michael

Andrew Stimson, 1941 – 2021 He was my best college roommate for those first two years of college dorm life at Iowa State Teachers College (“ISTC” – now the University of Northern Iowa, in Cedar Falls). That was before I transferred to the University of Iowa, and basically lost touch with him. Before that we […]

I don’t know where I found this little saying. It was some years ago. I printed it out using my little Brother label-maker, and stuck it just below my bathroom mirror. It’s been there ever since – reminding me to keep open to those unforeseen moments that can insert themselves into my everyday life. I

It’s not uncommon, when spouses or domestic partners may be contending with each other over some matter, the phone will ring.  Let’s say the man will answer it, to discover it’s a client, friend, business associate, neighbor, or somebody for whom a courteous and friendly tone is appropriate. Needless to mention, it’s quite a different

I heard a ‘yes’ from somewhere – I don’t know where it came from or what it means. What do I do now? I’m not used to hearing voices from out of nowhere – except once in awhile out of nowhere I’ll hear my name being called. I probably should respond by saying “thank you”,

Remember that song from Rogers & Hammerstein’s “Carousel” – back in the 1950’s?  “When you Walk Through a Storm”. [1] (Lyrics below in Footnotes) Parallels What were you and I doing and thinking this past Christmas? Joseph Biden and Kamala Harris had been (duly and/or apparently) elected President and Vice President of the United States.

Among the Native Americans with whom I’ve rubbed shoulders in this my latest quarter century, there are ritual words, akin to our “Good Bye” (God be with you), Blessings and Balance, Balance and Blessing,For from Balance comes all Blessings Sometimes this is foreshortened to the first three words, or to “B&B” – as at the

It seems we’ve tried everything… Word is, now we’ve got a vaccine. And we all know to be thankful  (or is it skeptical) A savior who will take away our sins. So now we’re free to sin more – not even to worry about the consequences. And the toll of its victims will yet increase.

Waiting for the Messiah In the Christian liturgical calendar this time of year the standard lessons celebrate both the ending of things (the “final days”) and anticipates the beginning of things (“new beginnings”). It’s an annual cycle primarily attuned to the seasonal progression of the our earth’s relationship to the sun. And whether it’s infinitely

Notes from a Client Session The Presenting Problem My client has been considering a major employment shift. He’s age 30, and this idea had been bouncing around “in the back of his mind” for about a year now. He’s well employed currently in the manufacturing sector, but is now attracted to a more entrepreneurial environment.

When working with couples,  I sometimes find myself playing the role of a fight coach. I step in at a point where either or both of the combatants have lost their ability to prevail, except at the forced acquiescence or voluntary surrender of the other party. You know, ‘In order for me to win, you