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, “Life Is a Mystery: Good Shots Too Rare,” weighs whether we are following our heads or our hearts.
John Michael’s newest Life Is a Sweet, Tender Bruise column, “Waiting on Either the Apocalypse or the Government to Show Up,” shares insights into managing trauma.
John Michael’s newest Life Is a Sweet, Tender Bruise column, “On Passing: I Love You Dad and I Am Glad You Are My Father,” shares about the passing of his father.
John Michael’s newest Life Is a Sweet, Tender Bruise column, “Lots of Long Hallways Looking Just the Same,” shares about visiting his dad in the hospital and pondering life.
John Michael’s newest Life Is a Sweet, Tender Bruise column, “Thoughts on Maleness: Knight in Armor, Shiny or Tarnished,” talks about growing up with his dad and thoughts on maleness.
John Michael’s newest Life Is a Sweet, Tender Bruise column, “Have You Cut Yourself Off from the Truth? Learn How to Have Some Fun,” is about truth, trust, and intimacy.
John Michael’s newest Life Is a Sweet, Tender Bruise column, “The Love You Didn’t Realize You Had, Turns Into the Attention You Seek,” is about facing and embracing all that life offers.
John Michael’s column Life Is a Sweet, Tender Bruise ponders life and people. In “I Love Money,” he talks about weight gain, weight loss, and anxiety around money.
John Michael’s column Life Is a Sweet, Tender Bruise ponders life and people. In “Get the Honky-Tonk Fever,” he encourages everyone to add more dancing to their lives.
John Michael’s column Life Is a Sweet, Tender Bruise ponders life and people. In “More Tragic, Too Common,” he shares about driving around people in need and common stories among them.