Tag Archives: michael johnson

The very best roadtrip companion: Michael Johnson’s ‘Throwin’ my Loop’ audio CD – we laughed, we cried… the time whizzed by! (no affiliation)

As most of you know, Hubby and I drove to and from Wyoming recently… about 14 hours each way.

As with most road trips, eventually, after a few hours of chit chat, snack shopping and radio bartering, it becomes time to settle in for the long haul. For most of us, we hope for that magical conversation/radio entertainment/perfect music compilation to make the time fly.

My favorite way to hunker down is to get totally engrossed in an audio book. Hubby, too. So this trip, I brought all 4 volumes of Micheal Johnson’s ‘THROWIN’ MY LOOP’ compilation audio CDs. (No affiliation)

Michael Johnson is the author of one of my all time favorite audio CDs, “Healing Shine”.

Click to see more…

WHAT IS THE ‘THROWING MY LOOP’ COMPILATION?

The ‘Throw’ My Loop’ compilation is a set of 4 audio CDs (you can get them one at a time) made up of the best of Michael Johnson’s syndicated column – voiced by Michael Johnson.

The ‘voiced by Michael Johnson’ part is not to be ignored… You see, not only are the life stories invaluable (dogs, horses, cowboys, love, loss, life lessons…), but if you haven’t ever heard Johnson’s down home ‘Oklahoma by way of Texas’ drawl, well then you are in for a treat!

Johnson’s voice is a character in itself… its soft gravel is like having a cowboy poet guardian angel sitting in the car with you, chatting about life and such. Kinda like the mashup of John Wayne and Will Rogers sharing the ride…

We loved every pearly note… Hubby and I cried, laughed, nodded, smiled, whimsied, sighed, winked and did just about every other kind of appreciative gesture known to listeners worldwide when something resonates profoundly.

If you can, get this set or put it on your Xmas list… whatever you need to hear, I’m pretty sure, you’ll find it in one of these stories.

AS IF THEY WERE WRITTEN FOR YOU.

That is exactly my takeaway from listening to these volumes: it was that they were written for me, which of course, they weren’t specifically, but you know, they were… because so many of these stories touched me, specifically.

And even though I didn’t know that I needed to hear any of it; it was all exactly what I needed to hear.

Same with Hubby… he felt the stories applied to him… And, he thought of a few other people that could benefit from particular stories as well.

Rowdy dog… (That’s his name.)

HOW MICHAEL INTRODUCES THE VOLUMES…

The first thing you hear is Michael’s CowAngel drawl as he introduces his archives. This is what he says:

Greetings. I’m Michael Johnson and welcome to “Throwing My Loop.” That’s the name
of a syndicated column I wrote for a few dozen magazines across America and Canada for twenty years. None unfortunately, were the Saturday Evening Post, but mostly small rural
magazines, some devoted to farm life, others to rodeo, a couple of corporate groups who had their own publications like National Rural Water, and when you combine all those subscriptions, the column reached a sizeable number, I suppose. The stories, with different characters and settings, are all true stories and all are about the same thing…my obsession, and that is, What makes us rise?” What makes us care and try? What is it that really helps us? Since I was a child, I have wondered about that. Where that obsession came from, I have no idea, but it’s always been there – this deep desire to understand what causes us to rise. I even obtained a doctorate in psychology to learn the answer to that question. Sadly, they didn’t know either, but I didn’t give up the quest. For thirty years I’ve wondered , and it is with great joy that I can tell you along the way some answers have been provided. Sometimes it’s a kind word, sometimes it’s a scolding from someone who loves us. Sometimes it’s wood ducks lighting on the pond, and sometimes it’s rain…and so much more.
The stories you are about to hear are about people, good horses, and good dogs who lifted me up and gave me hope. They taught me something of value and that is – that we are stronger than we think and more than we know. And now it’s my fondest wish these stories do the same for you – these tales I’ve heard while throwing my loop.

I’m Michael Johnson and I ask…
that you be encouraged in your good works!

I knew immediately that I was going to like everything that followed…

HOW TO OBTAIN AND LISTEN FOR YOURSELVES! (No Affiliation)

I’m keeping my set in my car to listen at will. I think each time I pop in a disc, I might hear another perfect message for me in that moment.

Here is a link to find the CDs or CD set on Michael’s website. Have fun and please tell me how much you enjoyed these stories – tell me which stories touched you.

