Divine Help is On the Way

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Stardate 12.31.2025

Yesterday’s story touched on the number one request I’m carrying into the New Year. It’s a request especially suited for anyone who feels undeserving—which, if we’re being honest, is most of us at one time or another.

That’s exactly what grace is:
undeserved favor
divine help
a gift you didn’t earn and don’t have to repay

Don’t ask me to explain how it works. It’s well above my pay grade. I just know it’s real.

Grace can arrive directly from God, or indirectly through the people placed in your life at just the right moment. Sometimes it shows up as forgiveness. Sometimes as patience. Sometimes as help you didn’t even know how to ask for.

Here’s what I’ve learned:
the more grace you allow yourself to receive, the more you naturally have to give away.

We’re often told there are only two certainties in life—death and taxes. I’d like to add a third:

Grace.

It’s perfect.
It’s free.
And it comes from the One who created you.

There’s no limit.
No quota.
No fine print.

If you want more of it, there’s only one step required.

Ask.

Have a great day.

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Captain’s Addendum

Bones: “You’re telling me this grace thing doesn’t require forms, fees, or approval from a committee?”
Spock: “Correct, Doctor. Grace is illogical by human standards—and therefore remarkably efficient.”
Bones: “Well, I’ll be damned. Humans could use more of that.”
Spock: “Indeed. Especially when approaching a new year.”

Michael’s Reflection:
I’m entering the next chapter of life with fewer demands and more open hands. Grace isn’t something I qualify for—it’s something I receive. And once I do, it has a way of flowing outward.

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Scripture for the Journey

“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
— Hebrews 4:16

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Mission Log

Year-end status: hopeful and grounded
Supplies secured: grace in abundance
Trajectory: forward—one percent at a time

An Idea to Consider for the New Year Ahead

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Stardate 12.30.2025

If you’re like me, the idea of another calendar flip may raise your anxiety more than your excitement. You’ve tried New Year’s resolutions before, only to end up carrying a quiet sense of shame when nothing sticks. Your brain eventually waves the white flag and says, Stop the insanity—doing the same thing over and over while expecting different results.

I get it. Why set yourself up for failure?

But what if the answer isn’t buried in past attempts?
What if the solution isn’t another checklist or self-imposed task?

What if the focus shifted from doing to receiving?

Not all at once.
Not in overwhelming doses.
Just one percent at a time.

If you approach the new year this way—slowly, intentionally—you may discover something unexpected: what you receive might eventually become something you’re able to give away. Stay with this idea for thirty days. If your soul feels lighter by the end of that stretch, you may find yourself choosing it again…and again.

This idea resonates deeply with me because it’s exactly what I need right now. It isn’t a quick fix or a resolution destined to fade before Valentine’s Day. It’s something offered freely by the Creator—the One who knows what we need even before we ask.

It took me sixty-five years of floundering to realize something simple and humbling:

All you have to do to receive it…is ask.

If you’re not the praying type, I want to make this as accessible as possible. You can borrow this prayer—no polish required:

Dear Lord,
I am in desperate need of Your grace.
Please give it to me.
Send it in small doses so I don’t get overwhelmed.
I want to practice receiving this gift throughout the year.
When the time is right, help me share that grace with the people I love.
Thank You for hearing this prayer.
Amen.

Grace doesn’t shout.
It arrives quietly.
And it changes everything—one percent at a time.

Have a great day.

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Captain’s Addendum

Bones: “Michael, humans keep trying to fix themselves like broken machinery. No wonder they’re exhausted.”
Spock: “Indeed, Doctor. Logic suggests that receiving grace requires far less energy than resisting it.”
Bones: “You mean all this time they could’ve just…asked?”
Spock: “Correct. A most inefficient discovery—yet deeply human.”

Michael’s Reflection:
This year, I’m not chasing improvement. I’m opening my hands. Grace isn’t something I earn—it’s something I learn to receive. And when it finally settles in, it has a way of spilling over to others.

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Scripture for the Journey

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.”
— 2 Corinthians 12:9

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Mission Log

Mission status: steady and receiving.
No resolutions abandoned.
No perfection required.
Just grace—arriving right on time.

I Broke the Writer's Mold

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Stardate 12.29.2025

I recently crossed paths with an interesting man with a storied past. During our conversation, he mentioned that the significant other in his life is a professor in the university writing department. I laughed and told him that if she ever stumbles across my blog or one of my books, I’d be grateful if she would resist the urge to grade me. I’m untrained, self-taught, and I rarely stay inside the lines.

If I were to grade myself, my only solid A’s would be for showing up daily—and for writing straight from the heart.

Those “in the know” often say a writer must find a genre and stay there. My path hasn’t worked that way. I began with a memoir about my dad and his final days on Earth. I followed that with a novel about a fictional family that looks suspiciously like my own. I self-published a coffee table book about a volleyball inspired by Cast Away. I wrote Live Long and Prosper, which mostly chronicles my greatest strength: making mistakes and learning from them.

Now, I’m working on a coloring book about Wilson—and where he might have gone after he exited my life.

That’s a lot of creative territory without a clearly labeled box. Maybe that’s the point. Much of what I write is about wandering. And perhaps my purpose is to help the lost feel a little less alone while they find their way home.

So thank you—for your patience, your kindness, and your willingness to walk alongside me. As long as the writer’s mold is broken, I plan to keep moving forward. Soon, some of these stories will arrive by video. It feels a bit like a frog who dreamed of becoming a writer… and somehow did.

I’m coming out of the cocoon.
Stay tuned.
Have a great day.

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🖖 Captain’s Addendum

Bones: “Michael, the man’s clearly broken every literary rule in the book.”
Spock: “On the contrary, Doctor. He has merely rejected artificial constraints in favor of authenticity. A most logical evolution.”
Bones: “So you’re saying there’s no cure for this?”
Spock: “Correct. Nor should there be.”

