Unscripted
What to do when reset gets stuck
What I’ve never really tried is to separate all of those mini-Michelles so that I could give them each the attention and love they deserve.
Sep 22nd, 2009 by Michelle Sieg
Art for the girl I used to be
I’ve made an entire career out of putting ideas and words on display for clients and audiences. So, why is art different?
Sep 10th, 2009 by Michelle Sieg
A road called Hope
Not just a cross street, but a crossroads.
Aug 6th, 2009 by Michelle Sieg
The answers are history
On relationships and making life's tough choices: when it comes to multiple choice questions, most of us actually do know the “right” answer – whether we choose it or not.
Jul 23rd, 2009 by Michelle Sieg
Karma’s a bitch. Or is it?
On a bad day, I think the ouchy kind of karma is God saying, “Na-na-na-boo-boo.” But it’s more likely something like, “Listen, I’m paying more attention than you think. So shape up and give that whole ‘do unto others’ thing some more thought, wouldya?” The thing is, even though I’ve made some questionable decisions in my youth, in haste and/or under the influence, I’m generally a nice person. So what gives with this whole boomerang effect anyway?
Jun 26th, 2009 by Michelle Sieg
The brave, the proud, & Cyndi Lauper: Pride Fest
Pride Fest is not about exclusivity, and I hope we can all get together for a beer June 12 – 14. I promise you don’t have to wear rainbows (and in fact, I prefer that you don’t). Plus, I don’t even think any of the headliners are gay. Although Cyndi Lauper has been known to drape herself in a Pride flag. And Etta James may or may not have had affairs with women. Oh and then there’s Brandy, which sounds like something only a retired gay man would drink.
Jun 4th, 2009 by Michelle Sieg
Love conquers 8
All lesbians and gays really want is equality. And mostly, they would like to just be normal, all-American married people - maybe even with a house, a yard, some kids and a dog. To most gays, a "boring" married life would mean people have finally stopped seeing them as different. And who wouldn't want that kind of excitement?
May 31st, 2009 by Michelle Sieg
Who was that woman in the minivan?
What was it about the driver's morning that made her accelerate so quickly? What was it that made those men crossing the street seem invisible to her? And why would she blame them for making her late to a job she probably doesn't even like? Or was it possible I was just misreading the situation?
May 20th, 2009 by Michelle Sieg
Decision making 101010
Awhile back I came across an article about author and commentator Suzy Welch, who recently published a book on her new10-10-10 Rule. The idea behind this decision-making trick is to ask yourself a series of questions: Will this decision matter in 10 minutes? Does it matter in 10 months? How about in 10 years? And what is the impact of this decision within these time frames?
May 17th, 2009 by Michelle Sieg
The speed of life
The average person takes in 3000 advertising messages per day. That’s just unsolicited ad messaging; it doesn’t even include texts, tweets, Facebook updates, emails or normal business dialogue. Plus, that stat is from 2007, meaning it's completely outdated. On a side note: Does anyone remember writing papers in high school using a bibliography page? You know the one, filled with books published in 1982 and still thought to be relevant?
May 7th, 2009 by Michelle Sieg
All left turns
As someone who often blurs the lines between spiritual and secular, I’m a big fan of “Turn, Turn, Turn” by the Byrds. The song’s peace-anthem lyrics, which were inspired by Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, still feel relevant today. As I was researching the penman, Pete Seeger, I noticed a comment that asked, “What’s an Ecclesiastes?”At first, that question made me chuckle. After more than 15 years of religion classes, Ecclesiastes is just as common to me as, say, Deuteronomy. But when I started thinking back over these and other Old Testament books, I also realized the truth behind the statement: “The more things change, the more they stay the same.” Maybe one reason the world is round is because everything really does come full circle. When Ecclesiastes was written, most of the population was working “green” jobs, such as sheep herding, fishing, farming and baking (with 100% organic ingredients). But there was another occupation that was fairly common too – which was serving in the army. And that brings us right back around to that 1965 anti-war song. Regardless of our beliefs, life does seem cyclical, doesn’t it? That’s why I’m convinced the world (heck, the entire universe) has its own rhythm. And even though we mortals can influence it to a great extent, there must be something (or in my belief system, someone) more powerful orchestrating it all. The thing is, I’m not sure if that realization comforts me or worries me. As a bit of a control freak, I’m much more comfortable being in charge than being at someone else’s mercy. And God knows this past decade alone has seen its fair share of blindsides. So what’s our paradigm today, in 2009 A.D.? It certainly has shifted since the days of Solomon and even the young days of Roger McGuinn. Is it possible to have the power and wealth (and sometimes, greed) of modern times and expect the peace and quiet of simpler days? Or am I being too romantic by imagining that peace ever existed in its truest form? And that greed didn’t? Wherever the lines are and no matter how blurred they’ve become, I have hope. I’ve seen the wonder of spring in my nieces and nephews, but I also saw my grandparents through the fall and winter of their lives. It’s those bookends – and all that lives in between – that remind me it’s all connected. We’re all really jogging on the same big track where there are plenty of turns, except ultimately they’re all in the same direction. I believe the tide will turn. In time, war will give way to peace. Tears will become laughter. Poverty will be changed into wealth. And that’s just the beginning of a brand-new upswing. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 from the Old Testament To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted A time to […]
Apr 23rd, 2009 by Michelle Sieg
Blooming, unscathed
I recently went through a time when it felt like the world was against me. There seemed to be obstacles at every corner. And a few wrong turns in general. It got to the point where conflicts at work, home and within myself were distracting me from the same. So I set out to find the cause. I pointed my finger over there. Complained a little over here. Had a couple beers. And waxed poetic against the great injustices in my life – including the people I felt were orchestrating them. Then I spent some time reviewing a mental filmstrip of recent occurrences . . . When did I break that mirror? How could a black cat cross my path without me noticing it? And why on earth (so to speak) does mercury always seem to be in retrograde? Then it hit me. If it wasn’t the universe throwing my life off orbit, maybe it was me. This realization didn’t happen over night or come to me in a dream. It came from a series of conversations with myself and others. And it caused me to both pause and take action. I remembered the retreat I went on last spring and how that week at Solitude Ridge had impacted me. While I was out there, I passed the time by writing, listening to music, listening to the silence and doing a lot of hiking. I cooked nutritious food and took lots of naps. I reconciled a few things and made peace with the things I couldn’t. It was all very “Closer to Fine” of me. One of the most important things I realized during that retreat was exactly how much I don’t have control over. For example, one night there was a terrible thunderstorm, which saturated the ground and even damaged a few small trees. But the next morning, wild flowers were blooming, unscathed. Being out there also allowed me to evaluate whether I was using the powers I do have to their fullest extent. I recalled a conversation with a dear friend a few years back. We were debating how much of life is predetermined and how much is not. I firmly stated that I believe in fate. And to my surprise, she said she didn’t. What? Who says that? Who disagrees with one of the most romantic sentiments ever invented? Hasn’t she seen “Serendipity”,“You’ve Got Mail” or “Lady and the Tramp”? But then she explained . . . If we trust everything to fate, we’re surrendering one of our most important human traits – free will. Yes, things happen to us. And sometimes they’re horrible. And no, I can’t explain them. But maybe that’s why it’s so important for us to exercise control over the things we actually can impact. There’s a book out there called Change the Way You See Everything. It’s a pretty short read with long-term advice about how focusing on what’s right goes a lot further than focusing on what’s wrong. This book, which was a gift from my boss, […]
Apr 17th, 2009 by Michelle Sieg
