A powerful question illuminates a person’s path to purpose. But, what is purpose?

I would suggest that there are three ways most of us define purpose. First, and most obvious for Christians, is the one I first learned in the catechism. “To love and serveGod.” Second choice for many would be raising a happy, loving family. Third choice for others would be a successful, meaningful career.

For most of us, loving and serving God happens through loving our neighbors. Hard to measure and how much is enough? Because of aptitude, family expectations and a host of other factors, our career may have chosen us rather than the other way around. And, family? Most of us advancing in age look back and see all the things that were out of our control, things that could have been and should have been. It seems our task in old age is to accept and appreciate the things that went well and let go of the rest.

Tying purpose to loving and serving God is a guaranteed winner, but it is still left to us to determine what “With your whole heart and soul” means in our day-to-day life.

So, is purpose just a giant exercise in accepting, reconciling and letting go? Or is itreally something else that depends on us finding our own truth and our place in God’s plan?

What do you think?

I never considered myself a life-long learner. In fact, school was always a “get it over with” proposition, a way to fulfill requirements or qualify for a particular job. Yet, here I am enrolled in a seven-week online course based on Shirzad Chamaine’s book, Positive Intelligence. And, when I am in Chicago, I am often enrolled in art classes at the Palette and Chisel Art Studio.

I run into many in my age bracket who tell me they lack the energy and ambition to take classes. But, learning is so much more than achievement and passing tests. I think that is one of the big benefits of a Powerful Question. It leads us on a journey of self-discovery and adventure with unlimited possibilities. It has us seeking a more integrated and deeper level of awareness. What a gift to give yourself!

They can be. Case in point:
Fr. Gustavo Gutierrez’s recent death was highlighted in America Magazine. The article, written by Michael E. Lee stated, “Perhaps more than any other theological figure of the past century, this humble Peruvian priest, who died October 22 at the age of 96, wrestled with the question he identified at the heart of Liberation Theology: “How do you tell the poor, “God loves you.””

Fr. Gutierrez wrote the book, A Theology of Liberation.

Liberation Theology stresses the need to care for the poor out of a sense of justice as much as charity. It also stresses, consistent with Pope Francis, that we should not only offer preferential treatment to the poor, but also learn from them. Funny, I was raised to believe that the only thing the poor could teach me was how to avoid getting there.

Liberation Theology has produced a number of martyrs in South America. It has also been a persistent thorn in the side of those who would insulate the Church from thorny issues such as justice.

I would say that Fr. Gutierrez’s Powerful Question was indeed “dangerous.”

During the pandemic, my first wife passed away after she was diagnosed with a brain tumor. While we sought medical treatment and prayed for a miracle, it was apparent that Bianca probably would have only 12-18 months to live given the aggressive form of cancer.

Bianca and I candidly talked about her situation, and she reassured me that I would be free to remarry after she died. She wanted me to live out those dreams we had always wanted to fulfill and truly knew me after nearly 30 years together. She humorously but lovingly warned me to “choose well”.

After the initial grief, I decided to go on CatholicMatch.com and begin exploring what the Lord had in store for me. Soon after joining, I connected with Michelle who had reached out to me. We had so many things in common and seemed to complement one another so well. Soon after, we met for our first date.  During our first year together, Michelle introduced me to the Powerful Question concept and suggested we consider attending a retreat that would be led Dr. John Olesnavage. Michelle had worked with him and thought that we might benefit as a couple by attending the weekend and helping out.

Having read Dr. John’s book, Your Most Powerful Question: Finding Purpose and Meaning in God’s Plan, and speaking with him prior that weekend, I felt I had an inkling of what mine might be. Convinced it had to do something with the call to holiness and living out my vocation and mission in life, I reflected on what my specifically my question might be.

While on retreat I woke up the first night and began rereading Dr. John’s book. Reflecting upon an unpleasant incident that had occurred the weekend before, I recalled a conversation that I had with the same person nearly forty years prior. Suddenly while reading a section of the book highlighting authenticity, I had a visceral reaction and my Powerful Question emerged: What is authentic holiness?

Everything seemed to connect for me in an instant and being able to articulate this question affirmed so much of my past and provided a pathway for me future. A week later, I asked Michelle to marry me, and we celebrated our wedding six months later on Easter Sunday surrounded by our immediate family. Together we have begun a “Camino of the Heart.”

Identifying one’s Powerful Question can literally be lifechanging. It becomes the prism or lens to view the past, present and future. Living it is the challenge but is so rewarding and life-giving.

–Michael Wick–

I want to begin by recognizing Michael Wick, Chair of the My Powerful Question Institute, Board of Directors, who was recently chosen for the 2024 Maxmillian Kolbe award. On August 10 th he will be honored with that award at the Marian Conference to be held at the Maxmillian Kolbe National Shrine. Congratulations Michael!!

This past month, I have had the privilege of presenting a PQ workshop to a group of 12 CEOs attending a Vistage meeting in Algonquin, Illinois. For those not familiar, Vistage is a support organization for business professionals. The workshop was well received and I have been invited back in July. One of the CEO’s in attendance has now invited me to present PQ to the leadership team at Clune Construction headquartered in Chicago. This has been a dream of mine for some time and I am very excited to have this opportunity. What possibilities would open up if members of a management team knew the purpose-driven lens each person was looking through?

I believe that, when found, your Powerful Question will put you on the path to full potential, who you were born to be and show you, “what’s next.”

We all have a narrative, the story we tell ourselves about ourselves. A Powerful Story allows us clarity regarding those early chapters and empowers us to begin writing a next chapter, one that honors who we really are and our role in God’s plan.