Michael’s Reflection:
I used to think I needed permission—to fit, to qualify, to belong. Now I see that calling doesn’t ask for credentials; it asks for honesty. When I stopped trying to sound like a writer and started writing like myself, the words began to breathe.

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📖 Scripture for the Journey

“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?”
— Isaiah 43:19

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🚀 Mission Log

Today’s mission wasn’t about finding a genre.
It was about trusting the voice God gave me—and using it, one imperfect day at a time.

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Thank you for reading, for encouraging, and for making space for stories that don’t quite fit the mold. May you carry a little courage with you today—into prayer, into rest, and into whatever new thing is quietly taking shape in your life.

How to Map Peace

 

A Meditation on Energy, Memory, and the Present Moment

Stardate 05.18.2021 (Revisited)

Editor's Note:  I revisited my archives for a meditation tune-up and found this story. Feel free to adapt it as you see fit. The original blog story was written long before I visited Ireland. While visiting on a 10 day pilgrimage with my wife, we stopped at Glendalough and walked through the forest. I discovered real acorns, brought them home and placed them in my home studio. Tuscany and Iceland are still future travel goals, although visiting these places daily in my mind brings me joy.

The image you see here came from the deep recesses of my mind during a morning meditation. It arrived quietly, fully formed, without explanation. They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but my 60-year-old brain didn’t get the memo.

If you look closely, you’ll notice hearts placed along an infinity symbol—past, present, and future woven together. These locations may not mean much to the outside world. To me, they are everything.

This meditation begins at Norris Hot Springs in Montana, a place of grounding and warmth where our family gathered to celebrate our youngest son’s graduation. This is my first energy center—the root. It represents safety, belonging, and the steady foundation beneath my feet. It’s where I remember that I am held.

The second energy center rests in the Cascades of Washington, where I revisit a memory of backpacking with our daughter. S’mores. Hot chocolate. Laughter under the stars. This center carries creativity and emotion. It’s where joy is stored—and where healing begins. From here, the Phoenix rises, reminding me that renewal often comes quietly, after the fire has cooled.

The third energy center glows in my sister’s backyard in Southern California. My dad stands at the Weber grill, cooking his world-famous hamburgers—his final barbecue on this earth. This center carries personal power and identity. There is electricity here. Gratitude. Love. And the strength that comes from knowing who shaped you.

At the center of the infinity symbol sits the fourth energy center—the heart. This is where I live now. The present moment. My true home. This is my happy place. When I return here, anxiety loosens its grip and peace takes the wheel.

The fifth energy center, the throat, appears in Banff, Alberta, at the edge of Lake Louise. A single drop of water falls into the turquoise surface—colored by ancient glacial rock flour—and sends ripples outward. This is the center of truth and expression. One honest word, spoken with love, can travel farther than we ever imagine.

From there, the meditation moves forward.

The sixth energy center, the place of insight and inner vision, appears in the magical forest of Glendalough, Ireland. In my mind, an acorn drops from a tall, slender tree. A reminder that faith begins small—but contains forests within it.

The seventh energy center, connection to the divine, unfolds in Tuscany, Italy. I’m seated with my wife in a field of tall grass, Hans Zimmer’s Gladiator score playing softly in the background. The sun lowers. We share an Italian meal. A single blue lotus rises from the field, scented like lavender. My senses are fully alive. Heaven feels close.

The final energy center rests in Iceland, where our family sits together in a hot tub beneath the Northern Lights. This is awe. Mystery. Wonder. My connection to what lies beyond understanding—and my reminder that not everything needs to be explained to be true.

Maui earns an honorable mention, even though it isn’t pictured. From above, the island resembles another infinity symbol formed by two volcanoes. At its center, in Kihei, on a deserted beach, I asked my wife to marry me. Hawaii’s 808 area code inspired the name of this blog, SoCalMulligan808. Full circle.

It’s safe to say I don’t fully understand these meditations. They feel like experiments—holy ones. Each morning, I empty past hurts and loosen my grip on current struggles. Writer’s block has vanished. New beginnings rise.

I’m reminded that Jesus has no beginning and no end. He is the Alpha and the Omega. Perhaps He is the source of these images—appearing when the noise of the world finally fades.

I’m grateful for the upgrades.

If you’re seeking peace, give meditation a try.
Seek, and you shall find.

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Captain’s Addendum

Bones: “Michael, I’m a doctor, not a cartographer of invisible energy centers.”
Spock: “Nevertheless, Doctor, the Captain’s map demonstrates a logical integration of memory, presence, and meaning.”
Bones: “You’re saying he’s healing himself.”
Spock: “I am saying… he is finally listening.”

Michael’s Reflection:
Healing doesn’t always arrive with answers. Sometimes it arrives as awareness. When I stop fighting the moment and start inhabiting it, peace follows—quietly, faithfully.

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Scripture for the Journey

“Be still, and know that I am God.”
— Psalm 46:10

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Mission Log
Today’s meditation reminds me that growth doesn’t require full understanding—only willingness. One breath. One moment. One percent better.

Thank you for walking this path with me. May this reflection settle gently into your heart and follow you into prayer or quiet thought today.

How to Remove Sleep Anxiety

Stardate 12.27.2025

If you’re sleeping well, you can skip today’s story. Truly — congratulations.

If not, stay with me.

Sleep is a topic I’ve been exploring, tracking, and slowly improving. One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned is this: when sleep is done well, the day feels almost effortless. Energy is available. Focus comes easier. Life flows.

Ironically, one of the pitfalls of sleep tracking is that when your sleep quality declines, anxiety can increase. You notice the numbers. You worry about the numbers. And before long, you’re stuck in a loop — tired and anxious about being tired.

