Death, for the most part, sucks. Even if you think it would be best, for whatever situation, when it happens, it's not just not fun. But, death is incredibly important for the whole process of life to work. Death may not be fun, but its sobering reality is what makes the things that are fun … Continue reading Death
Author: Fox Michaels
Fox Michaels is a Certified Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Practitioner from the Academy of Modern Applied Psychology. He is an intuitive leader with more than 15 years experience as a trainer. In his spare time, Fox writes the ongoing blog Like a Fox!, where he shares his fun, joyful approach to life and love, as his own way of contributing to the Human Potential Movement. When not reading from his library full of personal development books, you can find Fox enjoying the cinema perks of being on AMC’s A-List, and also working to make sure that he’s the most stylish man on his own Instagram page. Feel free to check out if he's succeeding with that @foxmichaels.
Caution
Caution is wise to practice but important keep in check. Being overly cautious may just be a cover for fear, whether it's justified or invented. As with anything, moderation is key when it comes to caution.
Behavior
Your behavior is how you respond to situations and the actions of others. It's also how you choose to treat others. And your behavior is basically broadcast from a mile away, to anyone observant enough. As it is, most people are so wrapped up in themselves and the hypnosis of modern technology that they can't … Continue reading Behavior
Attitude
Your attitude pretty much determines how the journey of your life will go. It doesn't fully determine where you'll go, but it will certainly affect how you get there. And in a life where it feels like everything is out of control, it's pretty great to realize that your incredibly influential attitude is fully in … Continue reading Attitude
Yesterday’s Gone
Yesterday is gone, along with all the ways things were done back then. Life only moves forward. So, when you only look backwards, and you try to live in the past, you end up getting real cranky. Usually you hide that crankiness under a cover of impassioned righteousness about how great it was back then, … Continue reading Yesterday’s Gone
Weather
Weather is going to do its thing, and it's not always pleasant. That's why we work to make sure that indoors we're protected and comforted from it. It's not unlike, oh, everything that's out there. Outside forces are going to do their thing. We can't control it, we don't even have to. We just need … Continue reading Weather
Vision
Vision helps you see. Vision also points the way to what you want to see. Best of all, you don't even need to rely on sight to have vision. Vision is a blessing. Remember to appreciate it.
User Friendly
"User friendly" often means, "dumbed down." Also, it usually refers to some kind of software. But, user friendly could very well refer to a type of person. It could refer to someone who is so concerned with appearing pleasant, that they're friendly without any kind of discernment. They're even friendly to those "users" who take … Continue reading User Friendly
Teamwork
Teamwork works best when the whole team works. If there are some who are not pulling their weight, they're not really part of the team, they're beneficiaries. A team depends on it's members' contributions, the work in teamwork. These same members can enjoy all of the advantages that come with being a part of a … Continue reading Teamwork
Some Days
Some days are better than others. Some days are worse than the rest. But all days are better than no days, when it comes to what you get. You only get a finite amount of them. No one knows how many exactly, or why some people get less than others. However, one day your number … Continue reading Some Days
Rest
Rest is just as important to your success as work. Rest is vital. But rest is not about distracting yourself with trivial time-wasting activities, it's about taking a break from all activity. Your brain and body get put through a lot. You should repay them by letting them rest and recharge every once in a … Continue reading Rest
Prepare
If you want things to go well, then help yourself out and be sure to prepare for the outcome you want. You have to be ready for it. Prepare the setting, and most importantly, prepare your mindset. Practice the feeling of it coming true in your mind, and you'll be ready for it to happen. … Continue reading Prepare
Original
Being original is so appealing because a copy is just a slightly off, somewhat faded replica. Why would you want to be a copy? The good news is that you can't help but be original because even if you try to be just like someone else, you're doing it from your own perspective. Might as … Continue reading Original
Next Time
It's a risky gamble, putting off doing what you need to do or say until "next time." Nobody is guaranteed any amount of time. Every moment we get is a gift. So, if you need to say something, say it now. If you need to do something, do it now. Because there may not be … Continue reading Next Time
Motivation
Motivation is a nice idea, but it doesn't stick around. You're better off building small, sustainable habits that you can get used to doing no matter the circumstances. Because, motivation will leave you the second things get difficult. And in the real world, things get difficult almost immediately.
