Wednesday, June 18, 2025

Expanded Meaning:

This quote by Zora Neale Hurston speaks to the cyclical nature of life and growth. It captures the essence of how our lives are composed of different phases—some marked by confusion, uncertainty, and soul-searching, and others by clarity, realization, and resolution.

"Years that ask questions" represent the seasons in life when we are unsure—when we’re exploring, doubting, grieving, or trying to understand who we are or where we’re going. These are the periods when we may feel lost, face challenges, or undergo transformation. They force us to reflect deeply and confront the unknown.

"Years that answer" follow as the moments of insight, growth, and peace. They may not come immediately, but over time, experiences that once felt chaotic begin to make sense. The pain of a past year may reveal its purpose, and the lessons from earlier trials become guiding lights. These are the years when clarity dawns—not because life gets easier, but because we become wiser.

This quote reminds readers that not every season is meant to yield clarity right away. Some years are designed to provoke growth through discomfort. Others arrive quietly to offer healing, connection, and deeper understanding. Both are essential. Growth requires both the struggle of the question and the serenity of the answer.

Origin & Context:

Zora Neale Hurston (1891–1960) was a renowned African American author, anthropologist, and central figure in the Harlem Renaissance. This quote comes from her 1937 novel Their Eyes Were Watching God, a seminal work in American literature that explores themes of self-discovery, love, independence, and the evolving identity of a Black woman in the early 20th century South.

Hurston’s writing often reflected her deep understanding of human nature, especially through the lens of race, gender, and personal agency. The quote encapsulates the emotional and psychological journey of the protagonist, Janie Crawford, as she searches for her voice and place in the world. Hurston’s message is timeless: the path to self-realization is not linear, and time plays a crucial role in helping us understand life’s deeper truths.

Takeaway:

If you're in a "questioning year," take heart. This is a valid, even necessary, part of your journey. These are the times when you’re planting seeds—learning, stretching, becoming. Trust that an "answering year" may be on the horizon. With time, what now feels uncertain may become your most valuable wisdom.

Reflection:

Think about a year in your life that felt full of questions. What questions did it ask of you? Now, consider a year that brought answers. How are they connected?

Resource List: Navigating Life’s Questions and Answers

1. Book:
    Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
   – A powerful novel exploring identity, love, and growth through the lens of life’s questioning and answering seasons.
   

2. Book:
    When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times by Pema Chödrön
   – Insightful guidance for navigating uncertain and questioning times with grace and mindfulness.
   

3. Article:
    “The Seasons of Life” by Jim Rohn
   – A philosophical look at how life moves in cycles, teaching us through both hardship and harmony.
   

4. Podcast Episode:
    On Being with Krista Tippett – “Elizabeth Gilbert: Choosing Curiosity Over Fear”
   – A discussion on how questions can lead us to surprising truths and creative awakenings.
   

5. Quote Collection:
    Brain Pickings (now The Marginalian) – Maria Popova’s reflections on Hurston and other thinkers
   – Thoughtful essays that explore life’s big questions and the writers who tackled them.