Coach Michael Taylor explains how men can create balance and

In this video Coach Michael Taylor shares how men can learn to create balance in their lives and learn to become genuinely happy.

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Coach Michael Taylor talks about Averting A Mid Life Crisis

In this video Coach Michael Taylor shares insights for men who are reaching mid life and aren’t sure how to deal with it. Coach Taylor reassures men that you only get better with age if you live a healthy stress free life. The key to averting a mid life crisis is to discover what your passions are and make a commitment to expressing them.

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Coach Michael Taylor discusses ways to choose the right

A New Conversation About Sex!

It is probably the most pleasurable experience that human beings have. It excites us, delights us and drives us absolutely insane. We write songs about it, make movies about it, tell lies about it and even daydream about it. By some accounts men think about it every 52 seconds. It is the incredible experience of SEX and nothing gives us more pleasure and at the same time causes us more pain.

If you watch our media you should notice that we are constantly bombarded with images of sex and nudity. As the saying goes, “sex sells” and the marketers and advertisers make sure that they take every opportunity to take advantage of this adage. Companies use sex to sell everything from golf clubs to chicken wings and each year the advertising seems to get more and more provocative.

With this over-proliferation of sexual images one might conclude that everyone is engaged in sex 24 hours a day seven days a week. Not only do we assume everyone is doing it, we also assume that they are actually enjoying doing it! But if sex is so wonderful and pleasurable why are so many people so unhappy with their sex lives? Why is it that married couples tend to have less sex as time goes by? Why do people have affairs for sex when they should have access to all the sex they want if they have a committed relationship? Why do men put so much emphasis on sexual conquests as gauges for their manhood? Why do people have so much difficulty being honest about how they really feel about sex and have to lie and make up excuses for their sexual behaviors and appetites?

Although there are numerous answers to these questions I have come to the conclusion that there is one answer that really covers the gamut of most of these questions. This one answer is so simple yet so complex very few people will grasp it’s implication. The answer is so profoundly simple you probably will not believe it. If you have ever wondered why men obsess over sex yet remained unfilled I have the answer. If you have asked why people have affairs this will answer that question. If you get caught up in power struggles over sex this answer will shed light on the reason why.

And if you have ever wondered why it is so difficult to maintain a fulfilling sex life I have the key.
Would you like the key that will unlock the door to great sex? Are you willing to contemplate this answer so that you can create and maintain a wonderful fulfilling sexual relationship with your partner?

Here it is, the million-dollar answer you have been waiting for. The reason so many people are so unhappy with their sex lives is because our society has conditioned us to believe that sex is purely a physical experience when in truth it should be an emotional and a spiritual experience! Without the emotional and spiritual aspect of sex, people will always feel as if something is missing. It does not matter if you cause your mate to have powerful orgasm’s that send shivers up and down her spine. It does not matter if you have two-hour erections (dream on) that would make you an instant star in a pornographic movie. If your emotions are not involved, sex will always be empty and unfulfilling. You may experience temporary pleasure but ultimately if you will really examine your feelings you will feel in your heart that something just isn’t right.

This is why so many men are uncomfortable with cuddling after sex. If you are emotionally and spiritually connected with your mate then cuddling is a continuation of the sexual experience. Opening your heart and mind to the experience will always bring you closer to your mate. But most of us are very uncomfortable with this type of openness and vulnerability. The reason so many of us are unhappy is because we seek physical pleasure without emotional attachment and that is a recipe for addiction. In order to truly experience lovemaking and intimacy we must be able to feel the energy of love moving through us as we connect with our mate. We must learn to open our hearts and expose our true selves so that our partners can emotionally and spiritually unite with us. This may sound like something out of a romance novel but it is an attainable experience if you focus on the emotional aspect of your sexual encounters. Most of us are so committed to “getting laid” and simply “getting some” that we miss out on the most important aspect of sex which is sharing yourself with your mate in the emotional and spiritual act of lovemaking.

The time has come for all men to learn to make love to our mates and not just have sex with them.

Although most men will probably not admit this, we can be terrified of this level of intimacy because in the back of our minds we may be afraid to surrender our hearts to the people we love. Some of us keep up emotional blocks because we are too afraid to have that type of trust and connection. It sometimes seems easier to simply sleep around with multiple women to prove our manhood but the truth is we pay a heavy price for this detached way of behaving. A real man will take the risk and open his heart because in the end he recognizes that true love is about openness and surrender. He takes the risks to love and he is rewarded with love and connection.