I found a helpful perspective while researching an entirely different topic. It came from a Shaolin monk who spoke about living fully in the present moment — even when preparing for sleep.

Think about what keeps you awake at night.
Is it something from the past you’re replaying?
Is it something on your calendar tomorrow that’s making you uneasy?

According to this monk, anything that pulls you into the past or pushes you into the future steals you from the present moment. And sleep, by its very nature, requires surrender to now.

Here’s the lesson that changed things for me.

Before you close your eyes, pause and express gratitude for this moment. Not for perfect sleep. Not for ideal numbers. Just gratitude for the state you’re about to enter — without judgment.

Sleep is a gift to be received, not a performance to be evaluated.

Let go of the past. It’s already happened and can’t be changed.
Release the future. It will arrive on its own, right on time.
Worrying about tomorrow only robs you of the rest meant for tonight.

Do this nightly, and over time, sleep anxiety begins to loosen its grip.

This is a long-term pursuit. When I wake up, I now track only two things: the amount of deep sleep and the amount of REM sleep. Whatever the numbers are, I’m grateful. Sleep quality tends to reflect the activity of the day before. When I’m consistent with movement and rhythm, the numbers usually follow.

And when they don’t? I stay grateful anyway — because I can build on what’s there.

The key is learning to return to the present moment and remain there… even as you fall asleep.

Give this practice thirty days.
See what happens.

Have a great day.

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🖖 Captain’s Addendum

Bones: “Michael, you’re telling me the problem isn’t sleep — it’s thinking about sleep?”
Spock: “That would be a logical conclusion, Doctor.”
Bones: “So worrying about rest keeps people from resting?”
Spock: “Correct. Acceptance reduces resistance. Resistance disrupts rest.”

Michael’s Reflection:
Sleep improved for me when I stopped demanding results and started receiving rest as a gift. Gratitude did what anxiety never could — it let me rest.

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📖 Scripture for the Journey
“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.”
— Psalm 4:8

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🛠 Mission Log
Status: Restoring
Objective: Release anxiety, practice gratitude, and remain present — day and night.

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🙏 Quiet Gratitude
Thank you for spending this moment with me. May tonight bring you rest that doesn’t need to be earned, measured, or explained — only received.

🖖

Why 2026 May Be My Most Rewarding Year Ever

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Stardate 12.26.2025

Ever since I decided to get professional help for the noisy, unhelpful thoughts inside my head, I’ve been learning how to lighten the load on my plate. One of the hardest lessons has been learning to say no—even to good and important things.

I’m human. I can only do so much without burning myself out.

What I’m discovering is that every no creates space for a more meaningful yes. By stepping back from some commitments, I’m finally making room to say yes to my calling. Over the next few years, my goal is to clear the plate entirely so I can eventually slip away into the sunset with my bride of 37 years and disappear for months at a time, soaking up life together.

The top priority heading into the New Year is teaming up with my siblings to support our mother as she works to regain her strength and vitality. She had a close call recently, and it reminded all of us how precious time really is. If you know my mom, you know she’s strong-willed. We’re not here to tell her what to do—we’re simply showing up to support her bold plan to turn back the clock.

She’s graciously given permission to share her journey toward health and wellness, and you may find yourself encouraged by her determination. Even a few of my friends in the biohacker community are watching closely.

Next on the agenda is an extra week off in February. My boss approved a week of winter leave so I can bask in the sun and restore my vitamin D levels before the winter blues have a chance to settle in. Living far north of the equator has taught me that seasonal rhythms matter. This dip shows up every year—and this time, I’m choosing to be proactive.

There’s another project on the launch pad for St. Patrick’s Day in March. I’ll share more details once the labor-and-delivery plans are finalized.

As for rewards, my mother already knows that if her fitness journey stays on track, she’ll be joining me for an international adventure in September. She has her own checklist to prepare for what’s ahead. That story will unfold in due time.

Our community has big hopes as well. We’re working toward a fundraising goal of 200,000 to build four outdoor pickleball courts. We’re deeply grateful for the business leaders and families who are stepping up to help make this vision a reality.

Finally, the blog-to-vlog transformation will happen slowly over the next twelve months. I’m embracing the idea of living life one percent better each day. Nothing flashy. Just showing up, sharing honestly, and letting progress compound.

Thank you for stopping by.
Have a great day.

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🖖 Captain’s Addendum

Bones: “Michael, that’s a lot of change for one year. You sure you’re not pushing it?”
Spock: “On the contrary, Doctor. The subject is removing excess, not adding strain.”
Bones: “So the reward isn’t doing more… it’s doing what matters?”
Spock: “Precisely. Sustainability is a logical indicator of long-term success.”

Michael’s Reflection:
The reward I’m chasing isn’t applause or achievement—it’s alignment. When my life matches my values, peace follows. That’s the kind of progress I want to keep.

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📖 Scripture for the Journey
“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.”
— Proverbs 16:3

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🛠 Mission Log
Status: Simplifying
Objective: Create space for calling, family, health, and service—one deliberate step at a time.

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🙏 Quiet Gratitude
Thank you for walking alongside me as this next chapter begins. May 2026 meet you with clarity, courage, and just enough grace for today.

🖖

Merry Christmas

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Stardate 12.25.2025

The wait is over.
A Savior is born.

He is called Emmanuel, which means God is with us. It doesn’t get any better than that.

The other day at my day job, all hell was breaking loose. As I headed out for a break, my boss looked at me and said, “Find some joy today.”

I did.

It wasn’t loud or flashy. It was the kind of joy you feel deep in your heart — the kind that doesn’t falter, no matter what storm you’re facing. The kind that steadies you when circumstances refuse to cooperate.

The One who calms the storms is now with us.
Not for a season.
Not for a moment.
But for all of eternity.

From my family to yours, I wish you a very Merry Christmas.
May the peace of Christ be with you today — and all days.

