Welcome to Michael's Article Collection

The Great Career Switch

"Hello. Is the doctor in?""I'll be with you as soon as I finish filling in these forms.""But I really need to see a doctor.""There, now what can I do fo – EEEEEK! You...you....you're a grizzly bear.""Yes, ma'am. Can I see the doctor, please?"Wh...why would you want to see the doctor? He doesn't usually see grizzly bears, you know.""Some movie actor thought he'd be a real smarty and kiss me.". . .

Duplicity

Direct Answers - Column for the week of January 26, 2004We've been married 20 years. In order to spice up our sex life we would occasionally share fantasies, and one that seemed to turn us both on involved my wife with me and another man. This remained a fantasy until recently when we had drinks with a photographer who specializes in "boudoir photography."Probably as a result of too much wine. . .

Ego, Arrogance, and Self-Esteem

The pursuit of pleasure and the avoidance of pain are not our only motivators. Whether you realize it or not, our underlying purpose in life is to define and pursue our true purpose in life. Regardless of what we feel or do, we are all simply searching for some type of meaning within our own individual existence that can somehow take us further. However, many problems we face in our lives arise. . .

Another Life ... I Wish I Were Someone Else

In 1978, Erma Bombeck wrote a book entitled "The Grass is Always Greener over the Septic Tank." It was a most humorous read, at the time. Of course, this title falls in line with the idea that "the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence." But, her sentiments hit the idea head on in noting that there must be some specific reason that the grass is greener "over there." While t. . .

What's Your Plan? Designing Your Future

So you have set your goals for the year. Congratulations! I have come to believe most of us set our goals for incorrect reasons. We set goals for short term objectives. Most of these objectives concern materialistic wants: money, and physical things. Let's look at a slightly different approach. Start with deciding what your life should be. Take some time to define your life five years from now.. . .

Give a Hug for Happiness

Hugs have a long and honorable tradition, going back to the day the caveman first squeezed his wife and discovered that no ketchup squeezed out. Since then, he found that his wife makes an awesome teddy bear, and he can always squeeze a rhinoceros when he wants ketchup for his hotdog (which gave him the necessary motivation to go hunting when his wife asked him to).Hugs remain an important par. . .

Working on Your Groove

We all come to a point in our lives, like in the movie “How Stella Got Her Groove Back” that we lose sight of who we are. Life has a person in so many different roles such as parent; employee and spouse we tend to lose “us” in being there for others. Although Stella got her groove back by meeting a man that was 20 years younger than her, how do we know that Stella’s groove is going to stay? Ste. . .

Exploring Beneath The Surface

Unwanted feelings and thoughts are rich territory to dive beneath the surface for fresh insights that open the heart. Imagine for a moment that you are floating along on the ocean of feelings unwilling to accept that the choppy waves to your left signify anger. If you put on snorkeling gear and dive under them, you will see a whole new world.Beneath the anger you will most likely find a hurt or. . .

Four Powerful Pathways Into The Light And Sound Of Oness

The easiest, most exciting adventure in consciousness follows the lamplit guidance of the still, small voice in each of us. In the quiet of meditation, we listen to our souls and hear what is most needed in our lives and how best to obtain it. This wise, kindly voice never fails us and never falters.There is no substitute for inner listening. But in our travels, these four pathways emerge to en. . .

Setting High Personal Standards

In his book, "The 22 Non-Negotiable Laws of Wellness," author Greg Anderson wrote, "Let us be about setting high standards for life, love, creativity, and wisdom. If our expectations in these areas are low, we are not likely to experience wellness. Setting high standards makes every day and every decade worth looking forward to."He also reminded us that, "When we change our perception we gain c. . .

Myth And Reality

Direct Answers - Column for the week of February 2, 2004I am at a complete loss about what to do with my mother-in-law to be. In a nutshell, she's verbally abusive. She treats my fiance like a child, and yet he is 30. She calls me stupid. He has put up with this behavior all his life and won't stand up to her. I love my fiance, but if this is how it's going to be the rest of our lives, I'm. . .

What’s in Your Blind Spot?

We frantically search for our “lost” keys that are lying in plain sight on the kitchen counter. We don’t we see the keys. Why not? Because we already decided “the keys are not there.” And once we make that decision, we create a blind spot in our awareness. The result is that we don’t see the keys where we don’t expect them to be. If we miss seeing keys . . .

Heal and Release the Past

I had a completely different idea for my main article but certain events that happened today helped me to tune into my soul and listen for what I really want to write about. It’s a New Year and I am feeling elated about the possibilities for me this year. When I wrote my premier issue of Passion and Purpose, I wasn’t quite how it was going to unfold. I took another full time job . . .

