tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88518642024-03-28T20:28:53.446-07:00R & R - Reading & Reflecting~ Marty Alan Michelson, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13099064657947931033noreply@blogger.comBlogger449125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8851864.post-17962444721167007302023-12-22T19:14:00.000-08:002024-01-13T22:24:22.778-08:00It's the end of 2023<p> 2023 is coming to an end.</p><p>It's incredible to me the amount of travel, exporation, study, engagement, learning, care and connection that has been part of this year, again! Wow!</p><p>It's been fun the past few months to be back in front of 100+ University students in four on-campus courses - and to be building networks of new friends and colleagues in Idaho.</p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=marty+michelson&crid=3IO3ZTI9OV1HH&sprefix=marty+michelson%2Caps%2C196&ref=nb_sb_noss" target="_blank">Two books published this year!</a> Woot! That may be it for the next many years!</p><p>A few fun opportunities to engage new care for clients are emerging for me in 2024 . . . so we'll see what happens with that - in fields tied to neurofeedback.</p><p>I've got more travel planned for 2024 than I know what to do with - and opportunity to engage online work and online teaching from any location! Hooray!</p><p>I remain invigorated by my work with persons with Severe & Persistent Mental Illness working for a major National Provider - and - with availability for me to sit-in-on instruction with the <a href="https://wellpathcare.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/BSH-Fellowship-Brochure-2023-2024.pdf" target="_blank">Massachusetts Bridgewater State Hospital Postdoctoral Fellowship in Forensic Psychology</a>! Bonus that I get paid to attend the free-to-me-CEU courses! </p><p>For the past three years I partnered in clinical work with a superior, great, caring, diligent, and perspicuous supervisor. This person has been a solid beacon for me and such an important understanding human. She's engaged me with clarity in communication, understanding and wise perception. It's sad that the particularities of our working relationship have had to shift, and yet I am deeply, deeply grateful for superior vision from her for my professional development and maturity. What a joy to have attentive, clear, guiding, maturing supervision! A reminder to me that at every age and different stages of life we need mature guides, wise perspective and discerning counsel from others. I hope to be as good for others as this human has been for me - toward a world that is characterized by more peace and more flourishing.</p><p>So grateful for new friendships fostered in 2023 and deeply meaningful relationships from 2020, 2021, 2022 and pre-COVID to resonate with vibrant meaning in my weekly life and truly my every-day-life! And, to have met so many great new professional psychotherapy colleagues in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Colorado who provide context and meaning to many issues of my professional development and aid in resourcing my questions!</p><p>And, at the end of the 2023, according to <a href="https://harris-sliwoski.com/psychlawblog/oregon-psilocybin-state-of-the-state-2023/" target="_blank">Oregon Health Authority</a> records, just 201 persons are licensed by the OHA to be facilitators engaging persons with psilocybin services - and I was among the first 20 in June . . . and still in that group of just 201 now. </p><p>Life's complexity abounds - and yet the opportunities for providing care and expanding in my own calm clarity abounds yet more!</p><p>~ marty alan michelson</p>~ Marty Alan Michelson, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13099064657947931033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8851864.post-9970938403306573562023-11-04T18:47:00.004-07:002023-11-04T18:47:38.823-07:00Life & Mentorship & Gratitude<p>My life is characterized by so much for which I am grateful.</p><p>Tonight I hosted for dinner, a young couple from the University where I'm active as a Professor.</p><p>It is such a joy to be with young persons with their vitality, their curiosity, their insight, and their desire to be shaped to shape the world to be better.</p><p>This week, the Chair of our College shared with me that a Senior reported to him: "Dr. Michelson's class is the best one I've taken in my four years here!" Fun!</p><p>The Provost of the University recently tasked me with aiding some colleagues in conflict, using my peace and conflict negotiation practices, fostering clarity where mis(sed)ing communication, mis(sed)ing perceptions and mis(sed)ing understandings exist.</p><p>And . . . today, too, as with many days, I engaged a young person in a Suicide Watch and Mental Health Assessment with my contract work in government facilities for some interstate work in Mental Health.</p><p>What a life!</p><p>What a great, grand, wonderful life - to aid others, to mentor others, and to work toward peace and flourishing for all living beings.</p><p>~ marty</p>~ Marty Alan Michelson, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13099064657947931033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8851864.post-3782909762873869562023-08-01T00:36:00.001-07:002023-08-01T00:36:15.408-07:00Changes, Books, and Shift with Great Colleagues<p>In the Fall I'll be teaching University courses as I return to my full-time role as Professor. I'll be back among a host of students and superior faculty colleagues. </p><p>In the past few days, with a colleague, we published a book. What a delight to have worked on a great project with a great friend (who now lives in Thailand) who I've known from my childhood! The book started in 2022, our friendship began in 1973!