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🖖 Captain’s Addendum

Bones: “Michael, you’re telling me joy shows up even when things are falling apart?”
Spock: “Correct, Doctor. Joy is not dependent on external conditions.”
Bones: “Then what is it dependent on?”
Spock: “Presence. And today, the data confirms… Emmanuel.”

Michael’s Reflection:
Joy isn’t the absence of chaos. It’s the quiet assurance that we’re not alone in it. Christmas reminds me that God didn’t wait for the world to calm down before showing up. He came right into the middle of it.

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📖 Scripture for the Day
“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone.”
— Isaiah 9:2

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🙏 Quiet Gratitude
Thank you for sharing this holy day with me. May you carry the calm of Christ into every room you enter, and may His joy remain with you long after the decorations come down.

🖖

In Search of Kataluma for the Savior

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Stardate 12.24.2025

Nonbelievers have their reasons for questioning the Bible. Some will tell you Christmas Day is real, but the date itself was made up. Others will argue there was never truly a frantic search for an inn when Mary and Joseph were awaiting the birth of the Savior.

From my point of view, their argument can sound compelling—but it isn’t strong enough to erase one undeniable truth: God chose a humble beginning to enter our world and rescue it. The rescue mission was so quiet, so understated, that even the Enemy was caught off guard.

St. Luke—the author of one of the four Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles, which chronicles the spread of Christianity—was a physician before he became a writer. Imagine his astonishment as he witnessed Jesus restoring sight to the blind, healing the deaf and mute, casting out demons, and even walking on water. Jesus stunned him.

Luke did his best to record what he saw and learned so that future generations could better understand God’s Son, born in this particular window of human history. When Luke describes Mary and Joseph’s search for a place to stay, he uses the word kataluma—the Greek term for a guest room, most likely located within the home of extended family.

The Roman census required people to return to their ancestral towns. Bethlehem would have been overflowing with travelers. Space would have been scarce. As a result, Joseph and Mary were likely given shelter in a lower room—one typically reserved for animals, not people.

Centuries later, Church authorities designated Stardate 12.25.00 as the celebration of Jesus’ birth. If that’s the case, then this day—the one before—would have been the night Joseph and Mary settled into that animal-filled space.

That is humility in its purest form.

The world has changed dramatically over the last two thousand years—especially in the last decade. As crowded as our planet feels today, it’s hard to imagine a child being born in a place meant for animals. There were no gender-reveal parties back then. No baby showers. Apart from the Magi who followed the stars, there were no gifts at all.

And yet, there is a lesson here.

Tonight, when you go to bed, pause for a moment. Notice your mattress. Your blankets. Your pillow. Then consider Joseph and Mary—who couldn’t even find a kataluma. Think about the sacrifices this Holy Family made so that you and I might have a chance at eternal life.

Tomorrow is the big day.
Go to the Father’s house and celebrate.

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🖖 Captain’s Addendum

Bones: “Michael, I’ve delivered babies, and I’ll tell you this—no one plans for a birth in a barn.”
Spock: “Indeed, Doctor. Logic suggests the setting underscores intention rather than accident.”
Bones: “You mean God meant for it to be this humble?”
Spock: “Precisely. The absence of comfort amplifies the presence of purpose.”

Michael’s Reflection:
God didn’t enter the world through power or privilege. He came quietly, humbly, and close—so no one could say He doesn’t understand our limits. The lack of a kataluma didn’t delay the mission. It defined it.

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📖 Scripture for the Journey
“And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the guest room.”
— Luke 2:7

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🛠 Mission Log
Status: Ongoing
Objective: Remember the humility of the Incarnation and respond with gratitude, reverence, and love.

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🙏 Quiet Gratitude
Thank you for walking this holy ground with me today. May the simplicity of Christ’s arrival steady your heart and prepare it for the joy of tomorrow.

🖖

The Long Game

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Stardate 12.23.2025

Is the pursuit of your goals more like a sprint… or a marathon?

Pause for a moment and look back over the last twelve months. If you’re genuinely at peace with the progress you’ve made, there’s a good chance you’ve been playing the long game. Most of us, though, begin with strong intentions and plenty of enthusiasm, only to slow down when motivation fades. For me, the marathon never really ends—especially when it comes to goals worth keeping.

Here’s a helpful question to sit with today:
What would it look like to shift more of my goals into the long game so I don’t quit too soon?

One way I stay grounded is by attaching a clear why to each goal. Let me share an example close to my heart.

My 86-year-old mother is about to begin what some might call an impossible journey for someone her age. But she’s already farther along than many people ever get—because she’s broken through the biggest obstacle of all: self-limiting beliefs. If you believe something is impossible, it becomes impossible. The race ends before it ever begins.

The next decision she’s facing is simple, but powerful:
Is this a sprint or a marathon?

Right behind it comes another honest question:
How much skin is in the game?

Think about a month-to-month gym membership versus prepaying for a year. Which one is easier to walk away from? If you’re anything like me—and you don’t enjoy wasting hard-earned pesos—you choose the option that turns the goal into a commitment. When it costs something to quit, you’re far more likely to stay.

My mother loves to travel. What’s held her back recently are a few ailments and a lack of physical strength—both of which I truly believe can be improved with a steady, consistent workout plan. This isn’t about quick results. It’s about endurance.

Her why is clear: traveling to new places she’s never seen, alongside her family. She knows those adventures involve plenty of walking. That’s her marathon. And she’s choosing the long game.

Even better, she won’t be running it alone. Our family will be with her every step of the way.

She’s agreed to share monthly progress updates here, and I’m grateful for her willingness to do that. I believe her journey will encourage others to stay the course with their own goals. If this resonates with you as you look toward 2026, I invite you to check in regularly.

One quick disclaimer: I’m still learning the art of video interviews, so the early ones may not be polished. That’s my marathon. I’ll keep recording until I get vlogging right—one percent better each time.

