Welcome to Michael's Article Collection

Conclave: Electing a New Pope

Upon the death of the Pope, a monumental sequence of events unfolds, culminating in a process known as the conclave whereby a new Pope is elected to lead the Roman Catholic faith.Beneath Michelangelo's revered ceiling in the Sistine Chapel, the College of Cardinals, led by the Cardinal Camerlegno (Cardinal Chamberlain), Eduardo Martinez Somalo, begins the arduous process of selecting the pope's. . .

Echo's Transition

Echo was a flea-bitten gray horse, with brown speckles everywhere, and crystal clear hairs in her mane and tail. We met in October, 1976, when she was a broodmare on an Arabian farm in New York State. A beginner at riding doesn't usually start out with a novice horse, but I fell in love at first sight of her. Somehow, over the years, we learned how to have great times and not get in trouble.. . .

Experiences of a New Coach

The following interview is with Estelle Gibbons, of Western Australia, who had been coaching for approximately eight months at the time of this interview, and worked with me for the first three.How did you get started as a life coach?I had always had an interest in this field, but had no idea how to channel my energy. Then one day I happened across "Life Coaching" on the www, scanned a few web . . .

Attitude: The Forgotten Power

What would you consider is your most valuable tool for staying in shape? Is it your treadmill? What about your weight set? Is it your arsenal of low-fat cookbooks, and low-carb diet snacks? What about your collection of workout videos?Would you consider it a revelation that your most lethal weapon in the battle of the bulge is your Attitude?Think about it. What good is your treadmill if you don. . .

How to Change from a Pessimist to an Optimist!

Do you always see things from a negative perspective? Do not worry! You do not have to be a pessimist for the rest of your life. You have the power to turn your life around. I know you maybe thinking Kenia why would I want to change myself? The problem with negative thinking is that you are always going to be stuck on the wrong side. What I mean is that whenever you have a dream or illusion y. . .

Breakup Rescue: Extreme Deep Healing

If it's being a long time, and you are still going through the emotional rollercoaster of a breakup, feeling pain, anger and depression, know this: You don’t need to suffer one more day over your ex! It doesn’t matter how long you have suffered, or how deep the pain is, it is time to let go and welcome a new life.If it hasn’t been easy to heal after your breakup or divorce, the cause may be a s. . .

Combat Stress by Creating Your Own Oasis

Help your body and mind relax, and increase your sense of well-being, by creating a personalized comfort zone. Whether at home, work or when traveling, you can create your own oasis with these eight easy steps.Stress and anxiety can prematurely age our mind and body. If not dealt with effectively, chronic stress and worrying can place undue strain upon our cardiovascular and immune systems. It . . .

True Happiness

Most people look outside of themselves as the cause of their unhappiness or frustration. After all, wouldn’t life be practically perfect if the significant people in our lives would simply do things the way we want them to or do what we think is best for them? Actually, this is the kind of thinking that perpetuates the misery! I agree that most of today’s unhappiness centers on important people. . .

Learn to Say No

How many times have you agreed to do something that you actually didn’t want to do? For someone at work? Your friends? Even your spouse? All you had to do was say no, but the word didn’t come out. So you end up doing it…and later resent it.A coaching client said to me she was agreeing to things she didn’t want to do, but for some reason, she felt obliged to do them. Instead of taking enjoyment . . .

How to Coach Yourself

Some people are not in a position to work with a coach right now. Some are stretched financially, while some are still using the “lone ranger” method. Other people might be uncertain about trying something new.So here is a brief, simple process I often use with clients that you can apply to you own situation i.e. coach yourself! And at the end of the article I will mention how you can go even f. . .

Breaking Through Uncertainty - Welcoming Adversity

We all question our ability at times. Uncertainty plagues us. It is even more intense if the ability we are questioning relates to something we have never tried or not succeeded at in the past.Set backs are common, but we rarely welcome them. We are inclined to respond negatively to adversity. It may be time to revisit that reflexive response.I had an experience recently that caused me to r. . .

Make Your Life Easier

'Have you read the Art of War?' someone asked me once. Fighting someone to get your way is definitely a valid strategy. But you don't need me to tell you about that one - we've all been arguing and manipulating to get our own way since we were born! And you may have noticed - often when you push, the other person pushes back! Wars have been fought, relationships lost, and many ulcers create wit. . .

