The Official Website of Michael Corthell

Memory: the faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information. Something remembered from the past; a recollection. by Michael Corthell Almost all of us aren't happy with our ability to remember, especially when we want to recall someone's name, a year we did something or a place we visited. How about trying to recall an address? or a telephone number? the time of a meeting etc? Even people who think they have an excellent memory, complain that they forget things. Do you want a better memory? It's all about 'practice makes perfect' and staying interested. ''It is sadder to find the past again and find it inadequate to the present than it is to have it elude you and remain forever a harmonious conception of memory.'' — F. Scott Fitzgerald A memory is like money in the bank, you can only withdraw it if you put it there. Your memory is probably just fine. You may just need to take the time to learn wa...

  Humans are created to create, therefore we can only find relaxation from one kind of work by taking up another -- even if that 'work' is doing nothing.

Managing Rest:  Like time, energy is finite, but unlike time, your energy is renewable through proper rest and nutrition. by Michael Corthell We all like to go on vacation and there are some studies that recommend 5 to 6 weeks as the optimum time off per year.  The same advice applies to breaks taken throughout the day. Taking frequent breaks to increase productivity might seem counterintuitive/productive, but they're more important than ever in our modern working world of constant electronic contact. We're constantly checking and updating our email, Twitter and Facebook in addition to the other stuff we're doing, and we don't take real breaks anymore — we just 'cyber-loaf' by fiddling and diddling on Facebook etc. ''Concentrate all your thoughts upon the work in hand. The Sun's rays do not burn until brought to a focus'' ― Alexander Graham Bell       ...

  “You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.” ―  Dr. Seuss The best cure for insomnia is to get a lot of sleep. “There is a time for many words, and there is also a time for sleep.” ―  Homer,  The Odyssey

"I love my bed..." by Michael Corthell Sleep. Something that comes to us as naturally as breathing—for some. Sleep is a very important part of our lives. It is one of the 'big three' of good health, the other two being eating right and exercising. ''There is a time for many words, and there is also a time for sleep.'' —Homer If you are always lacking a good night's sleep you could be in danger. Not just because just you are groggy and foggy the next day. Chronic, long-term lack of good rest dramatically increases your chances of diabetes, depression, cardiovascular disease, and even weight gain. Try some of these suggestions, and you just may wake up feeling incredibly well-rested. Sleep is foundational so sleep on a good bed.  If you love you bed, you're all set. But if you don't and have to buy a new mattress set, make sure you spend the proper time evaluating it in the store. S...

“People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing.” ―  Dale Carnegie The true purpose of our lives? To make everything a source of enjoyment! “Life is more fun if you play games.” ―  Roald Dahl,  My Uncle Oswald  

by Michael Corthell There is much evidence today that slowing down your life can actually improve your health and your productivity, which will lead you a positive mindset that will increase your happiness. ''Time is too slow for those who wait, too swift for those who fear, too long for those who grieve, too short for those who rejoice, but for those who love, time is eternity.'' —Henry Van Dyke At the beginning of both the industrial age and information age it was promised that objects, and information storage would provide increased productivity for our society, meaning that people could work less and have more time to live a balanced healthy life. That isn't how it played out exactly. We had to wait for a new age—the much anticipated age we a currently entering—the Spiritual Age for that to happen. Why will this age be different? It will be different because of time, or the perception of it and mankind'...

“Time is the most valuable coin in your life. You and you alone will determine how that coin will be spent. Be careful that you do not let other people spend it for you.” ―  Carl Sandburg Time flies and that's okay, as long as you're the pilot. “You get to decide where your time goes. You can either spend it moving forward, or you can spend it putting out fires. You decide. And if you don't decide, others will decide for you.” ―  Tony Morgan  

“Waiting hurts. Forgetting hurts. But not knowing  which decision to take can sometimes be the most painful...” ― José N. Harris Those who can't (or won't) decide what's best for themselves, give someone else the opportunity. “You can't make decisions based on fear and the possibility of what might happen.” ― Michelle Obama

by Michael Corthell We make decisions every day, some consciously, and some sub-consciously. Each one of them has a consequence, some very small, some very noticeable, and some not so noticeable, but some are really big — mind-blowing — even earth shattering in their importance. Sometimes when we choose a certain path we don't know where it will lead. Sometimes we make decisions easily, at other times they can be very difficult. Still at other times we are forced to make them quickly to avoid losing an opportunity or even risk losing our lives. Most people don't know what effect they're having on their own futures by the nature of these decisions. ''Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.'' — Robert Frost Most times, we go through our lives blind to our own thoughts and what actions we are about to take. Every single dec...

“Tact: the ability to describe others as they see themselves.” ― Abraham Lincoln Tact is my ability to step on your toes without messing up the shine on your shoes! “Remember not only to say the right thing in the right place, but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.” ― Benjamin Franklin

by Michael Corthell We've all had to do it―had to tell someone painful or sensitive information at some point in our lives―perhaps some constructive criticism, and knowing that truthfulness is all important, it can be difficult for us to do. What is the best way to give someone 'the news' with honesty? We learn to do it with tact . ''Tact is the ability to tell someone to go to hell in such a way that they look forward to the trip.'' ― Winston S. Churchill When you learn to communicate tactfully, you will strengthen your reputation and build your credibility . Being honest and tactful allows you to keep relationships and build new ones. Your tactful approach shows character, integrity, and maturity. It shows that you are a professional. Tact will also demonstrate that you are well mannered. Communicating with grace and consideration will make you a stand out. You will then get noticed for the right reasons and...

