stressful situation, remember that there is an answer waiting for you. It may not feel immediately apparent or accessible, and it may require you to grieve the answer you’d been hoping for. But if you can remember to keep leaning into the question, indeed to love the question rather than the answer, the path will unfold before you.

Let’s work together in 2024!

I’m currently booking projects for the first and third quarters of next year, and I’d love to support you and your team. Here are three ways that we could work together:

Executive Coaching for you (and/or your colleagues)
We’ll jump on the phone every couple of weeks to navigate the issues at the top of your to do list (or preventing you from accomplishing said list). I’ll bring a fresh perspective to help you…wait for it…lean into the questions and identify the answers that sneakily continue evading you.
Strategy Planning/Team Facilitation
You know that strategic plan or team retreat you simply haven’t had time to plan? Let me help. I’ll do the groundwork, work with you to set the agenda, facilitate an inclusive, energetic meeting, and produce deliverables that make the whole thing worth your time.
Creating Compelling, Strategic Communications
It is one of the great ironies of life that we often have the hardest time talking about the thing[s] we spend the most time on. Fortunately, there are few challenges I love more than helping discern, distill, and develop compelling, accessible narratives from complex, dense materials. I’ll help you leave the jargon behind, tighten the talking points, and share a story that makes you feel proud.

Drop me a line at caroline@happyandbennett.com so we can get started!

On My Kindle + Feed + Calendar

Let’s Treat Ourselves (More/Always/Right Now!)

In a truly historic moment for my clan, we have decided to suspend gift-giving this year. While I feel delightfully relieved to not be tracking down that perfectly-sentimental-while-also-useful present for each person, I must admit that I really do love the act of gift-giving. (Yes, it is one of my love languages.) So, instead of wrapped presents under the tree, I’ve decided to focus on “Joy Sparks”–the kind of gifts that don’t cost a thing…except for the time it takes to mentally step away from the to-do list and take a moment for yourself.

With that, please enjoy this Inaugural Joy Sparks List. Like the kindling in your fireplace, I hope it ignites delight in your spirit this holiday season.

Much love,

Caroline

P.S. In case you’re having a hard time making time, I’ve included the duration of each joy spark. Start with four minutes and work your way up. You won’t be sorry!