</p><p>In the past month, my other 2023 book was published. How great that several colleagues and friends informed what emerged in my 2021-2022 project!</p><p>I've recently quit working for an exceptional company in Portland, OR. My boss proved to be a great leader who demonstrated wisdom, insight in compassion, clinical acumen, and leadership vision, and supervision, for how she led and provided direction to me, and to all of us on her team.</p><p>I've cut back nearly all of my Mental Health Professional hours and will only be medically on-call working for another great company, where the Health Services Administrator over our Medical Facility has become a great friend, in addition to her keen oversight and directing me in my roles there.</p><p>I've always loved reading, writing, learning with others, completing great work with others, being shaped by great supervisors, engaged with great leaders, impacted by super colleagues.</p><p>What a life! How great to live it in the company of others!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>~ Marty Alan Michelson, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13099064657947931033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8851864.post-14826993735665537742023-07-15T12:56:00.004-07:002023-07-15T12:56:47.811-07:00Be the best You.<p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Outfit, sans-serif; font-size: 22px; font-style: italic; text-align: center;">There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self.</span></p><cite style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: Outfit, sans-serif; font-size: 22px; text-align: center;"><em style="box-sizing: inherit;">― Ernest Hemingway</em></cite>~ Marty Alan Michelson, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13099064657947931033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8851864.post-87682545691979445052023-07-14T00:32:00.006-07:002023-07-14T00:32:39.900-07:00It's Who You Know - The Privilege of Good Humans<p>It's amazing how much easier life can be when you work with good people.</p><p>This past 9 months . . . it took me several months to get a *responsive* professional to help me with layout and design on my most recently published book</p><p>I finally found a great partner to collaborate with and within weeks - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/CALM-CLARITY-Mindfulness-Peace-Flourishing/dp/B0C6C63KTJ" target="_blank">my 1st Book for 2023 was published!</a></p><p>This same expert was then able to immediately began work on my 2nd book. Book #2 is much more complex in layout features, as it is a workbook with textbooks and numerous font changes. And yet, working with a competent professional, Book #2 should be published within a few weeks! </p><p><b>Boom! </b><u>With a good person - and with good people - good work can be done.</u></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>When you know good people to work with, work is easier.</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Life is better!</b></p><p>I've been fortunate in three decades of professional life to collaborate with and connect with many great people, to work under good bosses and a few superior leaders. I've learned from everyone of them. </p><p>What a delight to be meeting, networking with, building friendships with, and developing professional relationships of depth with so many people in diverse settings in the past few years especially!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>I am privileged to know good people!</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>I'm a better human for knowing them.</b></p><p><br /></p>~ Marty Alan Michelson, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13099064657947931033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8851864.post-74021434187689862732023-06-08T10:06:00.004-07:002024-02-12T14:10:58.613-08:00Oregon Health Authority - Licensed Psilocybin Facilitator<p> <span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: small;">Of 335 million Americans.</span></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><div>Only 19 are Legally Licensed to facilitate Psilocybin for health and wellness in a U.S. State under the Health Authority.</div><div>I am one of those 19 (as of June 2023).</div><div><br /></div><div>Licensed under the Oregon Health Authority, I hope to begin work with a major pharmaceutical corporation's full psychiatric and psychological clinical research project, for which I have made application, in the next weeks.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhnDrcRk5WYQnW2iX6Rtq8h4ax5mtiEr1mLmWS39VL4A45rue6smPr7MPiXMC6Qw_ul0sfB3KyDXJQZgDYx98O400vd_19I0MVCY8NvJyEzHZ9J7_lVfRMVcuj59yE08mHcyXvb3PMo3haF0k65a5vGuGnDXVmBKBkZUESp_D2EcpUSEIEcgbM" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1254" data-original-width="1086" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhnDrcRk5WYQnW2iX6Rtq8h4ax5mtiEr1mLmWS39VL4A45rue6smPr7MPiXMC6Qw_ul0sfB3KyDXJQZgDYx98O400vd_19I0MVCY8NvJyEzHZ9J7_lVfRMVcuj59yE08mHcyXvb3PMo3haF0k65a5vGuGnDXVmBKBkZUESp_D2EcpUSEIEcgbM" width="208" /></a></div><br /><br /></div></div>~ Marty Alan Michelson, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13099064657947931033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8851864.post-76792317466485129802023-05-14T21:45:00.002-07:002023-05-14T21:45:32.517-07:00Oregon State Public Official<p> Another year for Civic Responsibility in Oregon.