Getting To Good: Your Spontaneous Woo Quotient

As I was driving to a friend's house, I passed the Dublin Pub, a local watering hole known for its live music. On the reader board, one band's name caught my eye: Spontaneous Woo. I did a little digging and learned that the band hails from Bay City, Michigan and offers a funk/jazz blend. The term "spontaneous woo" refers to an audience response often seen during concerts in which a rising tide . . .

Be A Change Master!

The person who masters change, masters happiness.The best way to thrive in today's ever-fluid, volatile world, is to become a master of change. A "Change Master" not only welcomes, invites and celebrates the flux of constantly evolving life, but also consciously drives and directs these rhythms. When you live "smart," you drive change. You don't have to let change drive you. When you shift from. . .

How To Talk Your Way To Success

Smart folk have always realised how vital it is to talk positively to themselves as well as to other people. A bit of research will show you how these successful men and women not only visualise their goals but also frame them in words they constantly repeat to themselves.If it works for them, it will work for you!How's that?Simple - wishing or desiring are closely allied to autosuggestion (a f. . .

Dancing On Your Brain: The Cha-Cha Effect

My grandmother used to say that the secret to living a good life is maintaining a flexible spine and a flexible mind. Whether we’re talking about joints or brains, there’s just no room for rigidity.Mark Twain once made a comment that illustrates my grandmother’s idea perfectly. He said: “It is discouraging to try to penetrate a mind like yours. You ought to get it out and dance on it. That woul. . .

The Enchantress Within Each of Us Returns—Making Potholde...

When I was little I was very busy--as I imagine most little girls are. At six years of age I had my toys, my fire station with a real bell, my fire trucks and other cars, my paper dolls, my coloring books and large box of Crayola assorted crayons, my picture books and stuffed animals. One of my most important possessions was a 'working' toy which was my ceramic pig that served as my personal ba. . .

Life Writing, One Facet of Living an Enchanted Life

I started life writing in the fifth grade. My mother bought me my own Girl Shout diary! Are you wondering what a Girl Shout diary is? It was a Girl Scout diary kept by me. I had a minor learning disability, undiagnosed in those days, resulting in funny spellings. Undaunted, I wrote to Dear Diary, sharing the best of I Love Lucy, visits with grandparents, and weekly meeting with the Girl Scout. . .

Life, The Greatest Ride of All

Life is the greatest roller coaster ride we will ever take. The ups and downs, the unexpected changes, the twists and turns, are all a part of living. The roller coaster ride of life can be miserable and uncomfortable or exciting and rewarding. Our states of mind and body are key factors in how we handle these changes. The problems of life do not go away magically. We have to consciously w. . .

Fighting Terrorism With Enchantment

Many of you may look at my title and wonder if I have 'lost my marbles.' Let me explain. First let me quote from a wonderful article that was passed around on the web by Clarissa Pinkola Estes, Ph.D. entitled: Healing From Terrorism Sickness. She states: "The main goal of terrorism is 'intentional trauma' to the living. The concept of doing ongoing psychic injury to thousands and millions 'all . . .

Struggling to Make a Decision?

Every great success story begins when a person makes a decision to do something or not to do something. They make a clear decision to make a significant change.Amidst all the opportunity in the world many people either become scattered and try to much at once or don't know where to begin. So where should people start?I believe people need to start with themselves. Decide what you want from this. . .

How To Get Past a Weight Loss Plateau

Everyone who has ever been on a diet has hit a plateau at some point. It is that point where no matter what you do, you cannot seem to lose any weight. I myself have hit many of these and I am going to give you a few ways to blast through your weight loss plateau.Depending on what type of weight loss plan you are on and how much weight loss you have attained already, these factors can play a si. . .

Afraid Of Dying? ... Afraid Of Living!

Over the years, I've heard many people voice their concerns of death and dying. It wasn't that they had any maladies that would cause them to die any time soon, but they were "afraid of their own immortality." The basic idea of death, or the potential of death, created a mind-numbing fear that, in some cases, forced them into isolation to avoid anything that could increase their chances of dy. . .

What Is Your Legacy?

During a recent speech, I told the audience that my mission was to empower the self-employed to succeed. Instantly a hand shot up in the audience. “What’s your definition of success?” I smiled to myself -- I love it when they ask this question!There are as many definitions of success as there are self employed people. Success could be “hitting my financial goals,” or “becoming a nationally-k. . .