The Power of Vision

You've probably heard a lot about creating a vision, and possibly affirmations.Is it all new-age mumbo jumbo?I say no. If we really want to create something new in life, it simply makes sense to work out what that is, and then create a structure to constantly remind yourself. To keep it real. To keep you inspired, motivated.I'm happy to be able to share this great article from a client of mine . . .

5 Tips to Make the Right Decisions in the Midst of Chaos

"In a moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing to do. The worst thing you can do is nothing."--Theodore Roosevelt As I wandered a parking lot looking for my car I realized the quality of my decision making skills shrunk drastically in the midst of chaos. We make hundreds of decisions daily. They’re the heartbeats of our lives. They make or break us. Are we making good on. . .

Finding Your Perfect Partner

The mistake is to go looking, before cleaning up your own "back yard". The mistake is to seek someone because you're so desperately lonely, and don't feel happy with your own company. You may find a partner using this approach, but it often won't last, and will rarely lead to fulfillment.There's nothing wrong with this approach, and this newsletter won't stop anyone doing it. BUT - here's the k. . .

Time to Risk More

(Note to reader: As always, of course you need to be willing to take all consequences of your actions.)100 people aged 100 were asked: “What do you regret most? What would you do differently?”The majority answered: “I wish I had risked more”. We regret the things we don't do, far more than the things we do. Fear STOPS us living. We get a sense of security.... which can be upset at any moment an. . .

Mindfulness and Multiple Intelligences: 8 Ways to Pay Att...

How are you smart? Let me count the ways. Harvard professor Howard Gardner was the first to describe the concept of Multiple Intelligences. According to this widely-accepted theory, we are each born with a certain amount of intelligence in each of eight areas, and we have the potential to harness or develop each of these throughout our lives. In 1983, Gardner first described seven intelligences. . .

Everyone Needs a BAG (Big Audacious Goal)

A Big Audacious Goal (BAG) is a clear and compelling catalyst that serves as a focal point for effort. Unlike smaller goals, the BAG is something that is huge. It is challenging and in some ways seems impossible - but a BAG is also inspiring, compelling, and motivating.Everyone needs a BAG. BAGs challenge us to be more than we are right now, and to tap into all of our resources. BAGs bring out . . .

Don't Be Jealous - Be Inspired

When we see people do things we cannot do, or have things we don't have, it might be tempting to be a little jealous. But, jealousy doesn't lead to anything except resentment, and that isn't going to help you. Instead of being jealous of others, focus on being inspired. Let the success of others move you forward toward your own success. After all, people who are doing things you want to do or h. . .

Success at Work: Techniques : Taking Initiative

Do you have to constantly nag at your kids to do things? Why can't they clean up their mess and get ready for school without being told? Now think about your boss at work. Does your boss always have to tell you what to do. Does your boss have to treat you like a child, or do you take initiative? Employees who need to be told what to do are said to be "reactive". They do something only after the. . .

Commit to Doing 80%

Instead of trying to be perfect, it is better to do your best, and often your best doesn't look like going all out all the time. This is especially true when you are making changes in your life. Instead of setting yourself up for disappointment and failure, allow yourself some room to breathe and not be perfect. Life is a process and it takes time, so commit to doing your best 80% of the time a. . .

Whiteboards Can Increase Your Daily Productivity?

Whiteboards are most often associated with an educational setting or maybe even with boring sales seminars. You rarely associate them with anything else. It's amazing how very few entrepreneurs have a whiteboard in use at their home office. It's an essential business tool!Why would a business person working from home need a whiteboard? That's easy to answer with one single word - organization. . . .

Interpreting Tarot Cards - Part 2

Last time we looked at a simplified tarot card reading scheme based on the 22 major arcana cards, and got as far as the Emperor. We will continue this week with the 5th card, the Hierophant.A Hierophant is someone who interprets secret knowledge, and represents learning, often in a religious context. In readings, the Hierophant represents learning from the experts, or official institutions. Thi. . .

The Spectacular You

I recently received a letter addressed to Spectacular Rachelle Lee. At first I thought it was a joke. Who would write such a thing? I then thought maybe it was a mistake. Whatever it was, I knew it did not feel comfortable. It turned out to be an advertisement, for what I am not even sure. What I am sure of is that the way it was addressed caught my attention, and I realized how difficult. . .

Don't Settle

Settling is about not embracing what is best for you, and accepting what you really don't want. When you settle, you accept less than you deserve. Settling becomes a habit and a way of life, but it doesn't have to be. According to Maureen Dowd, "The minute you settle for less than you deserve, you get even less than you settled for!”People settle every day in every way. They settle for unsatisf. . .