Thank you for encouraging my family as we prepare for the road ahead. I hope today finds you steady, hopeful, and willing to play the long game.

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🖖 Captain’s Addendum

Bones: “Michael, this sounds like a lifetime commitment. Humans weren’t built for marathons.”
Spock: “On the contrary, Doctor. Logic suggests humans are uniquely designed for endurance when purpose is present.”
Bones: “So you’re saying belief keeps the legs moving?”
Spock: “Belief, Doctor—paired with consistency—extends capability beyond assumed limits.”

Michael’s Reflection:
That’s the truth, isn’t it? Purpose keeps us moving long after motivation fades. When belief and consistency work together, even the most daunting journeys become possible—one faithful step at a time.

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📖 Scripture for the Journey
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
— Galatians 6:9

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🙏 Quiet Gratitude
Thank you for walking alongside me today. May you carry this thought into prayer or stillness:
You don’t have to finish today—only to keep going.

What's On Your Calendar?

Stardate 12.22.2025

Are you feeling a bit stressed today?

For many, the holidays come with motion instead of peace—airports, highways, packed calendars, and expectations pulling us in every direction. I feel it too. When the world speeds up, it takes intention to slow the heart down.

A wise man once told me, “Always affect your environment—never let it affect you.”
That advice stuck.

One simple way I do that is by placing hope on my calendar. I like knowing there’s something ahead—something life-giving—to look forward to. I’m sharing this today because peace often begins with perspective.

Looking ahead to 2026, two dates already stand out for me.

The first is in February, a brief escape designed to help me recharge during the darker winter months and keep my Vitamin D—both physical and spiritual—where it needs to be.

The second sits near the end of the third quarter, when I plan to reunite in London with my international biohacker friends for our second global gathering. During one of our conversations, a leader encouraged me to share something deeply personal: my mother’s journey toward improved health.

At 86 years young, my mom is among the oldest participants in the DoNotAge community. She knows that if she wants to travel with us one day, she’ll need to be quicker on her feet—so she’s doing the work now. A simple routine. Daily movement. One percent better, one day at a time.

Watching her commit to this season has been quietly powerful.

If you’re feeling stuck, restless, or simply tired, maybe the answer isn’t another resolution—but a date on the calendar that reminds you hope still lives ahead of you.

In the coming weeks, I’ll share more—travel reflections, restaurant discoveries, and updates from my mom as she walks this path. I hope you’ll stay close and walk it with us.

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Captain’s Addendum

Bones: Jim—
Spock: Correction, Doctor. His name is Michael.
Bones: Right. Michael. Why does it sound like you’ve scheduled half the galaxy on that calendar of yours?
Spock: Anticipation is a proven method for sustaining morale. The Captain’s strategy is… sound.
Bones: Huh. Planning hope instead of chaos. I hate it when you’re right.
Spock: Your discomfort has been noted.

Michael’s Reflection:
Hope doesn’t always arrive as a miracle. Sometimes it shows up as a date circled in advance—an intentional reminder that this moment isn’t the whole story. One percent better starts with believing there’s something worth moving toward.

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Scripture of the Day

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
— Jeremiah 29:11

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Mission Log

Status: Steady
Focus: Health, hope, and forward motion
Objective: Affect the environment—daily

Thank you for spending a few moments here today.
May peace meet you right where you are, and may hope already be waiting on your calendar.

🖖 Live long and prosper—in purpose and in love.

Why Today is the Best Day to Jumpstart Your Quest

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Stardate 12.21.2025

There’s a reason I love this particular date on the calendar.

Today is the shortest day of the year—the moment when darkness reaches its peak and, quietly, almost imperceptibly, the light begins its return. From this day forward, sunrise comes a little earlier. Sunset lingers a little longer. Mother Nature adds a few more seconds of sunshine each day.

That matters to me.

I already know my body struggles when sunlight is scarce. Like many of us, winter can take a toll—physically, mentally, spiritually. So instead of waiting for spring… or January… or the perfect moment, I’m choosing today to make positive changes. Today marks the beginning of my one-percent-better sunshine quest.

Six months is enough time to build a new life.

Think about that.

You don’t need a dramatic overhaul or a flawless plan. You simply tell your brain, I’m on a journey toward better health and wellness, and then you start looking for creative ways to support that decision. Small steps. Consistent steps. Daily steps.

If you start today, you gain a ten-day head start on most of the population still waiting to hop on the New Year’s resolution bandwagon—only to fall off before January turns the page.

Mindset is everything.

I’ve always liked moving a little against the grain, which is why biohacking speaks to me. At its core, it’s not about gadgets or trends—it’s about curiosity. About running small, thoughtful experiments to better understand the connection between mind, body, and spirit.

And this time, I have extra inspiration.

My 86-year-old mother has decided to embark on a quest few people her age would even consider—a commitment to maximizing her health, vitality, and well-being. If you stay with me over the next six months, I have a feeling you’re going to be inspired by her journey. My siblings are stepping in to help. And together, we’re choosing progress over passivity.

Why not join us?

What do you really have to lose?

This isn’t a “white-knuckle January resolution” destined to fade by February. This is a quest—designed to help you build momentum, supported by the steady return of light itself. Mother Nature is on your side for the next six months.

If you can stay the course—one percent better each day—you won’t just feel different.
You’ll be different.

Have a great day.

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Captain’s Addendum

Bones: Shortest day of the year, huh? Sounds like a strange time to start anything, Jim—uh, Michael.
Spock: On the contrary, Doctor. Initiating change at the point of minimum daylight is… statistically elegant.
Bones: Elegant? I was thinking stubborn.
Spock: The Captain has demonstrated that incremental progress, applied consistently, produces outsized results.
Bones: Well, I’ll admit it—starting before everyone else piles onto resolutions does have a certain… logic.
Spock: Indeed. Illogical timing often yields the most meaningful outcomes.

Michael’s Reflection:
They’re both right. This isn’t about perfect conditions—it’s about choosing movement when it would be easier to wait. Light doesn’t return all at once. It comes back quietly, faithfully, one small increase at a time. So does growth.

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Scripture of the Day

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
— John 1:5

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Mission Log

Status: Quest initiated at winter’s turning point
Objective: Improve health and wellness one percent at a time
Allies: Family, faith, and the returning light
Outlook: Hopeful, steady, committed

Thank you for walking this journey with me. May today’s small increase in light remind you that meaningful change often begins when it’s hardest to see.

Why Does God Hide His Ways?

Stardate 12.20.2025

Have you ever wondered why the Bible can feel so difficult to understand?
Or why God’s ways seem so different from our own?

I think about that often.

The Enemy doesn’t operate that way. His methods are easy to recognize once you’ve seen them enough times—trickery, deceit, lies, and half-truths. Every broken system in our world can be traced back to that same playbook. Confuse the truth. Distort identity. Separate the heart from its Creator.

God’s ways are different.

They are deeper. Quieter. Hidden.

And I believe that’s intentional.

In my opinion, God hides Himself just enough to make finding Him irresistible. If everything were obvious and effortless, we might never lean in. Never seek. Never grow. Think about the pursuits that mattered most in your life. You invested time. You studied. You followed clues. You refused to quit.

Discovering who God is—and who you are—is the greatest pursuit of all.

Some people find that clarity early. Others don’t discover it until their final breath. I found out who I was when I finally asked Jesus to show me. I knocked. He answered.

What followed wasn’t neat or quiet.

The Enemy showed up too.

I was drawn back to a familiar Bible story—the man possessed by demons. Those demons recognized Jesus immediately. They knew exactly who He was. And they tried to twist God’s plans, just as they always do.

But Jesus stepped in.

The demons fought hard. They didn’t want to let go. And Jesus used His favorite weapon—not force, not fear, but words. With authority and compassion, He set the man free.

In that moment, I understood something eternal.

Jesus will go any distance to find the lost.

When the grip finally loosened, I saw myself in that man—once bound, now free. And I heard words spoken two thousand years ago, yet alive as if they were spoken directly to me:

“Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee.”
— Luke 8:39 (KJV)

One word stopped me cold.

Published.

That word is quietly hidden in many modern translations. But there it was—clear as day—in the translation I was holding. And it struck a chord deep in my soul, because I am a publisher.

Time is no obstacle for Jesus.

Ask, and you will receive.
Knock, and the door will open.
Invite Him in—and when He reveals what He’s been doing all along, don’t keep it to yourself.

Share it.

That’s my purpose.

What’s yours?

May you live long and prosper.
Have a great day.

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Captain’s Addendum

Bones: “You’re telling me God hides truth on purpose, Spock? That sounds… inefficient.”
Spock: “On the contrary, Doctor. Discovery achieved through pursuit is retained far longer than information freely handed over.”
Bones: “So you’re saying faith requires curiosity?”
Spock: “Indeed. And courage.”

Michael’s Reflection:
Some answers aren’t missing—they’re waiting. God isn’t distant; He’s inviting us to seek, to knock, to grow. Every step toward Him reveals not just who He is, but who we were always meant to be.

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Encouraging Scripture

“It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings.”
— Proverbs 25:2

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Mission Log

Today’s mission is simple: keep seeking.
Truth unfolds for those willing to pursue it—one question, one prayer, one step at a time.

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A Closing Thought
Thank you for walking this journey with me. May today’s words stir your curiosity, steady your faith, and draw you closer to the God who loves to be found.

🖖

A Mother's Prayer

🌅 A Mother’s Prayer

Stardate 12.19.2025

There’s a woman in the Bible named Monica who has always reminded me of my own mother.

Monica was the mother of a son who lost his way. He chased pleasure, intellect, and independence with reckless abandon. By most accounts, he wandered as far from Heaven as a human heart can roam. And yet—Monica never stopped praying.

She prayed with tears.
She prayed with patience.
She prayed with expectation.

She trusted that God would intervene and bring home the lost sheep.

My mother is much the same—except her flock is larger. She has six sheep of her own, plus a growing pasture of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She reminded me recently, with a mix of humor and gravity, that she’s now the oldest female in her extended family. That carries weight. And wisdom.

Without crossing any lines of confidentiality, I’ll say this plainly:
My life before meeting my wife was filled with errors.
I felt lost. I felt helpless. And I didn’t always know how to ask for help.

But my mother never stopped praying.

She prayed that each of her children would find the right partner—the kind of soulmate who helps you grow, not drift. Looking back now, I tip my hat to the spouses and significant others in the Mulligan clan. They are gifts. Anchors. Quiet miracles.

There’s a fine line between saints and sinners. Often, the difference isn’t perfection—it’s grace. And sometimes, it’s simply a mother’s prayer that refuses to quit.

Monica is now known as Saint Monica.
And the wayward son she never stopped praying for?
He became Saint Augustine.

Thank you, Mom, for never giving up.
May you live long and prosper.
Have a great day.

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🖖 Captain’s Addendum

Bones: Jim—sorry—Michael… remind me why mothers always seem to know we’re headed for trouble before we do?
Spock: Doctor, maternal intuition combined with persistence is statistically formidable.
Bones: Translation: you can run, but you can’t hide from a praying mother.
Spock: Precisely. Resistance, in such cases, is illogical.

Michael’s Reflection:
Their banter makes me smile because it’s true. Long before I knew where I was going, my mother was already praying me there. Growth didn’t come all at once—it came one faithful prayer at a time. One percent better, day by day.

