Mark Nelson O'Brien

I wrote this post for BIZCAT360 after getting innumerable solicitations from ostensible self-help groups. Here's an excerpt:

I’ve never subscribed to any of the groups and programs to which I’m so often invited. I have, however, read this book. And I strongly suspect what’s missing from all those groups and programs is this fact: There isn’t a group, a person, or a program in the world that’s going to give you passion, mojo, power, self-worth, convictions, self-love, courage, and self-faith....

This is a contemplation about two songs that influenced me as a young man. I published it on BIZCAT 360. Here's an excerpt:

At some point in my wayward youth, it occurred to me that two of the songs I listened to frequently are thematically related. The first is “Fire and Rain” by James Taylor, from his 1970 album, Sweet Baby James. The second is “Too Much Seconal” by Johnny Winter, from his 1973 album, Still Alive and Well ... James Taylor and Johnny Winter were among my first musical idols....

This is a piece I wrote for BIZCAT 360 following a conversation on the weekly Friendship Bench. Here's an excerpt:

I was involved in a discussion recently, prompted by this question: What’s the difference between a calling and a purpose? I think the question was supposed to have been perceived as loaded. But the distinction seemed clear and elementary to me. (More on that shortly.) I was much more curious about why so many people seem so curious about callings and purposes these days.

As you...