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj55naft6Ndz_HnoxaRy3hsfa0Q_k8VOamIMfWjJR1HpV0oRkviJLyTOzICknf3eCioGvvTx5CpmDKkfh9wQ2y3DZIXZm8Yr4Se3jN3715vuAVHAPnloNEa4zN7VXZ6ww2ApPpB584Afkz95xfnXpZmgX5P5b-Zttb34pld-UXCOn6XM2UiD9w/s4032/Michelson%20Lincoln%20City%20Budget%20Committee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj55naft6Ndz_HnoxaRy3hsfa0Q_k8VOamIMfWjJR1HpV0oRkviJLyTOzICknf3eCioGvvTx5CpmDKkfh9wQ2y3DZIXZm8Yr4Se3jN3715vuAVHAPnloNEa4zN7VXZ6ww2ApPpB584Afkz95xfnXpZmgX5P5b-Zttb34pld-UXCOn6XM2UiD9w/s320/Michelson%20Lincoln%20City%20Budget%20Committee.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>~ Marty Alan Michelson, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13099064657947931033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8851864.post-12317072832534188512023-05-11T08:48:00.000-07:002023-05-11T08:48:00.161-07:00Many, many good things.<p>My life is characterized by many good things, new opportunities, emerging friendship, new awareness, learning and growth.</p><p>May I ever be humble to learn and may I always be open to care for others.</p><p>May I remain curious, and healthy, and whole. </p><p>~ marty alan michelson, ph.d.</p>~ Marty Alan Michelson, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13099064657947931033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8851864.post-61136838485402995792023-05-07T08:49:00.007-07:002023-05-07T08:49:00.133-07:00Path finding for life<p>Finding your path in life. </p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Cease comparing yourself to others and instead do what is best for you. </li><li>Acknowledge your emotions and take necessary steps to address them. </li><li>Be kind to yourself and avoid negative self-talk. </li><li>Remember that they are not alone . . . and to check on your loved ones. </li><li>Seek help when required . . . in learning new things and in all forms of health (existential, medical, physical, spiritual & mental).</li><li>Engage self-discovery and knowing yourself better. And pursue the life you value.</li><li>Understand your limitations to work within your own learning abilities and stretch goals that do not radically disrupt your safety or comfort.</li></ol><p></p>~ Marty Alan Michelson, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13099064657947931033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8851864.post-73385318474630461912023-04-30T08:48:00.002-07:002023-04-30T08:48:28.343-07:00I am.<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #757575; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Who I am is always me, while who I am is yet emerging. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #757575; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Who I am now is shaped by who I was, while I'm yet still becoming. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #757575; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Who I am now is made up of who I have always been, while it is not yet fully who I will be. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #757575; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">~ marty alan michelson, ph.d.</span></p>~ Marty Alan Michelson, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13099064657947931033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8851864.post-10263516308466967742022-12-31T22:41:00.003-08:002022-12-31T22:41:43.024-08:00And so it begins 2023<p> May this year be, for all, characterized by more peace and flourishing.</p><p>~ marty alan michelson, ph.d.</p>~ Marty Alan Michelson, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13099064657947931033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8851864.post-28790813922511632202022-12-29T19:49:00.002-08:002022-12-29T20:49:35.474-08:002022<p> 2022 is almost a wrap.</p><p>What a year it's been for growth, kindness, development, learning, empathy, exploration, compassion, challenge, maturation, love, friendship and for developing meaningful relationships. Superb.</p><p>My hope for all living beings persists - Lives of Peace and Flourishing!</p><p>Life. Is. Full.</p><p>~ marty alan michelson, ph.d.</p>~ Marty Alan Michelson, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13099064657947931033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8851864.post-22549702978765335352022-11-30T21:57:00.004-08:002022-12-02T09:29:11.108-08:00Life.<p> Who I was is not who I am is not who I am becoming.</p><p>~ marty alan michelson, ph.d.</p>~ Marty Alan Michelson, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13099064657947931033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8851864.post-47985852837408736112022-08-25T08:13:00.006-07:002022-08-25T08:13:26.398-07:00What Your Professors Wish You Knew About College-Level Coursework<p><b>What Your Professors Wish You Knew About College-Level Coursework</b></p><p><b>We want to have a positive relationship with you</b></p><p>The vast majority of us really like students. We want our students to feel safe and engaged in our classrooms -- to benefit from the experience as much as possible. We also think that interacting with you benefits us in all kinds of ways! In other words, we imagine a symbiotic relationship in which all parties can be better off by the time the course ends.