Did you know that you could make love to your mate and never physically touch them? If this sounds impossible then you are trapped in the illusion of physical sex. True love is a function of the heart and mind and has absolutely nothing to do with your penis. If you really want to make love, leave your penis in your pants and learn to take out your heart and share it with your mate.

Are you ready for this new conversation about sex?

The Four Freedoms

As a tribute to the 4th of July celebration I would like to share my four freedoms to happiness. In addition to watching fireworks and eating bar-b-que, why not contemplate these four freedoms and find out if you are truly free.

1. The freedom to be me. As simplistic as this sounds, I believe this is the most important freedom we have as human beings. To know who we are and why we are here is the foundation of the human experience. Unfortunately, very few people experience this freedom. The reason for this is simple, it’s because we are conditioned to believe that in order for us to be free we must have “stuff”. Most people believe if they simply purchase a new car or new house and lots of material things then they will be free. Nothing could be further from the truth. The reality is, most people feel trapped and overwhelmed when they accomplish this. The lesson we all must learn is that it is impossible to feel free if you are burdened with debt and responsibility. So if you believe that money and material things will make you feel free then you are sadly mistaken.
The only way to experience authentic freedom is to engage in a journey of self-discovery that allows you to uncover any subconscious issues that may be keeping you from knowing who you really are. Once you discover your true self then you will be truly free.

2. The freedom from scarcity. There is absolutely nothing wrong with accumulating wealth and having lots of money. The challenge is to recognize that it does not take money or material things to be truly happy and free. Having money allows you to enjoy life and definitely can alleviate some of the stress and discomforts of living, but abundance is really a state of mind. Freedom from scarcity means that you do not engage in “poverty” thinking and you know that you have the ability to create any level of wealth you choose. To experience this freedom you must understand the law of attraction that says what ever you focus your attention on you create in your reality. By focusing your attention on wealth you will be free from scarcity.
3. The freedom to connect with Spirit. One of this country’s greatest freedoms is the freedom of religion. Unfortunately too many people are trapped by religion because they have not taken the time to come to their own truth and understanding about God. They accept religious teachings that may have been passed on for generations without questioning those beliefs. In order to be free, a person must ask themselves deeper questions and be open to the possibility that their old beliefs about God may no longer suit them. When a person listens to their own soul and expands their understanding about God, then they open the door to an expanded concept of God, which creates spiritual freedom. This is definitely the truth that will set you free.
4. The freedom to give back. In order to truly be free, you must be willing to share your unique gifts and talents with the world. By sharing yourself with others, you give them the freedom to do the same. By encouraging and supporting others you lay the foundation for a more compassionate and caring society. It’s been said that what ever you give you also receive, so be sure to give of yourself so that you receive the gifts of others.
These are my four freedoms to happiness. If they resonate with you then share them with someone else. If they don’t, that’s all right too. Just make sure that you are being completely honest with yourself when you ask yourself the question, “Am I really free?”

So in the words of the document that gave America it’s freedom;

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness”
Did you notice that it said the “pursuit” of happiness? There are no guarantees that you will find it but I hope you do.

Good luck and live free!


It’s Time For a New Conversation With Men!

Have you ever noticed how negatively men are portrayed in the media? If you were from another planet and picked up a broadcast from earth, your perception of men would be that the men of earth are violent, corrupt, greedy and heartless. Our media constantly bombards us with images of pedophiles, wife beaters, deadbeat dads and money hungry men who only care about themselves. If we listen to our media we would have no choice but to believe that men are simply no good.

But is this the truth? Is this the reality of most men?

My answer to that question is a resounding no. Although there are obviously men who fit this perception, my belief is that the overwhelming majority of men on the planet do not. Most men , irregardless of color are hardworking, honest individuals who are doing the best they can with what they have and are possibly struggling with the changing roles of masculinity in our society.

My intention with this blog is to empower and support men in understanding that the roles of men are changing rapidly in our society, and it’s important that men recognize how these changes may be affecting them. I believe that one of the greatest challenges facing our country is to redefine masculinity so that men accept these dramatically changing roles.

