It's one thing to say "I've answered most of 12,500 questions about life, all by hand." It's another thing to show it. Thanks to some MIT students, I was able to show it recently, displaying 8,000 cards in an MIT lobby, just long enough to take photos. Take a look!

It's a good time to reflect on the project. What have I learned? Seeing the hundreds of ways that people can phrase a question that's common has given me insight into what people are really asking. Here's a card with more.

What have you learned about people, doing this?

We don't show it on the outside, but everyone has a troubling problem or question. We have enormous control over our own lives. Making a change is possible; it just requires conquering our fear of failure. Most people love the concept, but don't offer to help. I like saying hi to strangers. :) <3 <3 -------- Want daily inspiration? Subscribe! And try my other blog, Events Insider.

I'm excited to hear in the news that Egypt and other states may become true democracies. But I'm not surprised. It's part of a long trend, and shame on the people who think we'll "never" see democracy in China, that instead there will be some kind of totalitarian takeover or dominance. Here's a card on that.

Do you think we will ever find peace? With other countries, and with ourselves? (I hope so)

The world is already half at peace. We're at an all-time low for number of armed conflicts worldwide & for deaths as a fraction of the population per year, even including the cave man days. Half the world now lives in a democracy, and world commerce helps to stabilize relations, too. Hang in there! We'll see world peace by 2050. <3 <3 -------- Want daily inspiration? Subscribe! And try my other blog, Events Insider.

I handwrite every answer I give, so having been asked "What is the Meaning of Life" a hundred times, I've given a hundred answers. It's a big question that lends itself to a variety of responses. Here's a good one.

What is the meaning of life

Every person you meet is an opportunity to change someone's life. Taking actions that cause you Regret is the worst thing that you can do to yourself. Make a difference in the world that survives longer than you will. <3 -------- Want daily inspiration? Subscribe! And try my other blog, Events Insider.

Every time you catch yourself thinking, "Am I normal?"... that's normal. :)

If I have never had a boyfriend what am I doing wrong? (I am a girl.)

You're not asking any boys out. Work on gaining confidence by sorting out all your "issues" actively, instead of waiting & hoping. It's the most attractive thing about a person to be confident. :) <3 <3 -------- Want daily inspiration? Subscribe! And try my other blog, Events Insider.

Being an author of a memoir gives me a different viewpoint on life. When something good happens, I wonder if I can write about it. When something bad happens, I'm sad of course, but I also think: Damn! This would make a good chapter! I've even caught myself feeling a bit jealous of the noteworthy disasters in the memoirs of others. Damn! Why can't I be chased by dinosaurs like in Jurassic Park?

Yesterday I saw my dad and we were going through old photos when he made a comment about my weight. Three, actually, one of them being. "You sure were a chubby kid!" Instead of being hurt or annoyed as usual, I just rolled my eyes and chuckled to myself. "I gotta write about this!!" I thought. A nice change.

(What, you're saying Jurassic Park is not a true story?)

What is the difference between love + addiction? Sometimes I can't remember...

True, healthy love is when you have the confidence to say "no" and not be permissive of your partner mistreating you -- but you don't need to because your partner is consistently giving & never gets angry, and you are too. Addiction is when you feel love, but the relationship is not giving two-ways, and you have this delusion that you're "trapped" & can't leave. <3 <3 -------- Want daily inspiration? Subscribe! And try my other blog, Events Insider.

Anyone who's able to question whether he or she is a good person... is a good person. Here's a card on that. :)

I so badly want to be someone else. Anyone else. Why?

Everyone has a hero. Maybe it's time for a reset. Plan a party with friends to announce the new you. Make a list of resolutions & ask for their help. You really can be anyone you want. Defining it lowers anxiety & asking for help makes it stick. <3 -------- Want daily inspiration? Subscribe! And try my other blog, Events Insider.

Here's a card about letting your inner child out for a while. Or all the time. :)

Is life really over after college??

Many people choose to end fun hobbies, late nights with friends, learning, & living in a close community. But you don't have to give up your creative, playful approach to life just because you get a job! Just be sure to get a job that's inspiring & doesn't drain you. Then rock on!! <3 <3 -------- Want daily inspiration? Subscribe! And try my other blog, Events Insider.