</p><p><b>Responsibility for your success has shifted squarely to you</b></p><p>It can be a jolting experience to suddenly be treated like an adult. On the one hand, it's great! You get to set your own schedule, choose your own activities, and probably live apart from mom and dad for the first time. On the other hand, it means that the safety net is also gone. Your parents aren't going to come into your room to drag your butt out of bed for class. Your parents aren't going to be there to repeatedly ask you whether or not your homework is done yet. And perhaps the biggest jolt of all: no one is is going to blame your professors if you fail, like they might have blamed your high school teachers. </p><p>Professors will go to great lengths to help our students succeed. I will always work with struggling students who are putting in the effort. But college professors aren't going to coddle you like you might have experienced in high school. </p><p><b>You and your classmates will get out of your courses what you put into them</b></p><p>Many students fail to grasp that a successful college course is a cooperative project between the professor and the students. Yes, we are the ones that choose the readings, design the assignments, give the lectures, etc, but if you aren't doing the readings, participating in class discussion, engaging with the lectures, then the class is going to quickly become a drag for professor and students alike! </p><p><b>Our job is to help you become a successful college student, not confirm that you were a successful high school student</b></p><p> Students don't always get this. They think that because they were good high school thinkers and writers they should have immediate and high-level success in my courses. After all, they've studied history and written papers before. However, I am teaching them college-level skills. And that may take some effort to master -- definitely some humility. They can get there, for sure, but they don't arrive at college already "there." </p><p><b>You must be proactive in seeking help</b></p><p>I see my students in seated courses less than three hours a week. I don't see my online students ever. This means that it may take me a lot longer than my high school colleagues to realize that a student is struggling. This problem is exacerbated by the fact that college courses tend to have less assignments, meaning performance "red flags" can take even longer to pop up. </p><p>All this means that students must be proactive in seeking help. If you feel yourself struggling in the course, reach out to your professor. Professors will go the "extra mile" for a student who is truly trying and truly dedicated to putting in the hard work to improve.</p><p><b>Most class periods will require some sort of preparation beforehand</b></p><p>Almost all college courses will require you to complete readings before class so that the class can build on what you read. Lectures, class activities, etc, don't just repeat the information in your assigned readings. In addition, you won't be given time in class to complete most assignments. You'll be expected to carve out time outside of class for those, too. </p><p><b>Attendance is more than being a warm body</b></p><p>When students who bomb exams come to see me in my office, I always ask to see their notes. 9/10 students don't have any, or at least have very minimal notes. You must have an effective notetaking system in college. You cannot retain all the information given in college classes by sitting in your seat, arms crossed, trying to soak it all in. If you don't have a good system, check out this notetaking system from Dartmouth.</p><p>Professors totally notice who is staring into space or texting on their "cleverly hidden" phone during class. </p><p><b>You really are responsible for all the information in the syllabus.</b></p><p>When it comes to attendance policy, academic integrity policy -- all the ins and outs of your courses, really -- you are 100% responsible for knowing the information given to you in the syllabus. Pleading after the fact that "I didn't know we could only miss so many classes" or "I didn't know that would be considered cheating" isn't going to get you anywhere.</p><p><b>Grades are not a reflection of effort, intelligence, or potential</b></p><p>It is possible to work hard and still do poorly if you are not demonstrating the skills and/or knowledge that an assignment requires. Grades measure your current level of mastery. Honestly, that's it. Struggling on an assignment or two does not mean you can’t “do college” or are “never going to get it.” It just means that you are still learning how to master something. Many students who struggle on the first assignment or two still go on to have tremendous success in my courses ... if they are willing to apply my feedback, come by office hours, submit drafts beforehand, take advantage of university tutoring services, etc.</p><p><b>We don't know the due dates in your other classes</b></p><p>That might sound like "duh"-level information, but it's really important to think through the ramifications here. It means that your professors aren't working together to make sure that assignments are spread out evenly across the semester. You'll end up with some weeks that you have nothing due ... and then some weeks where you might have 3-4 tests and/or papers! </p><p><br /></p>~ Marty Alan Michelson, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13099064657947931033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8851864.post-4642662387038549572022-07-09T15:42:00.003-07:002022-07-09T15:42:58.753-07:00To my Muslim friends and future Muslim friends:<p>Eid al-Adha Wishes</p><p><br /></p><p>Eid Mubarak! Wishing you a joyous and blessed Eid al-Adha with lots laughter and good health!