What I’m suggesting is a new revolution. Not a revolution of violence or control, but a revolution of the mind the heart and the soul of men. A revolution that encourages men to become better husbands, better fathers and to become genuinely happy with their lives.

This revolution is open to men of all races, religions and ages. It is an all inclusive revolution that any man can join. The only requirement is an open heart and an open mind to become a better man. If a man is committed to improving his life and making a difference in the world, then A New Conversation With Men is just what the doctor ordered.

In the upcoming weeks I will be creating a dialog with men that empowers and supports them to become better men. I hope you will share this blog with men around the world and invite them to participate in our conversation.

Rest assured that the revolution is about to begin,
it’s time for A New Conversation With Men!

Can we ever stop Greed?

As America tries to recover from the economic meltdown of the past few years, its important that this country begin looking for solutions that will keep this from happening again in the future. And so the question has been posed, “Can the Obama administration repair the damage that’s already been done? Is it possible to fix this mess within the next four years? Eight years?

These are some very tough questions with no easy answers.

Without question there is no shortage of opinions on this matter. The political pundits, financial community, business community and even the religious community have expressed strong opinions on what it’s going to take to move us through these challenging times and restore our country’s economic health.

As I’ve listened to the “experts” I have yet to hear anyone give any concrete long term sustainable solutions that will not have a negative impact on our economy and our way of life. We definitely cannot continue to bailout companies that have not been fiscally responsible for keeping their companies profitable. And we can not spend our way back to economic health. I am of the opinion that bailing out companies is only a quick fix to a company’s problems. It does not create a long term strategy that will keep companies from falling into the same repetitive cycle of bad management and greed.

With that thought in mind, I would like to interject that I believe the only way to create a long term strategy to repair our economy is to create a new conversation with men.

Let me explain what I mean by this.

In this new conversation, men would recognize that there is no excuse for a CEO to receive multimillion dollar pay packages when a company is on the verge of bankruptcy. This is plain and simple greed which should be unacceptable. Men would learn that excessive spending is never good for the bottom line and therefore they would learn to cut back on some of their lavish spending before they would begin laying off the ordinary workers who are really the backbone of any company.

Men would also learn that their self worth should never be wrapped up in their titles and incomes. With this new understanding, we would not have investors killing themselves and taking their families lives simply because of falling stock prices or diminishing portfolios. This new conversation would challenge men to become social entrepreneurs who would take their love of business and create companies that want to eradicate a specific social issue. Their company then becomes and extension of their passion and creativity and is less likely to fall victim to greed.

Can you see the benefits of this new conversation?

Obviously there are no easy solutions to fixing our great country but I believe this is a great start. It all begins with a new conversation with men.

Are you willing to engage in this dialog?

Listen to my radio show live on 5/6 as I answer the question, “Are Men Always Responsible For Relationship Breakups? 10 am CST www.unity.fm

Are you ready to embrace Infinite Possibilities for your life? Tune in Thursday at 10:00am CST www.unity.fm/newconversation to find out how.

Creating A New Paradigm of Masculinity

The Voice of An Awakening World

Recently my radio show began broadcasting on the Unity FM online radio network so I’d like to bring your attention to the Unity slogan, The Voice of An Awakening World. Take just a moment and ask yourself, what exactly does that mean, The Voice of An Awakening World? Now I would like for you to hold on to that question because I am going to share my answer towards the end of this commentary.

If you pay attention to our media it can be difficult to believe that this slogan is actually true, we are constantly bombarded with images and stories that seem to contradict that the world is waking up. We are bombarded with images of earthquakes, violence, corporate corruption, infidelity, racism and a host of other negative stories that cause most people to believe that the world is in total chaos and spinning wildly out of control. Some people actually believe that the world is about to come to an end.

But is this the true reality? Is the world falling apart or is the world waking up? Which do you believe?

Believe it or not both ideas are actually true. In some ways the world is falling apart, the media shows us these facts on a daily basis, but beneath these facts there is something else at work here. That something else is a divine intelligence that created this Universe and I personally believe that this intelligence knows exactly what it is doing. From a religious perspective I believe Unity church is at the forefront  of this awakening and  therefore the Unity slogan is right on when it says that it is the voice of an awakening world.