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📖 Scripture of the Day

“The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
— James 5:16

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🛂 Mission Log

Entry: Honoring the quiet power of faithful mothers
Status: Grateful
Objective: Encourage hope, extend grace, and trust God’s timing

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Thank you for reading and reflecting with me today. May you carry gratitude for the prayers that cover you—and offer one of your own for someone still finding their way.

☘️ Surprise! Irish Triplet Now in the 3rd Trimester!

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Stardate 12.18.2025

We are one week away from one of the most extraordinary birthdays of all time — Christmas Day.
A birthday shared by two Mulligans: my dad and my Uncle Mike.

Uncle Mike always insisted it was a rip-off.

Twin boys.
One birthday.
One Christmas.
One combined present.

Legend has it he was so mad he ran away from home on Christmas Day.

Their older brother, Tom, decided he’d level the playing field by declaring he would have a baby born on St. Patrick’s Day. Whether sibling rivalry had anything to do with it, only God knows — but history shows He has a sense of humor.

In our family line, there are already two Mulligans born on St. Patrick’s Day.

And now… I’m adding my contribution.

☘️ An Irish Triplet Announcement

I’m happy (and slightly awed) to announce that I will soon be the father of Irish Triplets —
all born on…

drum roll please
cue the bagpipes
enter a choir of angels and a procession of saints

St. Patrick’s Day, Stardate 03.17.2026. 

I can only imagine the Mulligan boys already in Heaven raising their glasses in celebration, all six of them along with two sisters who were both angels on earth. That Irish bar up there has enough ancestors to fill Kinnick Stadium — and I picture every single one of them waving back at us when the moment arrives.

📖 Gestation, God-Style

Only God controls the gestation period of my books.
Each one is unique.
Each one arrives on time — His time.

This third Irish triplet is well into the third trimester now. Like the others, labor and delivery are… complicated. I’ll share more as we get closer to the due date.

For now, I’ll simply say this:

All credit goes to Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. My bracelet sums it up well –– I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  Philippians 4:13

Have a great day.

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🖖 Captain’s Addendum

Bones: Hold on… did he just say Irish triplets? Spock, that’s not medically advisable.
Spock: Doctor, your concern is noted. However, the Captain appears to be referring to literary offspring, not biological ones although logs show the captain has a biological daughter also born on the same day increasing the probability of a statistical anomaly unexplained in human terms.
Bones: Well that’s a relief. Still — three at once?
Spock: Highly illogical… yet entirely consistent with the Captain’s life trajectory. Logic dictates that Irish triplets do not have to be born on the same day provided they are born within three years although it is highly unlikely to birth three offspring on the same day three times.  This is statistically improbable.
Bones: I’ll say this much — if Heaven’s throwing a party, I hope they saved us a seat.  I overhead the captain say his grandmother on his father's side planned her own Irish wake and made all her own funeral arrangements with an opening song, "When the Saints Go Marching In."  I'd be honored to do an Irish jig with that lassie.  
Spock: Probability suggests they have.  Perhaps, doctor, you may consider elective surgery to correct your two human left feet before entering the dance floor with Michael's grandmother to eliminate risk of injury.

Michael’s Reflection

This made me laugh — and then it made me pause. God has a way of stacking meaning on meaning, joy on joy, often without warning. What feels surprising to us is often perfectly timed from Heaven’s point of view. One percent better, one faithful step at a time, and suddenly you’re standing inside a story you couldn’t have planned — but wouldn’t trade for anything.

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📖 Scripture of the Day

“The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.”
— Psalm 126:3

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🙏 Closing Thought

Thank you for walking this journey with me — for smiling, praying, and believing alongside me. May today remind you that God is still writing beautiful chapters, even when the timing feels unexpected.

Live long.
Prosper in purpose.
And walk boldly in divine love.

AI Assistant Shares Prophetic Message

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Stardate 12.17.2025

Our God is an awesome God.

Today, I want to take you briefly behind the scenes and offer a glimpse into how I collaborate with artificial intelligence to breathe life into these stories. What you’re reading isn’t automation — it’s discernment, dialogue, and a surprising amount of prayer woven into modern tools.

This reflection is a follow-up to yesterday’s entry, “Access Granted,” which featured a verse from one of my favorite prophets, Jeremiah.

If you know my family, you know the number three carries special meaning for us. So when Alberta paired that story with Jeremiah 33:3, my curiosity was stirred. I wanted to understand the deeper context — not just the verse, but the moment it was born into.

Here’s what Alberta shared when I asked for the backstory.

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The Backdrop Behind Jeremiah 33:3

Jeremiah wasn’t speaking from a place of comfort or credibility.  I can relate to this big time.  There hasn't been much comfort during my recent private trials and I've never claimed any credibility whatsoever for my writing since I'm untrained and unskilled, mostly just wandering around one day at a time trusting God will show up and do the heavy lifting.

Jeremiah was imprisoned.

King Zedekiah had confined him while Jerusalem was under siege by Babylon. The city was surrounded. Collapse felt inevitable. Jeremiah had spent years warning the people, and when his words began coming true, he was silenced and locked away.

From a human perspective, this should have been the moment hope went quiet.

Instead, God spoke.

Jeremiah 33 appears within what scholars call The Book of Consolation (chapters 30–33). These are some of Scripture’s most hope-filled promises — spoken not after deliverance, but in the middle of devastation.

That’s when God says:

“Call to Me and I will answer you, and tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.”

A few truths stand out:

• Jeremiah had no access — no platform, no freedom, no influence

• The nation was unraveling — politically, spiritually, physically

• The promise wasn’t escape, but revelation

• God didn’t say when things improve — He said call to Me.  By the way, I did the same thing just before my 50th birthday ten days before the 4th of July.  I wrote about it and publicly raised my hands to the heavens sending up smoke signals.  You can click here to find that story in the archives and see how God answered my desperate plea for help.