“All truly great thoughts are conceived while walking.” ― Friedrich Nietzsche, Twilight of the Idols The path you decide to walk today will determine where you are tomorrow. “An early-morning walk is a blessing for the whole day.” ― Henry David Thoreau

by Michael Corthell When you realize that you're suffering from anxiety and depression, you may seek out medical treatment. You then will probably go to your primary care doctor to talk about meds. You may look for a therapist. You may even try to take a more holistic approach and use natural remedies. Many people will try all of these things. ''To enjoy the glow of good health, you must exercise.'' —Gene Tunney What most people either don't know or don't want to know is that there is a way of managing anxiety and depression that is considered as powerful as many medicines. It's a method that has few side effects and could even improve your over-all health. Medical studies have shown that physical and mental inactivity can be a cause of depression/anxiety/worry and that the opposite can help at least manage the symptoms and in some cases cure the illn...

“May the forces of evil become confused on the way to your house.” ― George Carlin Evil blossoms when living beings are treated as things. “The world is a dangerous place to live, not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it.” ― Albert Einstein

“Edit your life frequently and ruthlessly. It's your masterpiece after all.” ― Nathan W. Morris In the practice of minimalism I intentionally promote the things I most value in my life and remove anything that devalues it. “The first step in crafting the life you want is to get rid of everything you don't.” ― Joshua Becker

by Michael Corthell Are you happy in your life, or about your life? That is a distinction that must be clearly defined. A regular state of happiness can be defined as an immediate, in-the-moment experience, on the other hand, positive life satisfaction is happiness that exists when we think about our lives as a whole, in its totality by looking at the big picture. Through absorbing the thoughts of people like Thoreau and Emerson, and developing a minimalist mindset, many are finding that a simpler lifestyle provides greater life satisfaction than a relentless pursuit of materialism. We can be happy 'going nowhere', but when we are happy with where we've been, and where we're going, that is thriving and flourishing. Then we can have peace and contentment in our lives. We then can call this state positive life satisfaction . Here are the key factors that contribute to positive life satisfaction: Having p...

“If you aren't in over your head, how do you know how tall you are?” ― T.S. Eliot The greater the difficulty, the greater the satisfaction in overcoming it. “What if evil doesn't really exist? What if evil is something dreamed up by man, and there is nothing to struggle against except out own limitations? The constant battle between our will, our desires, and our choices?” ― Libba Bray, Rebel Angels

“I can and will improve the world. I will smile, show kindness, and be grateful. I refuse to be unhappy.” ― Richelle E. Goodrich, Making Wishes: Quotes, Thoughts, & a Little Poetry for Every Day of the Year Thoughts Do Become Things...  Choose The Good Ones!

by Michael Corthell In order for the transformation of ideas into things, a certain amount of belief is required – a certain mindset that lets you know in your heart that you can, and will , achieve what you set out to do. There is a difference between wishing for something, and actually being ready to receive it. No one is ready for anything, until he believes he can acquire it. When creating a mindset capable of accomplishing anything, keeping it clear of negativity is the number one task; where negativity exists , fear causes doubt, which will eventually kill all grand ideas as well as any chances of prosperity or happiness. An effective tool to keep fear at bay is to bathe in positive thoughts. Positive thinking doesn't mean that you hide your head in the sand and ignore life's negative situations. Positive thinking means that you approach negative situations in a more positive and productive way. You simply think the best is going to happen, not the worst. ...

  “We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorns have roses.” ― Alphonse Karr, A Tour Round My Garden If you can't be grateful for what you have now, what makes you think you'll be happy with more? “Piglet noticed that even though he had a Very Small Heart, it could hold a rather large amount of Gratitude.” ― A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

“Creativity takes courage. ” ― Henri Matisse The more creativity you practice, the more you have. “I never made one of my discoveries through the process of rational thinking” ― Albert Einstein

“We are healthy only to the extent that our ideas are humane.” ― Kurt Vonnegut, Breakfast of Champions From The Original Human Body Owner's Manual : ''Respect your investment by eating healthy foods only.'' “Instead of complaining about problems in your stomach, mind what goes into your stomach to cause the problems in your stomach.” ― Ernest Agyemang Yeboah

“The miracle of life they call it, and it truly is a miracle. The birth of my two children is the closest I have felt to God. I cannot explain it, but there is something about that moment when the baby comes out that is spellbinding and so pure, the most honest, incorruptible moment of my life.” ― Niyati Tamaskar, Unafraid: A survivor's quest for human connection Miracles are not outside of science and nature but only contrary to what we know about science and nature. “Six months from now her baby would be born. Something that had been a single cell, a cluster of cells, a little sac of tissue, a kind of worm, a potential fish with gills, stirred in her womb and would one day become a man-a grown man, suffering and enjoying, loving and hating, thinking, remembering, imagining. And what had been a blob of jelly within her body would invent a god and worship; what had been a kind of fish would create and, having created, would become the battle-ground of disputing good and evil; what ...

''The purpose of religion is not building grand temples, but cultivating positive human qualities like tolerance, generosity and love.' ' —Dalai Lama We are all connected; To each other. To the earth. To the entire universe. That's quantum-ness, that's holiness! “Make your own Bible. Select and collect all the words and sentences that in all your readings have been to you like the blast of a trumpet.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson