Discovering Michael: An Inspirational Guide to Personal Growth & Self-Discovery

by Michael James

Check out the video trailer on book below! See more on book website at: www.discoveringmichael.com

Award winning book on topic of personal growth and self-discovery.
- Beverly Hills Book Awards
- Pacific Rim Book Festival
- The Great Northwest Book Festival
- New England Book Festival

"A deeply sincere guide for survivors of past trauma in search of self-actualization."
Kirkus Indie - A review service from Kirkus Reviews, 11/24/2014

Discovering Michael is an inspirational guide for those interested in personal growth and self-discovery. It provides you with an understanding from a “users” perspective of what the journey is like, along with the “tools” that are available to help you achieve your personal goals. Mostly, I hope, this will be a catalyst and inspiration for your own growth, a decision to take that long and hard look within to identify and change those unhealthy beliefs about yourself and of life itself. Discovering Michael is a guide filled with bits of wisdom and suggestions to help you find and experience the love, meaning and happiness you deserve in your own life!

Part One shares my personal story about growing up in a physically, mentally and emotionally abusive home, and in particular, what I realized were the issues I carried forward and how I came to confront them. The purpose of this section is to help you begin the process of self-reflection by taking a hard and honest look at yourself. More important than the details of my story is your reflection of your own life and what you choose to do with this knowledge. My story is intended to be a catalyst for you to begin reflecting on your own past and how it has affected you. There may be aspects of my life to which you can relate, or there may not be. What tends to be the same, however, is that we share something in common--a painful past. Accepting this truth is necessary to find out what exists at the core of our beliefs about ourselves, and about life itself. Our beliefs are the basis for our attitudes and our actions, and if tainted, often the result from experiencing trauma, we can have distorted beliefs and display dysfunctional behaviors. Attempting to change our attitudes and behaviors without discovering what is behind them would simply be treating the symptoms versus the cause. There may be a temporary relief from the situation or issue, but chances are it will return.

The desire to share my story is not to seek pity or condolences, but rather to help you begin the process of self-discovery. The power of sharing comes from the effect it has on others. When we listen to, observe or read about the experiences of another, we react based on our own perceptions of what we just learned. Our reactions are opportunities to learn something about ourselves. The challenge for you is to find out more about yourself.

Part Two provides you with ideas to get started. I refer to these as "Tools for Self Discovery." I provide you with my own experiences using these tools along with the feedback I have heard from others. Again, I do not consider myself to be an expert in any of these areas. However, using my experiences as a guide, I feel qualified to share with you my knowledge of the tools, and their advantages and disadvantages. Many of the tools are free and simple to learn, and you should be able to find a tool that matches your budget and level of commitment. They include personality tests, journals, workshops, therapy and counseling, support groups, affirmations and self-help books.

​Part Three begins with reviewing the challenges associated with personal growth, which is CHANGE. Change is inevitable and change is tough. The goal is to learn how to accept change as a part of life. We may not like it, but change is an integral part of growth; resisting it will only result in stagnation. Change often resurrects one of our primal fears--the fear of the unknown.

Throughout my growth experience I have had the pleasure of observing many people--noting their behaviors and attitudes in different situations, and my reactions to them--and learning from such observations. I have discerned several distinct characteristics and consistent patterns regarding personal growth and development. Part Three includes highlights of my observations and the meanings I have attached to them.

Ultimately, Discovering Michael is intended to be an inspirational story and guide for your own personal growth and self-discovery.

Please view the book's website at: www.discoveringmichael.com for more information. Click on More About Michael James link to view my blog. Thanks for stopping by.

360 pages, Paperback

First published March 24, 2014

About the author

Following a traumatic childhood Michael ventured out on his own with many personal issues relating to low self-esteem and a belief that he was unloveable and unworthy. He depended on others to give him the love he could not give to himself which resulted in co-dependent relationships and a constant feeling of being lost and confused. The pain became too much which led him to therapy and workshops where he started to put the pieces of the puzzle together regarding why things were going so wrong in his personal life.

Utilizing many of what he refers to as "tools for self-discovery" he began to rebuild and reshape his unhealthy beliefs into more positive and productive beliefs. The person he saw in the mirror no longer was so unworthy. With a greater sense of self-esteem, he found greater levels of happiness in his life. However, something within wanted more, an understanding of what life was all about. In his early thirties, despite being successful in his job, he decided to leave his “success” in Corporate America in further search of himself and to find new meaning in his life. When asked why he was leaving his job, he said to his manager, "As crazy as it sounds, I am going to find the meaning of life."

Being open to new experiences, his journey included backpacking across the globe, volunteering in numerous capacities related to understanding death and dying, studying numerous religions, listening to other's stories, and hours of contemplation about what this all meant. It was in effect, a modern day vision quest, becoming exposed to concepts, ideas, rituals and people that helped him form deeper values and beliefs. The journey led him to experience some of the stark contrasts life offers, from beautiful sites and natural wonders, to disease, famine and starvation. In each case, he discovered ways to make connections and volunteer with the local communities which enabled him to learn their amazing stories of trials and tribulations.

The essence of his journeys is captured well in Michael Crichton's book, "Travels", where he stated:

"Often I feel I go to some distant region of the world to be reminded of who I really am."

He returned to find that although the world had not changed, he did, thereby giving greater meaning and perspective to the diversity of life around him, and to the value of his own life. He then married, raised 3 children and continues his career. It was not an easy transition. He adjusted and has since been recognized for many outstanding achievements during his career as an educator and leader. He has published numerous articles in his field, and has spoken at national conferences. Although life continues to have its trials and tribulations, what is different now is a deeper understanding of himself and of life itself, greater levels of gratitude and compassion for others.

His quest has been and continues to be to gain a greater understanding of the self-discovery process, applying these "tools" and methods first to himself, and now sharing his stories and experiences as a source of inspiration and direction for others on the path. Whether it is for personal growth, to increase their awareness to aspects of themselves that are based on unhealthy beliefs, or for self-discovery, to ultimately find new meaning in their life and discover their full potential, Michael offers insight from a user's perspective to help others on their life's journey.

International Travel & Volunteer Efforts: China, Russia, Poland, Norway, Czech Republic, Egypt, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, & Swaziland and Europe

Volunteer & Community Involvement: Certified Foster Parent, Open Door Mission (homeless shelter), Fund Raiser & Instructor for Junior Achievement, Hospice Care for the Terminally Ill, Literacy Volunteer (English as Second Language certified), Volunteer Ambulance (Emergency Medical Technician), Camp Good Days & Special Times (