Learning
Learning is so much more than gaining knowledge. Learning is realizing how to use it. And, the chance to keep learning never ends, if you're lucky. If you're not learning, you're rotting. The choice, as always, is yours. So, which one are your doing?
Kindness
Society is working really hard to stir up rage in each of us. Having us all enraged keeps us separated, confused and weak. Don't fall for it. Stop being so quick to anger. The world needs less rage and much more kindness. You may feel that your rage is justified. You may simply feel relief … Continue reading Kindness
January
January is the chance for a fresh start. It's the first month of the new year, and it's electric with new motivation to make changes, commence exciting goals, with a chance to leave the troubles of the previous year behind. The holidays are over, decorations come down, and the winter weather plus short days can … Continue reading January
Intelligence
Intelligence is not the same as knowledge. It's actually how well you use knowledge that determines your intelligence. Intelligence is not the same as education. There are incredibly intelligent people who never benefited from a proper education, and there some terrifically moronic dunces who have acquired all the formal education that money can buy. It … Continue reading Intelligence
History
History shows how it was done. The circumstances are different presently, so it's not a perfect model for how to do things now. However, those that ignore history are doomed to repeat it. So, even if the circumstances are updated, the lesson learned still has merit. The point here is, honor history, just don't get … Continue reading History
Generosity
Generosity isn't so much about what you give, it's about why you give. It could be your time, or energy, it could be nothing material whatsoever, and if you give it with the intent of helping another, that's generosity. It could be just one dollar, but if that's all you have to give and you … Continue reading Generosity
Flex
Show the world who you are. Flex your strongest muscle, that beautiful brain of yours. Flex and share your brilliant ideas. Because only you can think in the incredibly unique way that you do. And the world needs that. From everyone. Why else would you be here?
Easy
You might think you want it to be easy, but you should remember that easy means low stakes. Low stakes means low worth. So, when you're going for easy, you're also going for low worth. Is that really what you want?
Dreams
They say that dreams are free. It's true, it costs nothing to dream. But there is a cost to not pursuing them. It gets more expensive the longer you wait. Invest in your dreams now, while you can. Because before long, they'll be way out of your budget, and you'll end up having to settle … Continue reading Dreams
Careful
You could pretend to not care, to act as careless as you believe the rest of the world is. You could try that tactic to protect yourself. But all you're doing is straining to act against your very nature, and creating a prison world around you in the process. Why not embrace your humanness, and … Continue reading Careful
Bright Side
Look for the bright side. There will be times when there just isn't one. That's a sad reality. But keeping an eye out for it is much more enjoyable than staying down in the dumps. And looking for the bright side certainly helps your chances at finding it much more than leaving it up to … Continue reading Bright Side
All at Once
Your dreams can come together and become a reality all at once. It's pretty simple, actually. You just need to focus on making it a reality. When they do come true, it happens all at once because there is only ever this very moment. All the rest of it is just an idea. So when … Continue reading All at Once
Your Best
Don't hold back. You don't get an unlimited supply of days or opportunities. Why not give it your best, every time? Be excellent. This isn't a practice run, where you only need to mark it. This is your life happening right now. It's the real deal. Give it your best.
Worth
Only some things have a fair price, but everything has a cost. Often, being stingy and cheap costs you much more in the end. There comes a time when you have decide what you're worth. Once you do, never accept anything less than that. If you do, it will surely cost you.
Value
The value of something is the measure of worth it has been given. And, that worth is mostly subjective. It's interesting to note that once the thing is gone or lost, its perceived value skyrockets. We never really seem to get how important it is to appreciate the things we have right now. Because we … Continue reading Value
Updated
You function at your best when you have been updated with the most pertinent information. Life keeps rolling along, things change, adapt, and hopefully improve. Keep rolling along with it, and stay updated. Don't get stuck in the past. You don't live there anymore. You live now, so stay updated.
Teachers
Teachers are only human, just like you and me. What makes teachers extra special, however, is that they actually care to share with others how to be a better human. Giving is their nature, generosity is their spirit. They don't get nearly as much credit as they deserve. Teachers are society's heroes. Yet they can … Continue reading Teachers
Safety
Safety is a state of mind. Someone could be enclosed behind steel doors and still not feel safe, while another could be sleeping out in an open field and feel perfectly secure. If a feeling of safety is what you're after, then you need start with just that, the feeling of it. Safety comes from … Continue reading Safety
Respect
Respect should be freely given, but in reality it needs to be earned. The best way to do that is to show respect yourself. Be respectful and you'll earn respect in turn. It's not a guarantee, but it does help your chances greatly.
