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I am.

Who I am is always me, while who I am is emerging. Who I am now is shaped by who I was, while I'm yet still becoming. Who I am now is partially who I have always been, while it is not yet fully who I will be. ~ marty alan michelson, ph.d.

2023 is here.

May this year be, for all, characterized by more peace and flourishing. Toward eupan ~ ~ marty alan michelson, ph.d.

Global Joy Summit! Free - with Archbishop Tutu & the Dalai Lama

You can join the   upcoming Global Joy Summit , a FREE online even running from November 13th to 16th. This is an amazing opportunity to be inspired by the contagious joy and timely message of the  Dalai Lama  and the late, great  Archbishop Desmond Tutu , and learn from 30+ renowned joy scientists, spiritual teachers, changemakers, and artists. The lived experiences of these two global icons, and self-described “mischievous brothers,” serve as a profound example of the  power of joy in the face of adversity . They teach us that joy is an essential key to meeting the many ordinary and profound challenges we now face, individually and collectively. The summit will include a free screening of  Mission: JOY —the laugh-out-loud funny documentary that shares the magical friendship, practical wisdom, and historic final in-person meeting of the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Tutu— as well as inspiring and practical sessions with 30+ speakers. The summit will explore: Practices to transform stress,

In solidarity with our Jewish Friends @ Rosh Hashanah

 In the New Year:  May we hold lovingly in our thoughts those who suffer from tyranny, subjection, cruelty, and injustice, and work every day toward the alleviation of their suffering. May we recognize our solidarity with the stranger, outcast, downtrodden, abused, and deprived, that no human being be treated as "other," that our common humanity weaves us together in one fabric of mutuality, one garment of destiny. May we pursue the Biblical prophet's vision of peace, that we might live harmoniously with each other and side by side, respecting differences, cherishing diversity, with no one exploiting the weak, each living without fear of the other, each revering Divinity in every human soul. May we struggle against institutional injustice, free those from oppression and contempt, act with purity of heart and mind, despising none, defrauding none, hating none, cherishing all, honoring every child of God, every creature of the earth. May the Jewish people, the state of Isra

For our Muslim friends:

 Eid al-Adha Wishes Eid Mubarak! Wishing you a joyous and blessed Eid al-Adha with lots laughter and good health! 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. Eid Ul Adha Mubarak! I pray that Allah showers you with peace and prosperity in this life and in the afterlife. Wishing you and your family a wonderful and blessed Eid al-Adha. Wishing you and your family peace, harmony, happiness, good health and prosperity on Eid. Eid Mubarak to you and everyone at home. May you continue to grow wiser and more charming every day! Eid al-Adha Mubarak!

A Tale of Two Travelers

 “A Tale of Two Travelers" A traveler in an ancient time arrived at the gate of a city and found a gatekeeper sitting at its foot. “What’s it like in this city?” the sojourner asked. “What was it like where you came from?” returned the gatekeeper. “It was a horrible place,” the traveler replied. “There were no jobs, everyone was fighting with each other, and the streets were a mess.” “Well, that’s pretty much what you’ll find here,” the gatekeeper explained. The visitor shook his head and continued on his way. An hour later another traveler approached the city gate. “What’s it like in this city?” he asked the gatekeeper. “What was it like where you came from?” returned the gatekeeper. “Pretty nice, actually,” the traveler replied. “My work was rewarding, people helped each other where they could, and it was a decent place for kids to grow up.” “Well, that’s pretty much what you’ll find here,” the gatekeeper explained. The visitor thanked the gatekeeper and entered the city. The wo

Positive Peace

I'll be honest.  The past years, at least for me, it's been hard to believe that peace can prevail.  The categories of verbal strife that exist between persons, levels of discordant perspectives, and the egregious wealth disparities that exist make it difficult for me to believe we're getting better. Blatant ignore-ance (ignoring) of ways to care for others with SARS-CoV-2 are truly hard for me to discern. Noting that, I want to be a caretaker and advocate for peace - and a better world. If you want to read more about actual metrics that mark issues of peace, let me refer you to the Institute for Economic and Peace - an agency I've been fortunate to work with as an Ambassador. In the link I'll share they advocate for peace with these words: Peace is the prerequisite for the survival of humanity in the 21st century. Without peace, it will not be possible to achieve the levels of trust, cooperation and inclusiveness necessary to solve these challenges, let alone empow