</p><p><br /></p><p>Wishing you a very happy Eid al-Adha. May the divine blessings of Allah bring you hope, faith, and joy on Eid-Ul-Adha and forever.</p><p><br /></p><p>Eid Ul Adha Mubarak! I pray that Allah showers you with peace and prosperity in this life and in the afterlife.</p><p><br /></p><p>Wishing you and your family a wonderful and blessed Eid al-Adha.</p><p><br /></p><p>Wishing you and your family peace, harmony, happiness, good health and prosperity on Eid. Eid Mubarak to you and everyone at home.</p><p><br /></p><p>May you continue to grow wiser and more charming every day! Eid al-Adha Mubarak!</p>~ Marty Alan Michelson, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13099064657947931033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8851864.post-15969797965515076322022-05-11T22:26:00.008-07:002022-05-11T22:26:00.170-07:00Oliver Sacks<p>There are so many great humans we can learn from.</p><p>I'm so grateful that many years ago I "met" Wendell Berry . . . and Walter Brueggemann and so many other authors whose writings have shaped my existence.</p><p>in the past weeks I was introduced to Oliver Sacks. </p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">How did I not know him? </p></blockquote><p>I'm plundering my fourth book from him now as I work my way through his <i>oeuvre</i>! </p><p>If you're not familiar with him, as I was not - start with the film entitled <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099077/" target="_blank">AWAKENINGS</a>, based on Dr. Sacks life and starring Robin Williams</p><p>And then, as I'm doing - read <a href="https://www.oliversacks.com/books-by-oliver-sacks/" target="_blank">Oliver Sacks books here!</a></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRLQaWKGhoWlU3WkmIr9yxLb7cQxjrjGxhLQ379krIhXyu7fOx1rpzX3MMxRKUMsO38iAdqmYxs0xXjB6bubA_wxkH0_AbLVeIHAHUKTyj2ojMIhkCeCk8fqXFkWJWXj-2dIsVfoc1SG2-K8f5ZABSl0PvK-_E6As2WQrlXNoHWVhZhx0HRH4/s1584/Screen%20Shot%202022-05-09%20at%2010.30.27%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1266" data-original-width="1584" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRLQaWKGhoWlU3WkmIr9yxLb7cQxjrjGxhLQ379krIhXyu7fOx1rpzX3MMxRKUMsO38iAdqmYxs0xXjB6bubA_wxkH0_AbLVeIHAHUKTyj2ojMIhkCeCk8fqXFkWJWXj-2dIsVfoc1SG2-K8f5ZABSl0PvK-_E6As2WQrlXNoHWVhZhx0HRH4/s320/Screen%20Shot%202022-05-09%20at%2010.30.27%20PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>~ Marty Alan Michelson, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13099064657947931033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8851864.post-89487041677171454912022-05-09T22:17:00.001-07:002022-05-09T22:17:17.867-07:00An Oregon Public Official<p>I'm officially an Oregon Public Official! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg58dVwlWcaWN4VpnVQKLQ35RjsGT8rZg9zB9VIwAoiBH2RK8fvpFW6-lNY8GxiKFyIDaZm0edjjYRbR3fh-APVvmwkiR0KqVnwJtEBP2rO3HL-1068cRufUOQz7pzV-T1sGtF00Bct3ODJoJ3h4BnSwtvvqPPd8cLf-zGjgNjICs-7Unb7-IU/s1330/Screen%20Shot%202022-05-09%20at%2010.15.18%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1120" data-original-width="1330" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg58dVwlWcaWN4VpnVQKLQ35RjsGT8rZg9zB9VIwAoiBH2RK8fvpFW6-lNY8GxiKFyIDaZm0edjjYRbR3fh-APVvmwkiR0KqVnwJtEBP2rO3HL-1068cRufUOQz7pzV-T1sGtF00Bct3ODJoJ3h4BnSwtvvqPPd8cLf-zGjgNjICs-7Unb7-IU/s320/Screen%20Shot%202022-05-09%20at%2010.15.18%20PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNMTeCYqtU8vqqBB2a6w12PpPpjUpt5M6XK4CDEqcbiq_TNI6YTHGkBRTVgkAjY6pKfvWAQc7vmF9GSCPw7PInK3s_sKi02uNIiPbGfkaDH2BtLK5zg4ogXKLkLwBVtf9050LAu0VSTXoImdgRtXt2fIEuGul-H57fV4sZFWB5VXkrYXVePDQ/s3088/IMG_0749%25202.HEIC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2320" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNMTeCYqtU8vqqBB2a6w12PpPpjUpt5M6XK4CDEqcbiq_TNI6YTHGkBRTVgkAjY6pKfvWAQc7vmF9GSCPw7PInK3s_sKi02uNIiPbGfkaDH2BtLK5zg4ogXKLkLwBVtf9050LAu0VSTXoImdgRtXt2fIEuGul-H57fV4sZFWB5VXkrYXVePDQ/s320/IMG_0749%25202.HEIC.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVdNMlYiRlbcAZBLAz1HyWuFXh21B57f_wkXmZG-43jHC6erh1aYIkagH_Qr_krKHqMM81BLedL6leZOqt_ZMGFcz_YjJ1xnTs4QDI1PwzxnV7Bo5mgwuR1KeIHWE5lCiMGEUTwjmDDW0s7cCqfXt41omB12TwiLnJ8iBpcVaS-w7gSrCjxuM/s3088/IMG_0754%25202.HEIC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2320" data-original-width="3088" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVdNMlYiRlbcAZBLAz1HyWuFXh21B57f_wkXmZG-43jHC6erh1aYIkagH_Qr_krKHqMM81BLedL6leZOqt_ZMGFcz_YjJ1xnTs4QDI1PwzxnV7Bo5mgwuR1KeIHWE5lCiMGEUTwjmDDW0s7cCqfXt41omB12TwiLnJ8iBpcVaS-w7gSrCjxuM/s320/IMG_0754%25202.HEIC.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>~ Marty Alan Michelson, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13099064657947931033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8851864.post-25580987740554448682022-02-18T08:39:00.004-08:002022-02-18T08:39:37.272-08:00Breath, Sleep, Happiness, Neuroscience & Stoicism<p>Too many things going on in life to keep up with this blog in the past couple of years . . . which is a bummer as I still read many books, and increasingly *try* to keep up with too many podcasts!</p><p>It has been the case that fully half of my book-reading consumption has been in more clinical and thus, more "boring" contexts in the past few years. While the books I've been reading that inform clinical therapy and practices to engage, for example, Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing theory and practices is important to me, it won't matter much to the average reader.