People Are Who They Want To Be

Choice isn't always a matter of being able to choose what happens to us. Life happens, and often without any say from us. However, our circumstances do not determine who we become. Only we have the choice to determine that. Everyone is who he or she wants to be, regardless of what one might think. We all have choices and each choice leads to the creation of who we are.There is a great quote th. . .

If You Are Not Ready, Don't Start

There are times when we feel we should take action, but feel stuck or unsure. Action does assist with moving forward, but the first question to ask is "Am I ready?". We might be willing and able, but if we are not ready we will have a false start. We will sabotage ourselves.Being ready is about commitment. Being ready is also a mindset. At times we have to be pretty fed up before we are really. . .

There Are Always More Nos Than Yeses

Although it may not seem true, if we think about it, we will come to realize that there are always more nos than yeses. We will be turned down more often than not. The good news is that the more nos we get the more the yeses will increase. It is a numbers game. The more often we ask the more our chances of success increase.If, just for fun, we took a jar and put a penny in it for every no we re. . .

The Law of Large Numbers

It is often said that sales is a numbers game. The more people we contact, the more chances we have to make a sale. That seems pretty obvious. The more people we contact the better chance we have of making a sale.This doesn't just work in sales. It works in life. If we want to get a date or find a job the more people we talk to, the greater chance we have of being successful. Sitting at home wi. . .

A Live It

Real change happens only when it becomes part of our everyday life. When a change becomes a habit, it isn't something new we are trying, but becomes part of what we do as our routine. I was reading a Wynona Judd interview and they asked her about her diet. She replied that she wasn't on a diet; she was on "A Live It." I thought this was great because the risk of a diet or any change is that we . . .

The Power of Simplicity in Holistic Living

What does it take to live life holistically? It definitely does not require a degree from well known university, a high paying job or huge bank balance. Holistic living has nothing to do with all that!Holistic living simply means….. To enjoy positive health and wellness with physical body To have sharp and alert mind To have positive emotions such as Zest, Love, Joy To be aware spirituallyHolis. . .

Enroll in Car College

One of the most overlooked opportunities for learning and personal growth is the time we spend in our cars. There really isn't much we can do safely in our car but drive. I know I see people doing all kinds of things such as curling their hair, putting their makeup on and talking on the telephone. All of those things are distracting. There is something we can do in our cars to make any commute . . .

Emergency Living

There are times, when I am driving in my car being passed by so many other cars speeding along, that I could swear there is an emergency somewhere and I wasn't invited. It seems everyone is in a hurry to get somewhere. The other day I was sitting at a red light, the light turned green and the car in front of me sped away. At the next traffic light the same car was sitting in front of me and, wh. . .

You Can't Have An Intelligent Conversation With Everyone

Intelligent conversation is one of life's pleasures. I love nothing better than to engage in conversation with someone who has ideas to share, different perspectives, and is interesting. An intelligent conversation is food for the brain. All too sadly, not everyone can carry on an intelligent conversation. This has less to do with their intelligence quotient (IQ) than with their emotional quoti. . .

Why Most People Don't Really Want to Heal

I recently attended a metaphysical lecture facilitated by Guy Williams, a friend of mine who also happens to be a minister of Religious Science. After the lecture, Guy opened the floor for prayer requests, and one of the attendees asked for healing for a family member who was experiencing a significant health crisis. In the course of the discussion, Guy asked if the attendee was certain that he. . .

Why Anger is Essential to Healthy Relationships

Many of us have some very definite ideas about anger. We see anger as destructive and hurtful. We consider it to be an inappropriate response. We equate anger with violence. In short, we feel that anger is simply wrong, and that when we experience anger, there’s something wrong with us. Anger isn’t nice. Anger isn’t polite. And anger certainly isn’t our friend. Anger can be all of these things.. . .

Change the Words and Change the World

Excerpt From The Relationship Handbook: How to Understand and Improve Every Relationship in Your Life by Kevin B. Burk If we want to change our lives in any way, all we need to do is to change our words, thoughts and beliefs. When we change the words, we change the world. Over the course of this handbook, you may discover a number of beliefs that no longer support you. By following this simple,. . .

Can We Still Be Friends?

Excerpt From The Relationship Handbook: How to Understand and Improve Every Relationship in Your Life by Kevin B. Burk Even when we know it’s time to end a romantic relationship, we’re often reluctant to let go of our partners completely. We’ve shared so much of our lives with our partner, it seems almost callous to simply cut them out of our lives—especially if we’re ending the relationship on. . .