Like the slogan suggests, this intelligence is now waking us up and it is causing people like yourself to become conscious and it is through conscious action that we can become co-creators of this awakening world.  You see personal transformation leads to world transformation so it’s important that wake up individually before we can wake up collectively.

A unique aspect of this awakening is that it is something that has to be felt to be experienced and if you’re reading this blog or have listened to my radio show I’m sure you have felt what I’m talking about. You may not recognize it and you may not fully comprehend it but there is a part of you that knows exactly what I’m saying. It is an intuitive feeling in your soul that you may not be able to express in words but you feel this awakening happening.

So I’d like you to consider that this feeling, this awakening, this impulse, is actually the God in you seeking expression.

Here is what I mean,

Maybe you have a dream of starting your own company and despite all the challenges and all the naysayer’s,  that still small voice in you says, You Can Do This. Have you been thinking about writing a book because you know that you have a positive and inspiring message to share with the world? You may not know how to get it published but something in you is prompting you to write it. Or maybe you have been on a spiritual journey for a while and your spirit has been prompting you to go deeper and deeper to find your truth and as a result, you experience deep levels of joy, passion and creativity on a regular basis. Or maybe your heart has been longing to find that perfect mate and you’ve taken the time to understand yourself and you now feel ready to attract them into your life.

Or on the other hand, maybe you are in the middle of a bitter divorce and you’re asking yourself what went wrong and what can you do to prevent it from happening in the future. Could it be that you are struggling with an addiction that is robbing you of your joy and you can’t see your way out but you know that somehow you have got to change. Or maybe you’re caught up in a dead end job with no future and you know it’s up to you to do something about it so you are beginning to look for something that is more rewarding and fulfilling.

These are all signs of this new awakening. No matter where you are in your life right now, there is something that is calling you to awaken to your true identity, there is something that is prompting you to discover who you really are and why you are here. It is an intuitive knowing that I believe is the divine impulse of God seeking expression through you.

And so the question becomes, “Are you willing to listen to the divine impulse?” Are you going to be courageous enough to listen to that still small voice within you that will guide you to your spiritual awakening?  Are you ready to become a conscious participant in the awakening world? Once again, if you’re reading this blog or listened to my program I can assure you that the answer is already yes. You see there are no accidents in a perfect Universe and the fact that you are tuned in to this blog or my broadcast confirms the fact that you have felt that divine impulse within you.

And so with that thought in mind I’d like to welcome you to A New Conversation With Men. You see it is my belief that the next great shift in consciousness, the next great awakening is going to be a shift in male consciousness. This shift will create a new paradigm of masculinity which I believe will empower men to become better husbands, better fathers and better men. Most importantly I believe this shift will assist men in becoming genuinely happy with their lives. When this new shift occurs you will begin to see the eradication of issues like corporate greed, domestic abuse, high divorce rates, poverty, high school dropouts and high incarceration rates. Each of these social ills are the result of men being trapped in an old paradigm that no longer works.

Now as you listen to this I am not saying that men are entirely responsible for all the challenges facing our world.  This isn’t about blaming men, it’s simply about recognizing that the old paradigm of masculinity is no longer working and it’s time to introduce a new paradigm to replace the old.

Now I realize that the word paradigm is probably over used and it may sound like a redundant buzzword so let me give you my definition of a paradigm. My definition of a paradigm is a rigid way of believing, thinking and behaving. Let me repeat that, my definition of a paradigm is a rigid way of believing, thinking and behaving.

In order for men to become genuinely happy with their lives they must first change their beliefs, which will then change their thoughts which will then change their actions which will ultimately change their outcomes.

And this is where A New Conversation With Men comes in.

My intention with this show is educate, motivate and inspire men to reach their full potential. I want this show to become a positive and powerful resource for any man who  is courageous enough to discover who they really are and is committed to living an extraordinary life. And although it’s called a new conversation with men this dialog is definitely open to women. So ladies, don’t think that you’re invading our male space by offering your comments and insights, this is an open dialog designed to foster Unity and diversity and your participation is always welcomed.

If you choose to participate, simply remember the shows intention, which is to Educate, Motivate and inspire men to reach their full potential and understand it’s introduction, so let me share it with you right now.

