The Official Website of Michael Corthell

 But how do we practice good truth telling? How do we develop our capacity to speak our truth with kindness, with love, and with authenticity?  There are many things we can do to make this happen. Here are three of them: 1) Stop managing other people's feelings . It's arrogant, manipulative, and somewhat foolish to think that we have the ability to manage other people's emotions. Many of us use this as an excuse to not really speak our truth - we don't want to hurt people. We can be mindful of other people's feelings so we don't end up being intentionally mean and hurtful, but when we let go of taking care of their feeling in a euphemistic and condescending way, it frees us up to be have truly adult conversations. 2) Be real, not right - it's not a contest. This is a big deal when it comes to speaking the truth. When we focus on winning or being right at all costs, we no longer tap into our heart of hearts, the place where real truth comes from. When we ...

by Michael Corthell Your friends and neighbors are out there living life to its fullest, do you care to join them? One thing is for sure — you can’t see them from your living room.  The difference between life on your sofa and being out & about in the real world is going to be massive, so be forewarned. But be assured that it's going to be worth it. ''A dream is your creative vision for your life in the future. You must break out of your current comfort zone and become comfortable with the unfamiliar and the unknown.'' — Denis Waitley Assess your boundaries. If you want to do things differently, you have to think differently. Think about what stops you from getting out there. You know it will be at least interesting, maybe even fun. Find out what it is exactly that's keeping you fenced in. List all your fears and phobias. This is a great self-improvement tool for anyone, introvert or extrovert. Be honest. Eliminate detractio...

 

About Life Choices Our lives don't just happen. Our lives are defined by the choices we make. Some of these choices are ours, and some choices are made by other people, and many of us just accept those decisions and follow along. It is very important to know that we make choices all the time, even when we chose not to choose we have still made a choice. It is our choices that determine everything we experience. The choices we are making today determine what we will experience tomorrow. We have been given the freedom to create our experiences through our choices. Unless we are willing to take full responsibility for these choices, we will never have control over our lives.  If we believe that outside forces are mostly responsible for our choices, we will give away the power of self-determination. Your life is your choice.    

If enough people embrace Hope and Optimism.   by Michael Corthell  How can we increase the odds that our lives will get better in 2021? I firmly believe in the law of attraction. Simply, this law states that we attract into our lives whatever we focus on the most. It's not magic. This universal law is simply the manipulation of the subconscious mind, which will believe anything you tell it, positive or negative. So if we can focus on positive thoughts and positive vibes, we will attract more positivity in our lives. In the coming year, if you focus on being positive, enthusiastic, and happy, you will have a very good chance of seeing the same reflected in your life. Conversely though, if you enter 2021 with a negative attitude, chances are that negativity will almost certainly cloud your life. To sum up, if you focus on positive thoughts, you will attract positivity. If you focus on negative thoughts you will attract negativity. Believe me this mental attitude works. Always w...

 'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times' is an appropriate phrase to use in the context of today’s world because on the one hand, the rich are enjoying luxurious lives; while on the other hand, the poor are struggling under the pressure of economic decline. 'The rich are getting richer and the poor and getting poorer. (see: ignorance and want )  Income inequality is bad for society as it is tried to weaker social bonds between people, which in turn makes health and social problems more likely. Economic prosperity creates stronger social bonds in society and thereby makes health and social problem less likely. One study finds a correlation between income inequality and increased levels of political instability. A 2016 study finds that interregional inequality increases terrorism. Another 2016 study finds that inequality between social classes increases the likelihood of coups but not civil wars. A lack of reliable data makes it difficult to study the relations...

 

 

 

If Americans take Trump's rhetoric at face value, they will find themselves living in a paranoid society willing to trade fundamental freedoms and principles for a sense of security. by Michael Corthell ( I first wrote this in 2018, I'm editing here to add President Trump's latest Tweet storm dated 12-26-2020 to show just how far down the rabbit hole he's gone: ''Time for Republican Senators to step up and fight for the Presidency, like the Democrats would do if they had actually won. The proof is irrefutable! Massive late night mail-in ballot drops in swing states, stuffing the ballot boxes (on video), double voters, dead voters, fake signatures, illegal immigrant voters, banned Republican vote watchers, MORE VOTES THAN ACTUAL VOTERS (check out Detroit & Philadelphia), and much more. The numbers are far greater than what is necessary to win the individual swing states, and cannot even be contested. Courts are bad, the FBI and “Justice” didn’t do thei...