Balancing Mars and Venus in Each of Us

Excerpt From The Relationship Handbook: How to Understand and Improve Every Relationship in Your Life by Kevin B. Burk When we think of ourselves first and foremost as human, we’ve taken the first step towards regaining our balance. Gender does not define who we are. Gender is nothing more than a biological point of view. Once we take 2,500 years of ego- and fear-based conditioning out of the p. . .

Attitude: The Forgotten Power

What would you consider is your most valuable tool for staying in shape? Is it your treadmill? What about your weight set? Is it your arsenal of low-fat cookbooks, and low-carb diet snacks? What about your collection of workout videos?Would you consider it a revelation that your most lethal weapon in the battle of the bulge is your Attitude?Think about it. What good is your treadmill if you don. . .

Typecasting, Candice Bergen and Family Relationships

I’m experiencing some challenges in my relationship with Candice Bergen. I recently started watching _Boston Legal_ on Sunday nights, because Candice Bergen had joined the cast. (She joined the cast so that more people like me would start watching _Boston Legal_ on Sunday nights.) Like most Candice Bergen fans, I mainly associate her with her character on _Murphy Brown:_ tough, smart, funny, sh. . .

Sex Without Intimacy and Intimacy Without Sex

Excerpt From The Relationship Handbook: How to Understand and Improve Every Relationship in Your Life by Kevin B. Burk We no longer feel the social pressure to confine sex to committed relationships. In fact, we’re free to explore our sexuality with just about anyone we like. Sex is now an accepted recreational activity. What we often don’t realize, however, is that even casual, recreational se. . .

Define Me

Define MeWe’ve all had a vision or a great idea and had someone who knows better squash it. We’ve all decided to clear our debts, but been tempted by the next great offer. We’ve all been determined to save up for a holiday or some other thing that will enhance our lives and then been clobbered by a bill that sets us back a month or few. We’ve all affirmed a diet in one moment and been offered. . .

Yes, No or Maybe

The amount of time spent making a decision should be in proportion to the impact it will have on your life. Anon. There are two kinds of decision makers in this world. The type who, when you ask whether they prefer lasagna or spaghetti for dinner answer, "Lasagna, please," and the rest of the world who hem and haw and never get around to responding until dinner is done, the pots are washed, the. . .

Seven New Ways to Be Smart

Imagine for a moment that you lived in a world where only people who were very skilled at musical ability were considered to be valuable. And in this world, only those people who were musically talented were considered to be intelligent. Everyone who didn’t have musical ability was considered to be slow-witted and intellectually inferior.In this imaginary world, only those people who were the. . .

Resume Writing: 7 Strategies that Say Hire Me

A resume is your life condensed to a few pages and highlighted with your qualities and experiences. Potential employers learn about you through the words you chose and the examples you give. If you are not careful with these words and examples, however, you may just give the wrong impression. An effective resume is essential in the business world. Without one, you will not succeed. Employers ar. . .

How Does God See You?

How does God see you? Does He like what He sees? Can I tell you He loves you 100% and loves everything about you? He loves all your annoying habits, He loves those extra pounds you have gained, and He loves you when you falter. Basically, He loves you. As a new creature in Christ when God looks at you He sees you as being redeemed. He sees the work Christ has completed on our behalf. He love. . .

Wake Up and Realize the People Around You, Are People Lik...

Most people in the world these days are living in cities, some upwards of 30 million individuals as in the case of Tokyo, Japan. Chances are you are in a city right now, as this type of living has become the prominent choice for those of us on Earth, especially in developed countries. That is not to say that there aren’t many other ways of existing in our world, but for now this seems to be the. . .

The Choice Is Yours

"Your life is the sum of all the choices you make, consciously and unconsciously. If you can control the process of choosing, you can take control of all aspects of your life. You can find the freedom that comes from being in charge of yourself." Robert F. BennettHave you ever stood in a grocery store and felt overwhelmed by the choices? Several dozen types of salad dressings. Six brands of tom. . .

How to Triple Your Productivity in 28 Days - Part II

If you've been diligent in doing the past 2 concentration builders you will notice you have a considerable increase in your productivity and your power to stay focused. In fact, you have probably also noticed that you are more organized, and feel more at ease. These are natural side-effects of building your concentration. Congratulations!* Concentration Builder Week 3This week's concentration-. . .