Peace
The thing about peace is that you can't get it by fighting. You can get silence and capitulation by fighting, but that's run by fear not peace. And fear that hangs around long enough turns in anger, which turns into rage. Those are not recipes for peace. Peace requires a peaceful heart. Peace comes from … Continue reading Peace
Organized
Organizers are popular on TV and social media because what they offer seems to be more than just an organized space. They offer a way to peace of mind. Our personal environments can represent our mental state. A cluttered home or office oftentimes represents a cluttered and stressed mind. Getting our spaces organized feels peaceful … Continue reading Organized
New Beginnings
New Beginnings generally follow endings of some kind. So, the next time you find yourself coming to the end of something, don't despair. Realize that you're on your way to a new beginning just beyond this ending. Keep looking ahead, that's where the good stuff is happening.
Musical
Don't die with the music still inside you. Don't hide your gifts or even delay what you are meant to do. Make your life musical, let the music of your life be heard, whether that's literal or not. The time to begin is now, the place to start from is right here. Begin.
Love
We are meant to love while we are here. It isn't as complicated as people think. It isn't meant to be as complex or big or difficult as people think. It's the most natural thing to be. Be love. Give love. Receive love. Love. Start the new year out with more love in your life.
Kindness
It bears repeating: in the choice between being "right" or being "kind," choose kindness. There are just too many variables at play to guarantee you're going to be 100% right anyway, and sticking to your guns on this issue over being right will only make you look like a supreme jerk, so you lose anyway. … Continue reading Kindness
Jubilant
There are no rules that say you can't simply be jubilant for getting to live your life. So why not try it? Why is being jubilant just for the sake of it more weird than actively being bothered, disappointed and angry... just for the sake of it? You're choosing either way. Jubilant just sounds like … Continue reading Jubilant
Immediately
The decision to change for the better can happen immediately. Sticking to that decision and fulfilling the choice will take a lot longer. The thing about immediately made decisions is that they can just as immediately change. For a decision of improvement to stick, it has to be repeatedly acted on until a new habit … Continue reading Immediately
Help Others
Want to improve your life and feel great? Help others. Help yourself by helping others. It gets you out of your head, takes your mind off of your problems, and lets you accomplish some real good in the world. When you help others, you don't just help them, you help yourself and the world as … Continue reading Help Others
Gifts
Gifts are a fun part of holiday celebrations. It's exciting to get them, and just as exciting to give them. The shopping and planning the surprise are all part of the fun. And we usually gift the ones who gift us back, so it feels reciprocal. Beyond this we are gifted with so much more … Continue reading Gifts
Festive
You don't need to have a bunch of decorations and party food to be festive. All you need is a willingness to enjoy the moment and the people around you. That's what it's all about. Choose to be festive with what you've got right now, with your loved ones while they're here.
Enjoy the Season
The holiday season is busy, full of activities, visits, and traditions to keep. It can make you feel stressed, anxious and ready for it to be over already. The thing is that it will be over before you know it. It's just a short few weeks, one season at the end of the year. And … Continue reading Enjoy the Season
Decide
The first step to creating anything you want in your life, is to decide you want to. Then decide on the course of action you need to take. And then decide to take the first step in that direction. The point is that you get to make these choices all for yourself. You just have … Continue reading Decide
Christmas Magic
There is an undeniable magic in the air at Christmas time. People focus on their loved ones, gathering around and bestowing gifts of love to each other. And it seems to lift the moods of most as they spread cheer thinking about actively being jolly. They decorate with festive ornaments and lights and indulge in … Continue reading Christmas Magic
Be Well
Be well. It's the only thing your loved ones truly want for you. They want you to be well. And, that's also what you want for them. Sure, success and things, even experiences are nice to think about for them, but at the base of it all, if we know our loved ones are well, … Continue reading Be Well
All Over Again
Things may start to seem repetitive. You find yourself getting up, doing the same things to get ready, starting your day, living your day, and ending your day, only to get up the next day and do it all over again. But don't fall for the trap of thinking you get to just do it … Continue reading All Over Again
Years
It's a funny phenomenon you discover the longer you live. Years don't last as long as they used to, the more they add up in your life. A year that once seemed to be significant length of time in one's life, begins to zip along as one ages. Pay attention to these days rushing by, … Continue reading Years
Worth
Worth is subjective. It can raise or lower depending on a lot of outside factors. Something may be worth a fortune in certain circumstances, and viewed as completely worthless in others. So, if you find that your own worth isn't valued, perhaps you should change the circumstances. Because that viewpoint has nothing to do with … Continue reading Worth
Visitors
A Christmas Carol is a classic tale about a man named Ebenezer Scrooge, and his life choices. It's set on Christmas Eve, when he is visited by the ghost of his deceased business partner who was just a selfish as he is and is now paying for it in the afterlife. Later he's visited by … Continue reading Visitors
Unity
Unity is the state of being united together to form a whole, and there's great strength in that. So, why does it seem like we are being actively divided against each other? Why are our differences pitted against each other? Why is the strength of unity so feared?
