Michael Thielmann
Bio
I am an addiction and mental health counsellor living in Salmon Arm British Columbia. I love engaging with people about overcoming any challenges in their life and being vulnerable and open about my own process as well. <3
Stories (113/0)
Finding Common Ground
I often stop and wonder why we can't all be on the same page, or at least the same book. We all want the same basic things, mainly to love and be loved and live in peace and harmony on our beautiful planet. Why is it that so many of us get so attached to certain perspectives and belief systems?
By Michael Thielmannabout a year ago in Humans
Mindfulness and Schizophrenia
I've experienced symptoms of psychosis and schizophrenia for about half of my life, beginning with cannabis-induced symptoms when I was 17. I never had much luck with medications or street drugs and have had to turn to mindfulness and meditation techniques in order to find relief and healing.
By Michael Thielmannabout a year ago in Psyche
Breaking the Block
When I don't know what to write, I just start writing about that. No ideas are coming, that's fine. I can just type out what's spinning through my restless mind. Writing out anything can be better than just getting into a futile staring contest with a blank screen. The cursor blinking on and off can bring about a sort of mental torture if we get caught up in our doubts for too long. Sometimes I just start pressing random keys and let my subconscious take over until some coherent words start emerging from the jumble of chaos. Writing can be like walking up a mountain. Each keystroke is like the next little step towards the summit. The longer I gaze at the peak, the less likely I am to make that next step and get overwhelmed by a seemingly impossible journey.
By Michael Thielmannabout a year ago in Motivation
10 Days of Silence
Does the prospect of sitting still for most of the day in complete silence sound like the hardest thing to do? That's probably because in many ways it is. When I tell people about doing 10 day Vipassana retreats they almost invariably say the same thing: "I could never do that! I'd go crazy..."
By Michael Thielmannabout a year ago in Motivation
Writer's Block Blues:
I was staring into the abyss of the blank screen for what seemed like a good half hour. I glanced at the clock, but only 5 minutes had passed since my last check. My coffee cup beckoned to me, as though a sip would somehow start up the flow of inspiration. I choked on it and coughed some droplets onto the monitor. At least there was something to punctuate the gnawing silence and quiet desperation that was starting to creep into my mind.
By Michael Thielmannabout a year ago in Fiction
PC Today, Taboo Tomorrow
It can be difficult to keep up with what words are acceptable, what words may be considered outdated, and what words some people are likely to find downright offensive. Many of us have felt the squeeze of the politically correct acculturation in different ways, and many long for a world where we can speak openly without worrying about inadvertently offending someone.
By Michael Thielmann5 years ago in The Swamp
'MTG Arena': Izzet Worth It?
The world of Richard Garfield's deliciously addictive trading card game has had me hooked since I begged my Opa to buy me my first back almost 25 years ago. I browsed through my first back of Fifth Edition and was simultaneously stunned and amazed at the beautiful artwork and intricate game mechanics that I couldn't possibly understand at that age.
By Michael Thielmann5 years ago in Gamers
Gaming Therapy
This is another topic that is near and dear to my heart, as well as my analytical left brain. As a young child, I always enjoyed playing many different board games and video games, as well as allowing my overactive imagination to invent brand new games of my own with my friends.
By Michael Thielmann5 years ago in Gamers
Cannabis and Creativity
As an aspiring writer at the age of 18, I made it my duty to thoroughly test the hypothesis that pot can enhance or improve our creative abilities. I want to explore this topic in some depth; many of my clients lately have been interested in looking more deeply at their cannabis use.
By Michael Thielmann5 years ago in Potent
Blueprints for a New Society
This will be a rather ambitious 600 words, but I am definitely up for the challenge. I want to briefly outline some of the key factors that I feel are an essential part of moving ahead in a sustainable, harmonious way as a loving and creative human society.
By Michael Thielmann5 years ago in Futurism