Most every morning I sit down at the computer and type out a question on my Facebook profile page– I call this posting a “White Horse” question. You see, back when I was in college there was a drinking establishment across the street from our dorm called the White Horse Inn. Sometime during (any of the several) weekends, a group of us would go over there together, armed with beer money and pens. As the libation flowed, we would take napkins and write “questions of life” on them.
Then we would pass the napkins around the table and take turns answering. As we moved through the night the questions seemed to become more and more important to us, more and more risky.
So now – years later — most mornings I sit down at the computer and type out a White Horse question. Only this time, the audience is a group (from near to far; some old friends, some new) who seem to enjoy pondering and responding to these homegrown Food For Thought questions. Some examples I’ve posted lately: What’s a favorite song lyric that gets you through the day?; Give us a 6-word sentence that describes your ‘home’; For today, what is something that will only happen if you do it?; Saturdays are made for…..
The sacred, colorful gift for me most evenings comes at the time when I sit down to Facebook and read through the responses to the day’s question. Most nights it is a gift to “listen” to my community learn from, lean on, appreciate, and sometimes challenge one another. These folks are (initially) strangers to each other, but most of them are long-time companions to me. Through a simple question there is – more times than not – more light for me at the end of the day. There is a reassurance of wit and wisdom still alive and well in my world. There is love and laughter.
This has really been a bit of a risk for me, this “putting it out there for all the world to see” each morning. More often than not – it really comes back to me as hope. There is a shouting from the “amen corner” that, indeed: community is worth it. One response at a time, I am reminded how lucky I am to have such good people in my life. It isn’t perfect, but for years now, White Horse questions have been worth the risk.
Lesley Brogan is tethered to her village. The middle daughter of a middle daughter, she and her partner co-parent two boys (11 and 8) with their two dads. Life rarely seems easy, but in it, there is energy and wisdom -- and, it seems -- just enough humor to get the village through their days.
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i just think your practice of so-called “White Horse” questions is so cool. it’s such a good spiritual and social practice, for the stopping to reflect on brief, pithy, illuminating questions. Well said indeed~~
This is such a great idea! So much of the content on Facebook is too dumb for words. Your questions are a wonderful way to bring some meaningful content to the Facebook entries. It is a wonderful way to learn more about your friends, as well as a good way for them to learn more about themselves as they ponder their answers. I’m going to “borrow” your idea.
What a wonderful idea, Lesley! Such good questions. You must get amazing answers, too.
I don’t always post an answer to the “White Horse” question of the day, but it always creates a pause for me, and a “feeling into” the question and the community there. It is a gift to all of us. Thank you!