</p><p>I realized I haven't posted anything in 2022 and had a prompt from a Graduate Student who asked me about good books to read . . . which serves as a prompt for me to "catch up" on this blog by perhaps reviewing some of the books I've read in the past couple of years.</p><p>So - here are a few recent good reads:</p><p>It's clear that the way we breath impacts our life. It is obvious that breathing is something we do - unconsciously. What is less obvious is the fact that we can shift our breathing and our breathing can shift our life. </p><p>I've personally benefited from (nearly weekly) and value the very simple methods offered by <a href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=wim+hof&crid=2C6UOHOT3VHMA&sprefix=wim+hof%2Caps%2C136&ref=nb_sb_noss_1" target="_blank">Wim Hof both in his writings and in his books</a> or interviews. His simple 30 deep inhalations and 30 deep exhalations in a calm state (no other complexity, no timing, no pacing, just 30 deep breathes) has helped me find mid-day calm many times. </p><p>Beyond Wim Hof, I recommend <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Breath-New-Science-Lost-Art/dp/0241289122/ref=sr_1_1?crid=47OSHUTJQ7L1&keywords=breath&qid=1645200108&sprefix=breath%2Caps%2C147&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art Paperback by James Nestor</a> as a great introduction to the science of breathing. [ For more on the "philosophy" of breathing for mindfulness, of course, Thich Nhat Hanh.]</p><p>Shawn Achor has written several books on Positive Psychology and the Science of Happiness. It's likely the case that I've reviewed other books by him elsewhere. The stories in this book, along with some practical steps, are good - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Before-Happiness-Achieving-Spreading-Sustaining/dp/0770436730/ref=sr_1_4?crid=3IXOBDLN6H5NU&keywords=shawn+achor&qid=1645200016&sprefix=shawn+achor%2Caps%2C161&sr=8-4" target="_blank">Before Happiness: The 5 Hidden Keys to Achieving Success, Spreading Happiness, and Sustaining Positive Change</a> Among various issues in the book, I loved a simple practice he explains about gaining an "add-vantage" in life. We simply "add" a new "vantage" point for looking at a problem. In viewing a problem from a different perspective, we might be able to see it anew and find a fresh solution or perspective. Adding a vantage point gives us an advantage on the problem. Great!</p><p>Sleep is super important. Really. Very, critically important. And our world's cultural patterns don't celebrate this or respect it. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Why-We-Sleep-Unlocking-Dreams/dp/1501144316" target="_blank">Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams by Matthew Walker</a> will give you perspective on the science of sleep and how to sleep more/better.</p><p>One of the more enjoyable reads I've had in the past year, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Tale-Dueling-Neurosurgeons-Revealed-Recovery/dp/0316182354/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=the+tale+of+dueling+neurosurgeons&qid=1645200957&s=books&sprefix=the+tale+of+deuling+%2Cstripbooks%2C143&sr=1-1" target="_blank">The Tale of the Dueling Neurosurgeons: The History of the Human Brain as Revealed by True Stories of Trauma, Madness, and Recovery by Sam Kean</a>. Kean deftly weaves together narrative stories of of history alongside the development of neuroscientific studies. I enjoyed the stories, as much as what I learned. A book worth reading a 2nd time, for sure! </p><p>Finally, I've been reading both *from* the Stoics and in the study of Stoicism quite a bit in the past year. Including podcasts and videos, it's probably the case that I should call the latter half of 2021 as my "deep dive" into Stoicism. I've read at least <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ryan-Holiday/e/B007LUHFH8?ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vu00_tkin_p1_i2" target="_blank">eight books by Ryan Holiday </a>and he is an "evangelist" for Stoicism, indeed. A couple of minor bits. I have been shaped by Ryan and his presentations and that is super. I wish he had someone else read his audiobooks, as I find his pacing to be a bit off. His short videos on youtube in many ways are *really* great. I especially love that he has clear descriptions in his videos where a person can "click" to the minute mark of each point. Very nice. One thing I don't like (or at least don't like "right now" with him is that he has about 10-20 key points from Stoicism, and every.single.video/teaching comes back to these few points. In some ways, that is *the* point, I suppose, though I do feel a sense that once you get him, you've got him. </p><p>To all . . . wishing you a life of peace and flourishing!</p><p><br /></p>~ Marty Alan Michelson, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13099064657947931033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8851864.post-13037313427596891922021-11-03T19:36:00.004-07:002021-11-03T19:36:49.513-07:00Peace and Flourishing<p>Working to get all things established for Private Practice out of Oregon - with ability to see clients in any U.S. State.</p><p>Quite a few things with Oregon State LLC we've established, (4U, LLC), taxable stuff, banking accounts, insurance, website(s) with domain based email.