I'm feeling happy today, having just finished a great new revision of the Wheel Questions book proposal. Over the last 12 months I've improved it seven levels up that I can think of. Most of the time I'm a blabbermouth, eager to fill the whole card with ideas, and wanting to avoid sounding slogan-y. Here's a nice short poetic one.

What is art?

Art is beauty, made on purpose. <3 -------- Want daily inspiration? Subscribe! And try my other blog, Events Insider.

Happy New Year, everyone. Do what you can to nudge people into being nice, but don't get drawn into trying to help someone who can't be helped.

-Johnny

Why are some people mean & others so nice? Why can't all people Be nice & kind?

People who are mean are usually lashing out because they're hurt & frustrated. It's a mistake to get too close to that. Learn to spot the nice people and don't be permissive! Sometimes nice people have unreasonable expectations about reciprocation. Watch out for that, too! <3 -------- Want daily inspiration? Subscribe! And try my other blog, Events Insider.

I'm revising the Wheel Questions book proposal! This time, I've made a full, detailed outline of all the chapters. You can see my post-it notes all over a wall on the Wheel Questions Backstage Blog.

Also, I'm looking for a few good people to read over the proposal. I don't need time consuming, low-level comments on grammar. Really I'm just looking for some people to pretend to be a busy editor who gives a readover of maybe an hour, and get your high-level feedback as to whether it works. I'd like to wrap up this next revision by January 3rd, so if you are interested over the holiday break, please email me at johnny@wheelquestions.org, and thanks! :)

Happy holidays!

-Johnny

Is Santa real? Ho! Ho! Ho!

Santa is not a real person, but it is a real idea. When people act on an idea, it makes real changes to the world. How would the world be different if we didn't have the concept of Santa? Would we still give gifts? <3 <3 -------- Want daily inspiration? Subscribe! And try my other blog, Events Insider.

This question is totally cute. Everyone's a wizard at something. :)

are you a wizard? please be!

Um... Yes! I am a wizard at some things. What are you good at? What do you want to be? :) -------- Want daily inspiration? Subscribe! And try my other blog, Events Insider.

I chose this card because it ends with Thanks. Happy Thanksgiving! I still have the website on events, but it's now at EVENTSinsider.com. :)

Where is your favorite place in Boston? I'm new here - looking for places to hangout. Thank you! Thank you for this place!

My favorite places are the DeCordova Sculpture Museum & Davis Farmland & the Museum of Science, Boston. I have a blog on quirky for things to do in New England at www.EVENTSinsider.com -------- Want daily inspiration? Subscribe! And try my other blog, Events Insider.

I had a big consulting project this week that distracting me from posting more cards this week. It's good to have some real income. And good to be back to regular sleep now that it's over. I pushed myself too hard this week. Here's a card about perfectionism. Perfectionism feels like a kind of badge of honor, but it is really a lack of confidence and a disconnect from a well-balanced set of goals.

Will I ever feel completely satisfied with everything I do?

Yes, but you have to get your head involved. Master your perfectionism by doing a cost / benefit analysis. What is the real benefit to putting in yet more work. Then give yourself permission to let it go & include "loving myself & relaxing" among your important goals! :) <3 <3 -------- Want daily inspiration? Subscribe! And try my other blog, Events Insider.

It's surprising how dehumanizing some interactions can be. People don't even make eye contact buying groceries. On a weekend or evening, just say to a retail clerk, "Thanks for working late for us!" and you might make someone's day. :)

How do we as people truly connect to each other? => That is how do we really penetrate the universes which are each individual's subjective perceptive experience? *

Ask everyone you meet for their story. Compliment the store clerk, the woman at the bus stop, the taxi driver, or just people on the street who look interesting. Those who respond, talk with for a while. You might even say you're on a quest to collect people's hopes & fears. You could even set up a wheel... hey, wait...! :) -------- Want daily inspiration? Subscribe! And try my other blog, Events Insider.

After a year and a half of growing my hair out, I just got it cut and finally it doesn't have this so-so "in-between" look! I was hoping a change would make me happy. I was right. Here's a card about how slippery a concept happiness is.

Will I be satisfied with life as a lawyer?

The book, "Stumbling on Happiness" describes the science of happiness and how people can be delusional about the past or their hopes for the future. Find some lawyers and ask them, are you happy right now? Today? How can you be creative about adjusting your career to suit? <3 -------- Want daily inspiration? Subscribe! And try my other blog, Events Insider.