I’m smiling… I think you will be very happy after Michael Johnson plucks your heartstrings and sets your mind free.

This is a photo of me and Hubby in Wyoming. I’m on Paco, who I only rode for a short time because he stepped on a rock and became sore (he has his tongue out in this photo) and Hubby is on his new girlfriend, Rose. Hubby adored her!~ She was half Walker and half Quarterhorse. We look like we are standing in front of a backdrop. But, we were actually outside, in front of the Grand Tetons. Rose and Paco HATED each other. The wranglers told us to keep them apart. Tough to take a good photo when the horses are all pinny eared at each other…

Your purchase with Riding Warehouse through this link helps the Bucket Fund!

HORSE AND MAN is a blog in growth... if you like this, please pass it around!

A bit of CHEER for those of us who need it this holiday season… from Michael Johnson.

Sometimes Inspiration and Angels come to us in unusual ways…

I hope this prose from our friend, MIchael Johnson, will land upon those who need it most.

FROM MICHAEL JOHNSON

THROWING MY LOOP…
Michael Johnson

A BETTER WAY TO LIVE…
At 35, he was a wandering derelict – a hopeless alcoholic thinking about spending his last few dollars on a suicide pistol. Then, something happened. Later, he began to write and the day would come when thousands from all walks of life would say his words helped them change their lives for the better. Today, his 16 books have sold 36 million copies world-wide. What on earth could have been so powerful in this man’s life to create such a change? You might be surprised to hear the answer…
He went to a library! His name was Og Mandino.
When Og Mandino was in the valley – on his way to the end of lonely street – he happened to stop in at a library and read a few books – both modern and classic – about people who had been at rock bottom and yet came back. Moved by the books, instead of killing himself, he decided to change his life for the better and help others do the same.
I’ve met many people who have done something similar. Not that they sold million of books, but they did in fact, make profound changes in their lives. How do people do that?
First, there has to be pain. People who make dramatic turnarounds always tell the story of being in an unpleasant situation. Death of a loved one, divorce, loss of a job – something so painful the person is desperate to find a different place. Dissatisfaction with our lives can be a powerful motivator and spur us on to do things we didn’t know we could do – if the pain is bad enough.
Reminds me of an old joke…
A farmer is sitting on his porch as a salesman approaches. The salesman notices the farmer’s dog lying beside him, and the dog is crying. “Why is your dog crying?” asks the salesman.
“Oh, him?” says the farmer. “I think he’s sitting on a nail.”
“Why doesn’t he move?” asks the salesman.
The farmer replies, “I guess it’s not hurting him enough to do anything about it yet.”
Once we decide “something must be done,” we enter Phase Two of all turnarounds.
Since we are desperate enough…we go out in the world and try. That is the moment – if you listen closely – you can hear the angels begin to sing. (Angels can’t do much if you sit on the couch and mope.)
When we go out in the world and try, the very first thing that happens – this always happens – is that we run into somebody who tells us we can’t. For some reason I can’t explain our first encounter is often with some smarmy jerk who says things like, “You’re not college material,” or “Aren’t you a bit old to be doing this?” Or “If I were you, I wouldn’t quit my day job.” (I swear if I ever hear anyone say that again, I’m going to stab them.) But take heart – you are about to enter Phase 3 of all turnarounds…
Keep on. If we go out in the world, there’s a 50/50 chance something is going to happen. If we don’t try, there is a 100% chance nothing will happen.
Keep on because if you keep trying, something is coming to help you. Might be in the form of a book – like Og – or sooner or later, you are going to meet a positive person with some sense. One of these (angels?) will say, “Other people did it. I don’t see why you can’t.” And others will come. After suffering through the highs and lows, bumps and spills, one day you will realize, “I’ll be darn. I didn’t do so badly after all.” If you keep trying, they come. Have faith.
I had a student once. She couldn’t speak English. She worked two jobs all the while she attended school. She graduated with honors. I asked her how she did that…
“I’m the opposite of paranoid,” she said.
“What is that – the opposite of paranoid? What does that mean?” I asked.
She said, “If I worked hard enough, I always knew there was a conspiracy of people out there who were going to help me.”

– Michael Johnson

Someone just got their wings!

Click to purchase jewelry that helps the horses!

Donor Gift Certificates Available! “A donation was made in your honor…”. Our December Bucket Fund Horses! The Old Gentleman Cinny, Lila the Mini-Donk and the H&M ReWilding Program! Click here!