The Hebrew meaning behind “hidden things” suggests fortified or walled-off realities — truths humans cannot reach on their own. God was saying, There are things you cannot access by effort, force, or permission — but I can open them.

This wasn’t a motivational verse.
It was a prison verse.
A siege verse.
A waiting-room verse.

God was telling Jeremiah:
Even here. Even now. I still answer. I still reveal. I still grant access.

That’s why this Scripture fit yesterday’s story so naturally.

The answer didn’t come in a sanctuary.
It arrived while waiting. Watched. Limited by circumstance.

Jeremiah 33:3 reminds us that God doesn’t need the door to open to speak. Sometimes revelation comes because the door stayed shut.

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Captain’s Addendum

Bones: Let me get this straight, Spock — the Captain’s stuck in a holding pattern, the doors are closed, and that’s when the message comes through?

Spock: Precisely, Doctor. Logic suggests revelation often occurs when external variables are removed.

Bones: Hmph. Sounds like God’s got a strange sense of timing.

Spock: Or perhaps humanity has an unrealistic expectation of convenience.

Bones: You saying waiting rooms are holy ground now?

Spock: Under the right conditions… undeniably so.

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Michael’s Reflection

That exchange makes me smile because it names something I keep learning the hard way. Access doesn’t always look like permission slips and open doors. Sometimes it looks like patience, confinement, and trust.

This season of my life is a bit topsy-turvy. There are unanswered questions and a project unfolding on God’s timetable, not mine. But Jeremiah 33:3 reminds me — and maybe you — that God specializes in revealing what we can’t force.

If you’re waiting today, watched by circumstances, unsure of next steps… you’re not forgotten.

You might be closer to revelation than you think.  Make sure you come back in a couple of days for an important announcement.  It has something to do with the number 3.

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Scripture of the Day

“Call to Me and I will answer you, and tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.”
— Jeremiah 33:3

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Thank you for walking this road with me — for praying, encouraging, and believing alongside me.

May today bring you patience in the waiting, clarity in the quiet, and faith to trust that access is already being granted.

🖖
Live long. Prosper in purpose. Walk boldly in divine love.

Access Granted

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Stardate 12.16.2025

Yesterday, I shared a flashback moment with an angel who has been watching over a loved one.

It took me back to St. Patrick’s Day — Stardate 03.17.2025 — inside the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

“I’m here to pray on the 12th floor,” I told the receptionist, “and afterward, I’d like to visit the most important person in this building.”

I was carrying a backpack.
She studied me for a moment, then quietly directed me across the hall to security.

Eyes followed me as I checked in and waited. The person I’d been sent to speak with was on a lunch break. Another kind soul stepped in to help, explaining it might be a while. Meanwhile, security never quite stopped watching.

I explained why I was there.
Why the 12th floor mattered so much to me.
Why this wasn’t a casual visit.

The prayer and meditation room on that floor is normally off-limits — protected for the privacy of patients and families. Each time staff gently suggested I leave, I pushed back. Not out of defiance, but out of necessity.

This was a labor-and-delivery situation only God could resolve.

I was stuck between a rock and a hard place.
Security wasn’t going anywhere.
And then — the miracle arrived quietly.

I checked my phone.

Amazon notification.
The Adventures of Castaway Wilson had just been released.

Right there.
In a hospital waiting room.

Mission accomplished.

I had become the father of Irish twins — two books, born one year apart on St. Patrick’s Day. Both sharing the same purpose: to raise money for the children on the 12th floor of the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital, overlooking Kinnick Stadium.

Every game, 70,000 fans turn and wave to those kids at the end of the first quarter. It’s a brief moment of joy — a reminder that they are seen, supported, and loved.

I never made it to the prayer and meditation room that day.

I didn’t need to.

The prayer had already been answered — quietly, while I waited.

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Yesterday was different.

This time, my wife and I wore name badges.
Access granted.
We even had a personal escort.

“Where are you headed?” the ambassador asked.

“The prayer and meditation room,” I said. “My life was saved here after a serious auto accident. I spent a lot of time in that room. Today, I need to offer prayers of thanksgiving for a loved one who’s here.”

As we walked, I noticed an owl displayed in the hallway and stopped to take a photo. It reminded me of the Pueo owl in Hawaii — a guardian figure that appears during times of danger.

I first learned about the Pueo on the Big Island, during dinner our first night at Pueo’s Osteria. Some symbols arrive long before we understand why.

I’ll be the first to admit my life feels a bit topsy-turvy right now. I need all the help I can get. There’s a top-secret project unfolding — one that will be completed according to God’s perfect timing.

All the signs tell me I’m on the right path.

Stay tuned.

And to those of you in my prayer-warrior circle: thank you. Your prayers are supporting a loved one in need. They matter more than you know.

Have a great day.

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Captain’s Addendum

Bones: You’re telling me you got blocked by security and got your miracle in the waiting room?
Spock: Doctor, miracles rarely occur according to institutional protocols.
Bones: Well I’ll be… So the Captain didn’t get access — until he didn’t need it.
Spock: Precisely. Permission is sometimes granted after the outcome is secured.
Bones: That’s… actually comforting.
Spock: Logic and faith occasionally arrive at the same conclusion.

Michael’s Reflection:
Sometimes God answers the prayer before we reach the place we thought we needed to be. Access isn’t always about doors opening — sometimes it’s about realizing heaven already stepped into the room.

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Scripture for the Journey

“Call to Me and I will answer you, and tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.”
— Jeremiah 33:3

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Mission Log

Status: Access granted — then understood
Observation: God’s timing precedes our permission
Objective: Remain faithful, attentive, and grateful

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Thank you for sharing this quiet, holy moment with me. May you notice today where grace has already gone ahead of you — and may that awareness settle your heart in prayer or stillness.