THE ENCHANTED SELF, That's Each of Us!

In my years as a psychologist, I have come to believe that most people seeking psychotherapy are unhappy. This is not only due to earlier hurts and traumas, as well as present frustrations and problems, but because they cannot access earlier happy moments often enough. The unfortunate result is not being able to experience enough positive states of well-being. It is these unique states of well . . .

Habits-What I Want for You!

Think for a moment about your Self. Is there something that you would like to have, somewhere you would like to go, or something you would like to do? What is holding you back? I can probably guess at the possible answers: "Not enough money." "Not enough time." "I couldn't do that!" At the risk of going out on a limb, I am going to suggest that the only thing holding you back from doing what yo. . .

Three Amigos

Direct Answers - Column for the week of February 23, 2004I feel rather foolish writing this letter, but I need help. I am a 67-year-old man living on social security. My wife and I divorced, but I never lost my love for her. One day we ran into each other and realized the magic is still there.I did not hesitate to go back to her. She told me, however, she was dating a widowed doctor, and be. . .

Hurry Up And Procrastinate

I've been meaning to write this column, but I keep putting it off. There always seems to be something better or more important or easier to write about. Everybody is rushing to enter the contest to find America's Biggest Procrastinator ( http://www.AmericasBiggestProcrastinator.com ). As an expert in the field, I will help you win the contest. Even if you are not American, just tell them yo. . .

Budget the Luxuries First!

Strictly speaking, his advice was preceded by another Heinlein maxim as well. "Sovereign ingredient for a happy marriage: Pay cash or do without. Interest charges not only eat up a household budget; awareness of debt eats up domestic felicity." Today, that advice gets abused eight ways to Sunday, as the average household is currently carrying credit card debt to the tune of over $10,000. Assu. . .

How Stupid Can People Be?

“I can’t believe she did that!” “What the hell is he thinking?” “Any idiot would have better sense than that!” “Are they all taking dumb pills?” “What’s the matter with these people?” “Why am I working with a bunch of morons?” “He doesn’t have the sense God gave a goose!”Do any of these phrases sound familiar? Of course they do. They’re words we hear – or even use – almost every day. A. . .

Mastering Mindfulness: A Thinker's Ode to Meditation

I'm lucky.When I was fifteen, I was the sole survivor in one of those horrific car accidents involving a bunch of teens, lots of alcohol, and late-night fast driving. While the driver and other passengers were killed instantly when our car hit a tree on a drizzly summer night, I had the most powerful experience of my life. I felt myself being lifted lightly, and it seemed as though I was actu. . .

Anger And Your Driving

Are you driving under the influence of impaired emotions?Dateline: December 4, 2002. Orange County ,California. A 29 year old man was shot to death, an apparent victim of road rage. According to newspaper accounts, he had a reputation for never backing down from a fight.The man and his half brother were heading home from a plumbing job when the trouble began. Apparently, three men in another ca. . .

Life’s an Illusion…

I’ll get right to the point. Life is not necessarily what we think it is. And no, I’m not going to extrapolate this to the extreme to try to convince you that we really exist on some obscure planet in a distant spiral galaxy and that all of this we’re experiencing as “Life” is only a dream. Of course, it is kind of cool to think that we could waking up any time now, wandering out to the kptf. . .

Self-Divine-ation ... Defining a Divine Future!

In some of my counseling and coaching sessions, my clients ask me to perform a reading to tell them their future. In many cases, my response is, "why don't you tell me your future?" They stop and stare, speechless. Of course, that sounds sarcastic and demeaning, but indeed, you know your future better than anyone else!I am in no way knocking the psychic arts, but I'm presenting you with the . . .

Lunacy at its Finest ... Crazymakers and Intimidators In ...

Did you ever run into that person that just nags and picks and scares you into submission? How about that person that appears to turn your world upside-down? What about that person that literally sucks the energy right out of your soul? Believe it or not, these people do exist and they can affect you in ways you never thought possible.--- Crazymakers ---A Crazymaker is someone who feeds on n. . .

A Gift from the Heart of a Friend

She stares at me, and then closes her eyes. A tinge of early dawn plays on her cheek as it peeks through the glass curtains by my desk. I grow warmer, waiting in silence for her first uncertain word and the gentle touch of her hand. She fidgets and rocks in her chair. She cannot hold her thoughts inside much longer.We've been meeting like this for months. Some days she rambles, pouring out her . . .

Simple Pleasures: Ingredients to Feed Your Spirit.