The intro says, “The time has come for a new revolution. Not a revolution of violence or control, but a revolution of the mind the heart and the soul. A revolution that will touch the hearts of men, to let them know that they no longer have to pretend. This is a place where men get to be real, because in this space they can say exactly what they feel. So men of all races unite and come in, this journey will challenge you to look deep within, so let the new revolution begin, because it’s time for, A New Conversation With Men.”

As the intro states I am starting a new revolution and I’m seeking revolutionaries. So if you like what you’ve heard so far and you want to participate in this revolution then I’d like to make a few suggestions on how you can become involved.

1.   Make a commitment to yourself to discover who you really are and why you are here. In other words connect with the divine impulse within you and let it be your guide.

2.   Use this blog and my show as a resource to assist you in doing step 1. Listen on a regular basis. Call in with your questions, comments and feedback. Become engaged in the conversation. If you can’t listen live download the podcast from the archives. Be an active participant in this conversation.

3.   If you really want to get involved in our revolution you can log on to our online community at www.ancwm.com there you will find a group of like minded thinkers and revolutionaries who engage in things like live chats, discussion forums and blog post. There is also a Unity group in which I discuss the current topic of conversation on my radio show and give you an opportunity to ask questions or provide your own feedback about the weeks show.

4.   Share it with others. Especially men, I recognize that men are hesitant to participate in personal growth and development programs but if you gain any value from my message and think another man might benefit, let him know about this blog post and my radio program located at www.unity.fm/program/newconversation.

So that’s all it takes to join the revolution. If you’re still reading that tells me that you are already engaged in the conversation and therefore, you are already a revolutionary, so let me be the first to welcome you to the revolution.

So I would like to bring your attention back to the question of what does the Voice of An Awakening World really mean.

And here is my answer,

An awakening world  to me means that the divine impulse that created this Universe is still in the process of creating. This process is called evolution. Evolution is simply God in motion or God creating. In my reality, there is no conflict between creationism and evolution, they are simply two sides of the same coin. As we become aware of the divine impulse within us, we then use this impulse to work hand in hand with the Universe to awaken the world. By discovering who we really are and uncovering our unique gifts and talents, we will awaken to our divine purpose  which is ultimately why we’re here in the first place. I believe our true purpose in life is to use our unique gifts and talents to help make the world a better place.

The Unity movement provides us with the insights and wisdom to wake us up to this divine idea. Each host on the www.unity.fm channel is simply sharing their insights and wisdom with you to assist you in discovering who you really are, when every human being does this we will then experience An Awakened World.

In this new awakened world, men will embrace a new paradigm of masculinity that assist them in becoming genuinely happy with their lives and in doing so, the world will be transformed for the better.

Welcome to the revolution!

“Avatar” movie review and it’s connection to the men’s movement.

For as long as I can remember I have always had a passion for movies. What began as a source of pure entertainment has now evolved into a philosophical and spiritual exercise in personal growth and awareness. I have come to recognize that movies are simply metaphors for life and when viewed from this perspective they can provide lessons and insights that assist us in discovering who we really are. This is the perspective from which I view movies. I see them as an opportunity to learn about myself and the world around me. I consider them to be divine teaching tools that challenge me to become a better human being.

With my love of movies, I find it somewhat surprising that I have not written many reviews about them so I wanted to take this opportunity to share my interpretation of the latest blockbuster movie Avatar.

I can sum up the movie in one simple word. “MAGICAL” It really isn’t just a movie, it’s a visual and spiritual experience that has redefined going to the movies. From the very beginning to the climactic ending I was mesmerized by the pure beauty of the entire production. As a huge fan of computer generated imagery and science fiction,I was absolutely blown away by this film. Words can not come close to describing how technologically beautiful Avatar truly is. This movie has raised the bar and will be the standard through which future movies will be judged.

Of course it takes more than fancy computer generated graphics to make a great movie and this is another reason why I love this movie so much. The story works on so many different levels that it challenged me to really think about it’s message and it’s meaning.

The primary message that I came away with is that this movie is symbolic of the transformation of men in society.

Let me explain.