 

The first modern Christmas tree*  by Michael Corthell Long before the advent of Christianity, evergreens had a special meaning for people during the winter. Just as we today decorate our homes during the festive season with pine, spruce, and fir trees, ancient humans hung evergreen boughs over their doors and windows. In many tribes it was believed that evergreens would keep witches, ghosts, evil spirits, and illness at bay. In December 1846, the popular Illustrated London News published an image* of Queen Victoria standing with Prince Albert and their children around a decorated Christmas tree. Prince Albert was a German and he brought the long standing family tradition to England with him. Christmas trees originated during the Renaissance in early modern Germany . Its 16th-century origins are sometimes associated with Protestant Christian reformer Martin Luther , who is said to have first added lighted candles to an evergreen tree. The earliest known firmly dated representation...

Written & Photographed by Michael Corthell I was out snowshoeing today making paths for our beloved dog Miss Penny to run on. I decided to take my camera with me and I got some great shots of the many icicles lining our eaves.  After I uploaded the photos  I wondered how are those things created?' I kind of remembered from 4th grade, but that was two centuries ago, so I went to my axillary brain, GOOGLE and here's what I've got for you: When temperatures drop below freezing and precipitation falls, the eaves of your house can become suddenly adorned with shimmering spikes of frozen water. What are we talking about? Icicles, of course! If you've ever seen icicles up close, it's clear what they're made of: ice ! Their name even gives away their composition . But how do icicles come to be? It's not like spikes of ice fall from the sky and attach themselves to the eaves of your house. Instead, icicles form through a natural scientific process...

  The greatest dishonor is ingratitude for good received.

Ending 2020 with Positive Affirmations I'm a firm believer in the power of affirmations. We have reached the end of 2020 and are very much in need of some powerful positivity. So when you begin to feel a bit overwhelmed as we close out this year, use these affirmations as your guide to peace and patience.  Let's begin to heal ourselves, the nation and the world. Michael Corthell _______________________ Today, I look for the beauty in everyone and everything. (via  Heal Your Life ) I am grateful for all the good that is coming my way. (via  Heal Your Life ) Today I take a moment to count my blessings. (via  Heal Your Life ) Traffic jams around the holidays give me time to do more affirmations. (via  Heal Your Life ) I have unlimited energy during the holidays and I use it well. (via  Heal Your Life ) I share my love and holiday joy with everyone I meet. (via  Heal Your Life ) My home is a happy place to be during the holidays. (via  Heal Your...

  by Michael Corthell “A time to tear down and a time to build up.” — King Solomon, Ecclesiastes Most people began 2020 with all the hope and optimism that marks any new year. Little did any of us know that a deadly pandemic was beginning on the other side of the world that would have a tremendous impact on people's lives. As we reach the end of this momentous year, millions are feeling that 2020 has been the absolute worst year of their lives. But, history has tells us that all bad things will pass, and that good days will come again. “Everything has its time. There is a time for everything under heaven.” Pete Seeger famously rearranged the words for the song “Turn! Turn! Turn!'' (To Everything There Is a Season) In 1965, it was adapted by The Byrds and became an instant hit. 2020: a time to tear down Many verses in Ecclesiastes seem relevant are a perfect fit for 2020. It was a time to die. Large numbers of our neighbors died from the coronavirus. It was a time to kill...

  “Whatever you do, you need courage. Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising that tempt you to believe your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires some of the same courage that a soldier needs. Peace has its victories, but it takes brave men and women to win them.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson

by Michael Corthell There are some basic skills every real man should know and maybe even be good at. (These skills, of course, are not limited to men!) ''Each day of life brings another lesson. Lesson for today? Speak less and the more you will hear and learn.'' Know how to shake hands. You can tell a lot about a man from his handshake. Know how to take great photos. Every cell phone has a camera, use it. Know how to build a proper fire. An essential life skill for survival and summer camping trips. Know how to cook for yourself and for your family. A real man knows his way around the kitchen. Know how to argue like a Harvard lawyer. This is not screaming and yelling. It is being compelling. Being able to argue your case clearly and effectively is a great skill to master. Know how to dress yourself. It is very important for anyone to look the part and dress for success. Know how to kiss. The first time you kiss can make or break ...

or... Smooth seas don't make for skillful sailors and...  ''Well the first days are the hardest days, don't you worry any more 'Cause when life looks like easy street, there is danger at your door Think this through with me, let me know your mind Woah-oh, what I want to know, is are you kind?'' — Uncle John's Band , The Grateful Dead