Lifes A Bitch and then things got worse

Have you ever had one of those days when nothing goes right from morning to night? I am sure we all have had those days. Is there something we can do about it or are we just stuck with circumstances?

Let me tell you, we are not stuck with circumstances and we sure can do something about those terrible days.

First, let me tell you about 2005.

2005 was probably the worst year of my life. I have been a millionaire four times ( real estate-70’s, business-80’s, stock market-90’s and the Internet-2000

) and by the end of 2005 I was completely broke.

Just for clarity today is February 15, 2006 and I am on my way to becoming a millionaire once again, only this time I’m going to keep what I earn.

Now, why am I completely broke? This is especially important to entrepreneurs, consultants, coaches and trainers…

I am currently broke because I consulted for a fellow in 1997 who was not completely honest, in fact, he is a liar and a cheat.

His lies put me in jeopardy of violating a federal law and because of my consulting in private with him the rest of the people in his company considered me as a “silent partner,” which I was not.

On my birthday, October 24, 2000 I received an indictment from the federal government accusing me or aiding and abetting, etc. ( 13 charges in all ).

Five years of federal court proceedings and at the end of trial, the jury convicted him of 13 counts and me of 11.

Before sentencing I asked the court for a new attorney because I wasn’t satisfied with the defense that was presented on my behalf. The court agreed and assigned a new attorney.

The sentencing was postponed for me because the new attorney had to read the complete trial transcript in order to make a proposal for a new trial.

About four months later, I meet with him in his office conference room. I was seated and he walked in carrying the complete transcript, dropped it on the desk with a bang and said “You don’t have a prayer in hell of getting a new trial – there is no legal reason for the court to grant you a new trial.”

I had only seen him once, in court and then four months later as indicated. He noticed a huge change in my appearance. When he asked me what was going on I told him that I had contracted cirrhosis of the liver and that was the reason for my current condition.

He suggested that that was definitely good for me in sentencing because the courts are normally easier on those who have a serious medical condition.

He also asked me what I had been doing for the last six months because the co-defendant during his appeal actually started a new scam and pissed off the judge and the prosecutors. He got 4.3 years in federal prison. They had no mercy on this idiot.

I indicated that my last six months or a little over 180days ( 24/7 ) I had worked with a single mom who was addicted to “meth” ( considered currently the worst drug on the street ) and she wanted to get “clean” ( get off of the drugs ). I agreed to help her and in the time limit indicated we worked together and she is now clean ( off of “meth” ).

We completed all the goals we set and I have not seen or heard from her since December 8, 2005 and I wish her the best. By the way, she is a single mom with two great children – one girl 7yrs and one boy 4yrs. They are happy she is back. Believe it or not they knew she was gone, even though she was around them when she was on “meth.”

My attorney asked for me to get a letter from her to the court. We sent in the letter and those two items were in my favor: my medical condition and my latest activity of working with this single mom.

The court ordered me to be sentenced and as in all federal courts allowed me to make a presentation on my behalf which can affect my sentence. I have been making successful presentations for over 50 years.

My presentation lasted just under 30 minutes and I related how I had remorse for those who were stung by this guy’s scam along with stories that related to my situation.

The judge waived all fees and sentenced me to 30 days in a federal detention center. ( This is what the federal government calls a mandatory minimum ) Because of my medical condition I needed special nutrition along with the 16 pills I was required to take each morning.

I served 14 days in Seal Beach Detention Center and they transferred me to MDC ( Metropolitan Detention Center ) in Los Angeles where I served the rest of my 12 days.

I actually served 25 days because I had two days credit for processing when I was arrested in 2000 and MDC doesn’t release on Saturday or Sunday so I was released on Friday, February 3, 2006.

I got back to my apartment to find a writ to evict which meant that I needed to be out by the 5th of February, 2 days later. I lived there for 13 years.

Well, I know you get the idea and understand why 2005 was the worst year of my life. And, you might be asking yourself “Why is this guy telling the whole world about this experience. Wouldn’t it be easier just not to say anything?”

I’m an honest man and I got convicted because I was consulting privately for this scam artist. I am not bitter, in fact, I relish the experience.

Just a suggestion, be very cautious who you are dealing with and cover your butt so that you cannot possibly get into this kind of trouble.

So here is the real beginning of the story. Today I am homeless and disabled. I’ve lost all my furniture, my savings are gone, my business has been destroyed, my clients are gone, I’m broke ( except for my retirement check from the government and my disability check ).

I now live in a rented cargo van. I was able to keep my expensive mattress which is in the back and I am very active everyday compared to staying home and watching “Oprah” which is what I did, waiting to be sentenced.

I spend all of my time at the library which is where I am writing this story. I am extremely happy and have peace and joy in my life. I have only one true friend “Carol” who graciously worked with me through this entire ordeal. She is a champion.

I’m starting over, at 64. There is no holding me back.

I will be more successful than I’ve ever been. 2006 is going to my best year, ever.

I will write again in my next article to tell you how I was able to get through all of this. In fact, I want to finish this article by telling you what the most important word in any language is…

The most important word in any language is ATTITUDE.

Let me tell you why.

When you strive for winning you want to win and reach what percentage of success?

The highest percentage of success is 100%.

Let’s have some fun. Take the word ATTITUDE and assign a numerical value to each of the individual letters according to their position in the alphabet.

So, A = 1, T = 20, T = 20, I = 9, T again is 20, U is 21, D = 4 and E is 5. Do you dare add these together.

You can be super successful in your life by holding the right attitude. Of course, you can have a bad attitude and never accomplish anything. The choice is yours.

By holding the right attitude and incorporating what I write in the next article you will become a positive, progressive and productive winner in all the things you attempt. The only way to fail is to quit.

Now, don’t misunderstand me… SOME DAYS ARE GOING TO BE A BITCH - OR ARE THEY? The choice is yours.



Lifes A Bitch and then things got worse - To learn more about this author, visit Christian Mickelsen's Website.

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