In the story, humans have traveled to a distant planet called Pandora. The planet has a very rare mineral called unobtanium that is needed to help save the earth. On Pandora, the natives are called the Na’vi people and they are ten foot tall blue colored humanoid type aliens. To help them secure the mineral, scientist develop a way to “grow” Na’vi people (Avatars) in a special facility and then they can connect human beings to a machine that allows them to transfer their spirits into the Avatar bodies which were developed in the lab. This allows humans to remote control the man-made Avatars on the planet using only their minds.

The primary character is Jake Sully who is a paralyzed former marine who volunteers to go to the planet to help retrieve the unobtanium after his brother is killed. His job is to use his Avatar body to become friends with the Na’vi people in hopes that he can convince them to move so that humans can extract large quantities of the rare mineral from their homeland. (I don’t want to spoil the movie so if you haven’t seen it yet you might want to skip the rest of this blog until you do.)

So Jake begins as a spy but he meets and falls in love with one of the Na’vi people named Neytiri and all of a sudden his priorities change and he decides to help the Na’vi instead of hurt them.

That’s a quick synopsis and I really don’t want to give away the entire story so now I would like to share my insights and interpretation of the film.

First of all I liked James Cameron’s choice of selecting a paraplegic former marine as the main character. What this symbolized for me was the fact that most men are “wounded” in our society and completely unaware of this fact. Most of us have some unresolved emotional conflict that keeps us from being our authentic self and this character really symbolized this point for me. In the movie, not only is Jake paralyzed from the waist down he is also grieving the loss of his brother who was killed in combat.

As the movie progresses, Jake is taught the ways of the Nav’i people and his heart begins to soften as he is exposed to the spiritual lifestyle of the Navi. He is taught how everything in nature is connected and that he should have reverence for all things. He is mesmerized by the incredible beauty of the planet and his relationship with Neytiri deepens as she teaches him to be more open to the beauty of the world around him.

Initially his love interest calls him stupid and naive but as he learns the way of the Na’vi she recognizes that he has a “”strong heart” which she finds very attractive and eventually she falls in love with him.

One of the most moving parts of the film is the expression “I See You”. It is based on the Sanskrit word “Namaste” which means “the divine in me acknowledges the divine in you”. In the movie it is used as a term of endearment which expresses that the person sees you and your true essence.

As Jake is introduced to the way of the Na’vi, he begins to embrace all of the beauty around him and he develops a deep sense of reverence and respect for the environment and the people in it. Because of the love and guidance he receives from Neytiri he learns to open his heart and fall in love. Not only did he fall in love with Neytiri, he fell in love with the forest and the Na’vi people.

This is true transformation. He learned to open his heart and share his spirit.

As the movie moves to it’s climactic ending there is a scene in which Jake is transported back to his human body out of his Avatar form. When he does, he begins to suffocate because of the air on the planet. To save him, Neytiri locates his human body and gives him a gas mask that saves his life. This is the first time that she actually sees him in his human form but her heart recognizes him immediately as she calls him “my Jake”.  As he wakes up from almost suffocating he looks at her and says “I See You”. As she caresses him in her arms she begins to weep and says “I See You”  which for me symbolized that she loves the true essence of who he is and they were both expressing their authentic love for one another. They were true soul mates in every way.

I loved this scene!

In summary, Avatar is a story of male transformation. It is the story of men learning to come to grips with how disconnected we sometimes feel and it provides us with an opportunity to reconnect.

The time has come for men to learn to heal their hearts and become authentic men. When they do this, they will experience what it truly means to be a loving, caring spiritually connected male. This transformation will allow men to experience the beauty of being alive and will provide the foundation for them to create loving relationships and passionate lives. This is the only way that we will see a reduction in the 50% divorce rate that currently plagues our society.

This is my intention with A New Conversation With Men. I am creating a resource for any man who is courageous enough to discover who they really are. My hope is that men use this resource to begin their own journey of transformation and eventually they will follow Jakes example in connecting with his authentic self and finding the woman of his dreams.

If you have not seen Avatar yet, run, don’t walk to your local theater and check it out.

You’ll be glad you did!

I See You!

Can Tiger Woods ever redeem himself?

With all of the media attention that has been focused on Tiger Woods and his “transgressions”, the question becomes “Can he ever redeem himself in the publics eye?” To answer that question I will begin by making a simple distinction. First of all there is Tiger Woods the golfer and then there is Tiger Woods the man. It’s important that I make this distinction before I actually answer the question.