"When we do something we love, again and again, our life comes to hold the fragrance of that thing. ~ Wayne Mullen Cold air slips through the cracks in my doorway and around my windows. My cats lie curled up in balls; asleep on plump pillows. They hibernate most days now and only awaken from their dreamy slumbers for bites of kibble. They are unaware of our troops in the Middle East or our econ. . .

Look for the Positives

Our lives are overflowing with negative information from the newspapers, magazines, television and radio. Nations are at war, thousands are dying of starvation and hundreds are killed by natural disasters. There is no avoiding or ignoring the facts. We even receive negativity from our own families and friends every single day.How we deal with this information is up to us. One, we can absorb i. . .

Self-Healing Basics

* The material presented in this article is provided for information purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or prevent any illness.Through this article I would like to explore some very basic methods that can be used to relieve tension, stress, and depression, as well as sharpen intuition, clear the mind, & increase energy. These methods can be used by anyone to help restore a general se. . .

Fearing the Future ... I am what I fear!

When we were children, we were fearless. We would stick our hands in the fire, chew on the beetle bugs, and eat that dirt. But, over time, we learned those things that we should not do through experience and from "parental voices" --- those baseless fears passed down through the generations. Later in life, we learned that fire burns, beetle bugs are "yucky" and dirt is not nutritious. But, . . .

Self-Recovery from Addiction ... Taking responsibility fo...

I've had several coaching clients come to me who, while they wanted to move forward in life, were actually stuck in a self-destructive addiction. Of course, I cannot directly confront them about their addictions, as they had to open up to me that it was part of the problem that was keeping them in the same rut in which they found themselves day-after-day. As we worked together to make plans a. . .

Tips for Better Meditation

Meditation students often come to me and ask what they can do to improve their meditation. Success in meditation is not the result of any one single factor but depends on sustained and systematic effort over a period of time. However, there are a few tips for meditation, that will help you to improve your performance, regardless of the meditation method that you follow.1. Prepare your body for. . .

Extraordinary People ... in Mediocre Times

My grandfather used to speak of the days when people drove the world. It was a time when people were proud to contribute and move society and industry forward at full steam. But, people were proud of themselves! However, before he died, one of his observations was that "we have come to mediocre times." I was a bit appalled at that statement because, to me, these times were the epitome of ex. . .

The Healing Powers of Journaling

For the past several years, I have found joy working as a motivational writer and speaker. One of my greatest passions has been the gift of sharing my deep love and respect for the written word. Words are powerful. They provoke thought, stimulate creativity, and most importantly, they hold within them the power to heal. Most people do not realize the incredible life-changing potential writing h. . .

Busy, Busy, Busy...

…busy, busy, busy, busy, busy…busy, busy, bus… OK, slap me with a wet diaper! Enough of that silliness. Most you know what I’m talking about though, right? That’s us! Busy. Doing what? Stuff. What kinds of stuff? All kinds of stuff. Like what? You name it. Give me an example. Can’t. Why not? Too busy…OK – that’s it! Blow the danged whistle! We need a Time Out!Holy Smokes, Folks! We’re going out. . .

The Reason Nothing Happens ... Is Because Nothing Is Happ...

I hear many clients declare how boring and stagnant their lives have become. As they disclose their concerns, the answer usually bubbles near the surface, but never quite makes it to the top. However, after a few minutes, I usually ask, "What are you doing to re-energize your life?" The most common answer is, "I dunno what to do!" Ah, the answer to the problem in itself!Life becomes stagnan. . .

Review In 29 Steps Plus One

- I just finished to read a book. A story for kids (yes, I like them), interesting, told with participation and sometimes irony. -- Which is the problem, then? Simple, if the author have been reading "How to Write a Children's Book in 30 Days or Less" by Caterina Christakos, he could have written it decidedly better. --- There aren't outcrying defects, but something doesn't work. The ch. . .

The Chi of New Homes ... Feng Shui-ness and Destiny

When my wife and I were searching for a new Las Vegas home in 2002, we wanted it to have a solid foundation based on Feng Shui principles. My wife researched the essentials and we decided to build a home that met our needs and supported good Chi. The internal layout of the furniture was a slow process because we want to ensure that everything "was energy (Chi) efficient". We even went so far . . .

Catch-22

Direct Answers - Column for the week of February 16, 2004I have been married for a little over seven years, with one 2-year-old son and another on the way. Over time, I believe my wife and I have grown apart. Sexually, we never connected.Prior to our marriage I thought we had a good connection, but three days after the wedding, she told me being married did not obligate her to sleep with me. . . .