</p><p>Thus far: </p><p><a href="http://www.peaceandflourishing.com">www.peaceandflourishing.com</a> ("up" though new pics and graphic/logo in process)</p><p><a href="mailto:marty@peaceandflourishing.com">marty@peaceandflourishing.com</a></p><p><br /></p><p>~ marty</p>~ Marty Alan Michelson, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13099064657947931033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8851864.post-43578368478107161912021-10-22T12:51:00.010-07:002021-10-23T08:10:16.726-07:00Coming in 2022<div><div><div><p>A multi-state teletherapy practice with Marty Alan Michelson will exist.</p><div>Check back to this website on the 1st and 15th of each month for updates.</div><div><br /></div></div><div><div>Temporary gmail until Business Design & Website is complete: <a href="mailto:confidentialconsultation@gmail.com">confidentialconsultation@gmail.com</a> </div><div><br /></div><div>~ marty</div></div></div></div>~ Marty Alan Michelson, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13099064657947931033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8851864.post-51390454203009139632021-02-06T15:49:00.000-08:002021-02-06T15:49:17.506-08:00Progress<p>I feel like I have to be making progress on some task, and usually some tasks, everyday.</p><p>I'm not good at relaxing.</p><p>Late Summer and Fall 2020 involved quite a bit of re-orientation to new work as Clinical Mental Health Counselor. From diagnosis to billing insurance for mental health assessments, there was much to engage.</p><p>October 2020 - I "moved" from Oklahoma to Oregon and have been serving as pastor to the Eugene, Oregon Fairfield Church of the Nazarene. (Links to Sunday Sermons <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-xmcrPQc6G6ReY2TgH1OYw/featured" target="_blank">their youtube site here</a>, toggle to November 2020 to January 2021 for what I shared.)</p><p>January 2021: I passed the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) National Counselors Exam (NCE) and <a href="https://youtu.be/a6ThdDYU76Y" target="_blank">created a video to help others succeed in passing the NCE</a>.</p><p>I've been hiking or skiing in the Oregon Cascades at least one day per week - or - one day per week at the Oregon Coast. I love, love Oregon. I've helped many persons in various issues personally or in projects in the past week - from chopping wood to serving the homeless.</p><p>Life's curious. Even in "my happy place" in Oregon and with emerging professional achievements, I still don't feel like I accomplish enough most days. And, there are many days where loneliness is clearly present in my existential awareness.</p><p>Alas. </p><p>Life.</p><p>Meaningless, meaningless . . . everything is meaningless. </p><p>Most urgently, I miss my wife and her dog, Lulu (Punky-Diddle). </p><p>SARS-CoV-2 and the way humans are freely offering their bodies as carriers for SARS-CoV-2 to mutate to infect more people, is distressing. The last months of 2020 and first month of 2021 in American non-bi-partisian-ship and disruptions have been distressing. </p><p>Meaningless, meaningless . . . everything is meaningless. </p><p><br /></p>~ Marty Alan Michelson, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13099064657947931033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8851864.post-76716859118511776182020-08-11T05:41:00.003-07:002020-08-11T05:41:45.267-07:00Trauma, Tornadoes and SARS-CoV-2<p>In my early 20s, I distinctly remember a conversation with another Graduate student about one aspect of his childhood. While we lived in California, he narrated growing up in Oklahoma for a portion of his childhood, and as one of the few facts he cited, he shared the fear he had of the Tornado Sirens that would blast their warning.</p><p>Having grown up in Oregon, with no fears of any inevitable cataclysm, I remember thinking how sad it was to grow up afraid.</p><p>Ironically, as I would end up teaching in Oklahoma for over 20 years, each of our children would grow up with this same fear - the T.V. New Anchors are famous in Oklahoma - sadly, like local celebrities "We'll keep you informed" - as they tell people to "Take Shelter Now" as tornadoes approach. It is genuinely scary for children. I am certain it instills trauma in some. And, for those who experience a tornado that ruptures homes, it disrupts everything and kills.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n9ariVPik9w/XzKRvYZvxtI/AAAAAAAAIis/w08RW_GAUVIBRu3rJNfOTff_-uH9Xb4eQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1200/tornado.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1200" height="205" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n9ariVPik9w/XzKRvYZvxtI/AAAAAAAAIis/w08RW_GAUVIBRu3rJNfOTff_-uH9Xb4eQCLcBGAsYHQ/w410-h205/tornado.jpg" width="410" /></a></div><p>For my part, I never told my kids when Tornados were active - - except when they could see the obvious disruption in stark weather out the window. I prepared the house and readied our items for Tornado precautions (basement, etc), - I stayed alert to the news and tracking, though I did my best to insure our children did not experience every storm event as a trauma/tornado event. And, most threats of tornados did not produce a tornado, and even when tornados were "on the ground," they only impacted small areas/acreages of impact. [Of course, where a tornados hits, even a few acres - it causes massive, immediate chaos.]</p><p>While I understand that people "need" to live in Oklahoma, and natural tragedies can come in many forms any place on every continent, I wish Trauma could be mitigated or avoided.