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.

During this last year, I came to realize that I needed help in developing Powerful Question to its full potential. And, while I knew how to ask for help, help only arrived when I was able to accept and appreciate what others were offering.

Example: I might have a plumbing problem and decide I needed a specific kind of wrench. The salesman at the hardware, a seasoned pro, suggests other ways of attacking the problem. Am I open to his suggestions, or do I insist on getting that wrench because my history with plumbing says a leaky pipe needs a wrench?

My wrenches were not helping Powerful Question grow. Feeling frustrated and powerless, I began praying and turned it over to God. Shortly after, people started offering help that I could finally accept and appreciate. Powerful Questions change the world. The only thing more powerful is prayer.

Do we really believe that life has meaning and purpose?

The Powerful Question process is ultimately an intentional way to find purpose. However, that can make some people uncomfortable. Why? Because a purpose driven life makes us accountable. It means “walking the talk.” That knowing and that accountability is the ultimate form of acceptance.

The good news is that being accountable to a purpose also frees us up. I will explore this acceptance and his freedom over the course of the next few weeks.