My wife Michelle and I recently went to see Glennon Melton speak about her new book, Carry On Warrior. Glennon is a blogger from Florida who has a very successful blog called Momastery.com. Her posts are read by tens of thousands of moms like Michelle (and others) around the world....

As I prepare to speak at the Hay House I CAN DO IT event, I'm experiencing a myriad of emotions -- excitement, nervousness, gratitude, pressure, curiosity, confusion, peace, and more. It's thrilling and humbling to be invited to speak at an event like this with such powerful teachers and authors...

I was talking to a mentor of mine a few weeks ago and I asked him, "Do you think I'm on the right track?" He said to me, "Mike, the issue isn't whether or not you're on the 'right' track; it's that you think there's a 'right' track to begin...

I was recently invited to be a speaker for an upcoming online telesummit called The Power of Purpose. While I'm honored to be a part of this program, the invitation had me pause and reflect a bit about my own life and work, and specifically ask myself the question, "Am...

In a recent session with my counselor Eleanor, she said something simple but profound to me: "Nothing changes until you do." She went on to say, "Mike, you keep trying to control and manipulate the situations, relationships, and outcomes in your life -- thinking that if they changed in the...

How do you feel about change?  If you're anything like me, you probably have mixed feelings about it.  While it often depends on our perception of the type of change -- big or small, good or bad, needed or unnecessary, easy or hard, etc. - most of us seek and...

A few months ago one of my mentors said to me, "Mike, it sounds like you're 'should-ing' all over yourself." I laughed when she said this, as I've heard this saying many times before (and have even given this same feedback to others). However, something about her saying this to...

I sometimes find it challenging to honor my own feelings -- especially if what I want or feel seems to be at odds with other people, or my emotions don't seem to be "appropriate" to the situation.  While I'm not someone who tends to hold back sharing my honest opinions,...

In a recent session I had with my new counselor, Eleanor, she said to me, "Mike, it sounds like embracing powerlessness is something that would benefit you right now." When she said this, a chill went down my spine and my body tightened up. "What do you mean, 'embracing powerlessness'?" I asked....

About a year or so ago I started playing a game with my two girls, Samantha (our 6-year-old) and Rosie (our 3.5-year-old). The game goes like this: I ask each one of them, "How much does daddy love you?" They respond by putting one or both of their arms up...

During a session I had with my new coach last week it became clear to me that I've been addicted to struggle for much of my life. While I wasn't super excited to admit this, it has actually been quite liberating to address my struggle addiction directly and to see...

How do you feel about disappointing others? How about being disappointed yourself? I've recently noticed how much of my conscious and unconscious attention is focused on not disappointing others, while at the same time protecting myself against being disappointed.

As I've been looking at this more deeply, I'm amazed by...

How do you feel when things go well for you? If you're anything like me, you may have some mixed feelings about it, as odd as that seems. While I do love it when things go well and when I'm feeling good, I also notice that sometimes it poses certain...

Something extraordinary happened at Candlestick Park in San Francisco two Saturdays ago, Jan. 14. Sure, it was an amazing ending to an NFL playoff game between the San Francisco 49ers and the New Orleans Saints (which the Niners won in dramatic fashion, making all of us fans here in the...

I was scheduled to fly to Dublin, Ireland a few weeks ago for a speaking engagement and when I got to the airport I realized I'd forgotten my passport at home.  I felt mortified and embarrassed -- and then angry when I realized I wouldn't be able to get on...

I'm sometimes amazed and embarrassed by how critical I can be -- both of other people and of myself. Even though I both teach and practice the power of appreciation (as well as acceptance, compassion and more) when I find myself feeling scared, threatened or insecure (which happens more often...

I'm sometimes amazed and embarrassed by how critical I can be -- both of other people and of myself. Even though I both teach and practice the power of appreciation (as well as acceptance, compassion and more) when I find myself feeling scared, threatened or insecure (which happens more often...

I'm heading to my 15-year class reunion at Stanford this weekend. I'm excited to see some old friends, spend time on campus and attend the various parties, sporting events and fun stuff planned for the weekend. At the same time, I'm feeling quite anxious about the whole experience -- knowing...

I had a painful, but poignant phone conversation earlier this week with my wife Michelle. She shared some challenges with me in a vulnerable and passionate way. As I started to give her some of my "helpful advice" (as I often do -- being a man, as well as an...

Over the past few months, I've been looking at the phenomenon of approval seeking that exists in my life and my relationships. My mother's death has brought up an intense mix of emotions and reflections. Like most people, my mom was a fundamental source of love for me, especially early...