</p><p>The current situation of SARS-CoV-2 seems, to me, to be a wide-scale, across every county and every State in America "tornado" of sorts. I fear that *across* America the poor posture of "dealing with" SARS-CoV-2 and how it has been presented to children, now being forced back to school, only to be going home soon and/or to be facing rolling quarantines, is causing trauma to millions of children. Granted, some things must be done to mitigate the spread of SARS-CoV-2. [ I have been for the successful New Zealand, sensible, calm, scientific, full-lock-down, engaged approach of the populace, myself!] </p><p>I am certain not enough people are considering the long-term, life-long trauma for social factors and relationships and human development that is *right now* impacting children - and will shape them for their entire life's journey.</p><p>It makes me sad that adults, leaders, humans with maturity - have chosen to not be more wise, caring, sensible, and compassionate to all children and all living beings. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>~ Marty Alan Michelson, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13099064657947931033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8851864.post-32171337247823172842020-07-18T08:04:00.001-07:002020-07-18T08:04:19.051-07:00Overdose, accidents and gun violence.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<blockquote>
"More than 140,000 Americans have already died from the coronavirus, meaning that in the span of six and a half months, SARS-CoV-2 has killed more people than the number of Americans who die each year from opioid overdose (46,000), traffic accidents (36,500), and gun violence (40,000) combined." </blockquote>
<blockquote>
"The COVID-19 pandemic isn't subsiding in the U.S., with more than 70,000 new cases per day as of July 15."</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: right;">
Source: <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2020/07/18/time-sensitive-which-biotech-company-has-the-most.aspx" target="_blank">The Motley Fool </a></div>
<br />
While all living things will die in some way, from some cause, at some time - it is unfortunate that we plummet the worlds resources and refuse to hold in check our privileges, while more persons die earlier than is necessary - if only we cared more and acted differently.<br />
<br />
Toward <i>eupan</i> ~<br />
<br />
~ marty alan michelson, ph.d.<br />
<br /></div>
~ Marty Alan Michelson, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13099064657947931033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8851864.post-31640487029668043212020-07-08T07:27:00.000-07:002020-07-08T07:27:21.038-07:00Caring for what we know and don't know - by Wendell Berry<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Late Summer Fields (2018)<br />
<br />
• • •<br />
<br />
To care for what we know requires<br />
care for what we don’t, the world’s lives dark in the soil,<br />
dark in the dark.<br />
<br />
Forbearance is the first care we give<br />
to what we do not know. We live<br />
by lives we don’t intend, lives<br />
that exceed our thoughts and needs, outlast<br />
our designs, staying by passing through,<br />
surviving again and again the risky passages<br />
from ice to warmth, dark to light.<br />
<br />
Rightness of scale is our second care:<br />
the willingness to think and work<br />
within the limits of our competence<br />
to do no permanent wrong to anything<br />
of permanent worth to the earth’s life,<br />
known or unknown, now or ever, never<br />
destroying by knowledge, unknowingly,<br />
what we do not know, so that the world<br />
in its mystery, the known unknown world,<br />
will live and thrive while we live.<br />
<br />
And our competence to do no<br />
permanent wrong to the land<br />
is limited by the land’s competence<br />
to suffer our ignorance, our errors,<br />
and — provided the scale<br />
is right — to recover, to be made whole.<br />
<br />
• Wendell Berry<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1619029421/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1619029421&linkCode=as2&tag=intemonk04-20&linkId=403fe5017a662a3b6ccfd7721e96e252" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; font-family: Merriweather, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; outline: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">A Small Porch: Sabbath Poems 2014 and 2015</strong></a></div>
~ Marty Alan Michelson, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13099064657947931033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8851864.post-22240577319147592582020-07-02T22:01:00.001-07:002020-07-02T22:01:25.433-07:00I gave up on Facebook<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I gave up on Facebook two years ago.<br />
<br />
Even though I used the platform intentionally to be positive and a peacemaker - I realized the platform became a breeding ground for dissension, strife, and attacks.<br />
<br />
It seems to me what I experienced on Facebook is becoming more "mainstream" in everyday interactions.<br />
<br />
It feels to me that people are more bitter, more condescending, more aggressive and more willing to be caught up in petty dissent and/or outright flagrant arguments - in the grocery store or at the gasoline pump.<br />
<br />
It makes me sad.<br />
<br />
We can be better.<br />
<br />
We can be peaceable.<br />
<br />
We really do need each other.<br />
<br />
The future of human flourishing - and the flourishing of all living things - depends on our communal care.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
~ Marty Alan Michelson, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13099064657947931033noreply@blogger.com0