Let’s begin with Tiger Woods the golfer.

In order for Tiger to redeem himself as a golfer it’s actually pretty simple. All he has to do is go out and win some golf tournaments and surpass Jack Nicklaus’ major championships record and I can assure you he will be redeemed in the eyes of the sports world. Our society has a very short memory when it comes to athletes and their indiscretions as long as the athlete can inspire and excite us with their unique gifts and talents. If and when Tiger is able to come back to the sport that he dominates he will continue to be admired and worshipped as an icon in the sports world. Therefore he would be “redeemed” in the eyes of the public.

Not that society will condone his actions, it’s just that our culture thrives on celebrity’s lives and few people in our culture are as “celebrated” and recognizable as Tiger is. Therefore the media needs Tiger to feed the media machine. Rest assured that the media needs Tiger a lot more than he needs them. In addition to the media, I can assure you that corporations also need Tiger and are also ready to move past this setback so that they can continue to profit from his celebrity. No one wants Tiger to be redeemed more than corporate sponsors. He is a billion dollar corporation in himself and there is an infinite amount of people who’s lively hood depend on him. These people are doing everything in their power right now to insure that Tiger gets back on the golf course and does what he does best, WIN!

Now let’s talk about Tiger Woods the man which is much more complicated.

Unfortunately in our celebrity dominated culture we make icons out of celebrities and then create the perception that they are somehow different from ordinary people. The truth is, all people are ordinary, it is the things that they do which make them extraordinary. The fact that Tiger is a billion dollar athlete that is an expert at hitting a small round ball into a very small hole (sounds ordinary and simple doesn’t it?) better than anyone else still does not change the fact that he is an ordinary person.

I believe this is Tigers greatest challenge. He must come to the understanding that he is an ordinary man with extraordinary talent. When he comes to this realization he will then be ready to truly redeem himself. Once he accepts this simple fact he then sets the stage for his transformation.

In order for him to be transformed he must be willing to become self introspective and get to the root causes of his self destructive behavior. The experts tell us that all addictive behaviors have at their core an unresolved emotional conflict so he must be willing to uncover his emotional conflict if he truly wants to be transformed.

This transformational process will be the most difficult endeavor he has ever embarked upon. It will be difficult because like most men, he will not be able to depend on physical prowess or intellectual acuity. He will have to look into the deepest recesses of his heart where the unresolved emotional conflict resides and that is the place where men generally refuse to look. It’s been said that the longest journey any man will take is from his head to his heart and this adage holds true for all men.

If he chooses to engage in this process he will learn that extramarital affairs are never about the physical act of sex. They are attempts to fill an unfilled emotional need. Until that need is filled and the emotional conflict is resolved no amount of sex will ever satisfy him. This is the beginning of his redemption.

It’s difficult for most people to comprehend the reality of sexual addiction. In our sex crazed culture it sounds like a cop out and justification for a mans indiscretions to say that a man (or woman) is addicted to sex. The fact remains that sex addiction is real and is no different than drug addiction, food addiction or work addiction. It might seem that it isn’t a real addiction because we relate sex with physical pleasure but I can assure you that the emotional and spiritual toll it takes on a mans well being can be devastating.

So to truly redeem himself Tiger must engage in his emotional healing and transformation. He must learn to heal his heart and take responsibility for his actions. He must be willing to seek forgiveness from those he has hurt and most importantly he must learn to forgive himself. He must concede that he is an ordinary man with an extraordinary talent but that talent should not define him.  He must come to the realization that true success does not come from his ability to simply play golf, it comes from his ability to be an authentic man, to be a great father to be a loving husband and to excel at a game that he loves to play. He is a man first and a golfer second. This simple distinction is the key to his redemption.

Last but not least he must surround himself with men who will support him in being the best man he can possibly be. Men who see him as a man and not just a great athlete. Men who model integrity, fidelity and self responsibility. Men who will hold him accountable for his actions and will not allow him to fall back into old patterns of negative behavior. Men who truly understand the process of transformation and can guide him along his journey. Men who will love him unconditionally without judgment for the man that he truly is. Building this support system is key and will make the process much easier and insure his success.

So in answer to the question I posed, yes, Tiger Woods can redeem himself. But he must redeem the man before he redeems the golfer and in the end he will become a much better man as a result.