Hello, good people. I am rarely sure how to describe myself. If I say I am a Christian, many things may arise in your mind that ain't necessarily so. I was homeless for seven years and learned more about myself in that stretch of time than in any other segment of my life. I read the Bible a lot out there and came across a passage in Proverbs that has shaped my approach to life: "A man's pursuit is his kindness." I am well educated with a Master of Social Work degree and have worked a wide variety of jobs in my 52 years. None have lasted too long however. When I was homeless, the beauty of Texas wildflowers made me decide to want to live again. Along with kindness, beauty, play, and self-expression are life-guiding ideas. My shadow contains things like feeling sorry for myself, a truckload of defiance, a desperate need to please women, and no small amount of cruelty. A quote from Luke also has had a lasting effect on me: "For God is kind to the ungrateful and the evil." When I read that I thought, "Hell, I have got a fighting chance." I am here to tell you, you have a fighting chance as well. Besides Christianity, practicing Buddhist and Shamanic techniques inform my relationship to God and the world.
John Michael’s newest Life Is a Sweet, Tender Bruise column, “A Quiet Mind Hears More Clearly,” is about contentedness, quieting your mind and truly listening to the universe.
John Michael’s newest Life Is a Sweet, Tender Bruise column, “I Am My Own Man,” shares about his dad, growing up in Lewiston, Idaho, and being his own man.
John Michael’s newest Life Is a Sweet, Tender Bruise column, “Saving the Planet: Value and Celebrate the Spiritual Mother,” considers repairing spiritual damage to save the physical.
John Michael’s newest Life Is a Sweet, Tender Bruise column, “Without Sadness, There Would Be No Tenderness,” supports adding more kindness and affection to our days.
John Michael’s newest Life Is a Sweet, Tender Bruise column, “Music (and Elvis) as Inspiration and Healing,” looks at the influence that Elvis has played on his life.
John Michael’s newest Life Is a Sweet, Tender Bruise column, “Anxiety Is Your Past Calling Out,” examines anxiety, paranoia, self-forgiveness, and marijuana use.
John Michael’s newest Life Is a Sweet, Tender Bruise column, “The Universe Inside Us,” ponders our context and place, both inside and out.
John Michael’s newest Life Is a Sweet, Tender Bruise column, “Sitting in the Quiet, Allowing Emotions,” talks about embracing emotions rather than distracting from them.
John Michael’s newest Life Is a Sweet, Tender Bruise column, “Another Cracked Phone: Karma, I Suppose,” talks about James and his karma with women and phones.
John Michael’s newest Life Is a Sweet, Tender Bruise column, “It’s More About One’s Attitude Towards Life,” shares his thoughts about prayer, and meeting a couple of unique characters.