Tomorrow is today . . . now let us begin

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Photograph by Matt Herron / AP Images Martin Luther King Jr., “Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence,” speech at Riverside Church in New York City, April 4, 1967. The couple of lines I have bolded stood out to me personally today. "I sometimes marvel at those who ask me why I am speaking against the war. Could it be that they do not know that the Good News was meant for all men – for communist and capitalist, for their children and ours, for black and for white, for revolutionary and conservative? Have they forgotten that my ministry is in obedience to the one who loved his enemies so fully that he died for them?… We are called to speak for the weak, for the voiceless, for victims of our nation and for those it calls enemy, for no document from human hands can make these humans any less our brothers . . . We are now faced with the fact that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. In this unfolding conundrum of life and history there is such a thing a

Peace & Flourishing

Working to get all things established for Private Practice out of Oregon  - with ability to see clients in any U.S. State. Quite a few things with Oregon State LLC we've established, (4U, LLC), taxable stuff, banking accounts, insurance, website(s) with domain based email. Thus far:   www.peaceandflourishing.com   ("up" though new pics and graphic/logo in process) marty@peaceandflourishing.com ~ marty

Coming in 2022

A multi-state teletherapy practice with Marty Alan Michelson will exist. Check back to this website on the 1st and 15th of each month for updates. Temporary gmail until Business Design & Website is complete: confidentialconsultation@gmail.com   ~ marty

Obviously not accurate, and yet, has a measure of truth.

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I like this whimsical sign. Obviously, we're *not* only in need of water and sun.  We need sleep, companionship, mental stimulation and so much.  And we're not houseplants! And yet, I enjoy how this trivial sign is a reminder, too, that in some ways we really need few tangible things to have a good life.  And, also, we do need to manage our complex emotions. Emotions that include anger, fear, sadness, grief are difficult. My hope is that all persons can live in a world spurned  on by more hopeful and loving emotions. My hope is that all persons can live in a world characterized  by less fractured and hurtful emotions. Let's do more to share water, sun and care & compassion, one to another. Toward eupan ~ ~ marty alan michelson, ph.d.

We get better when we own our actions and apologize

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We can learn how to be better by studying the habits and practices of peace-able persons, peace-making communities, and by studying what has worked to achieve peace between and among persons, individuals and nations. Cinnie Noble has written books and articles to help persons engage conflict toward reconciliation and peace.   Cinnie Noble founded CINERGY® Coaching and is former social worker and lawyer, Cinnie is a certified mediator (C.Med). At her blog today she shared more than the abbreviated version I'll include below - as you are encouraged to read her presentation fully at her site . The reality is people on the receiving end are not always ready for an apology – we might still be processing our hurt about what was said or done; we might not be otherwise ready to move on; we might consider the behaviour exhibited as unforgivable. Some have heard too many apologies from the other person for the same behaviours, and feel trust has broken down irreparably.  . . . 

Can a Virus Push us to become Better?

The impact of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 are intriguing at many levels. It will be interesting to discern the future impact of this pandemic. It has reshaped the world. A few intriguing studies in the news today include: Some personality types are less likely to cohere to social distancing/social care.  Individuals can negatively impact the future of societies. Fossil Fuels may never recover from the impacts.   (Personally, I think fossil fuels will persist for many decades, simply based on the number of "end-user" needs in the forms of current vehicles on the road.) A single nation, acting with social/government intentional impact, while impacted by SARS-CoV-2 has demonstrated they can "conquer" it.  Good Job New Zealand.  And, it's evident that when people acted with some intention in shut-downs and social-distancing - lives were spared from COVID-19.  Social care and social action can make the world safer, better. We can be better. We need more

Communication, Clarity and Data should inform our Social Transformation

I am sharing a comprehensive website about a social change advocacy program with metrics and data about police issues, police policy, and public political policy with safety issues. Because the website and the data are new to me in recent days, I reserve the right to not agree with nor advocate for *every* *individual* issue. The content data within the site, as well as the quality of graphics/handouts, and the presentation of relevant data is important to our public conversation. We can live in a world where the police don't kill people  by limiting police  interventions , improving community  interactions , and ensuring  accountability . A  comprehensive package  of urgent policy solutions - informed by data, research and human rights principles - can change the way police serve our communities. More at  https://www.joincampaignzero.org/ A four-page PDF, with data and their suggested policy changes is at this link . We can be better. We can act better. We ar