Teachable
Learning is growing. Growth is the key to life. If you aren't growing, you're dying, so it helps to keep learning. To do this, you need to choose to be teachable. Anything can be your teacher, especially struggle. So, have a growth mindset, be teachable, and you can see how much the world wants to … Continue reading Teachable
Say it Now
If you have anything you want to say to a loved one, say it now. If you have anything you want to say to anyone, say it sooner rather than later. We never know how much time we have left. It could be over in a flash. Don't leave with those things on your heart … Continue reading Say it Now
Rewards
The best motivating factors are the rewards you've decided on for yourself. Flashy prizes are fun and all, but unless they have a personal meaning for you, they're just all flash. A reward might not even mean anything to anyone else but you. It could be the thought that you made healthy choices for yourself … Continue reading Rewards
Previous Experience
Previous experience may help you gain a bit of wisdom, but don't make the mistake in thinking it's a reliable roadmap for what lies ahead. Life is creative, adaptive and surprising. And it's all about what's in front of you, not behind. So, previous experience is great for character development, but it is not something … Continue reading Previous Experience
One Step Forward
Sometimes all you can do is manage taking one step forward. That's all you need to focus on. In fact, all you can ever do is take one step at a time, even if it's a huge leap, it's still only the one. So, when the road ahead seems impossible, pull your focus back to … Continue reading One Step Forward
Nuance
For the most part, life is not black and white, either/or. There is nuance in any given situation. This means it can go any which way at any time. The sooner you get comfortable with that idea, the sooner you can enjoy the ride. Learn to accept the fact that with just the slightest degree … Continue reading Nuance
Make it Up
We are all co-creators of our own lives. Our intentions guide our thoughts. Our repeated thoughts form our beliefs. And those beliefs are what create how our lives look to ourselves. We're basically just making it all up. So, might as well get deliberate, and make it up how you really want it to go.
Learning
Learning can be painful. It can be hard to have to stumble and grow as you learn. But learning is vital to survival. If you aren't growing you're dying. So then, you really just have to make one fundamental decision. Would you rather deal with the struggle of learning, or the pain of decay?
Keep the Vision
Energy goes where attention flows. We create our lives by our thoughts and what we choose to focus on. What we choose to focus on is what we see, and what we see it what makes up our lives. So, create a vision of how you would like your life to look, and then keep … Continue reading Keep the Vision
Joy to the World
A true miracle would be for joy to reach the whole world. Most people would agree. What's interesting about that is, even though almost everyone wants joy, very few feel it. There has to be a reason for this. Could it be because joyful people are less gullible, and therefore harder to manipulate than unhappy … Continue reading Joy to the World
Impossible
Impossible is one of those words that becomes a self-fulfilled prophecy the moment it is spoken. A thing is only impossible if you believe it is. After all, anything is possible. Most things might not be probable, but they're only impossible if you decide that they are.
Health
Your health is the greatest treasure you've been given. When it's compromised, nothing else matters. People can have unimaginable wealth and it won't matter to them if they are ill. They'll spend every last cent to heal, or at least feel better. Guard your health for the treasure that it is. And under no circumstances … Continue reading Health
Giving Season
'Tis the Season for being merry and bright. It's the season for celebrating and giving. And in this modern, materialistic world, that giving can feel more stressful than jolly. So it's important to remember the whole reason for giving in the first place. It isn't just supposed to boost merchant sales. This is a time … Continue reading Giving Season
Fairness
Hinging your happiness on whether or not you'll be treated with fairness is a good way to prevent yourself from ever getting it. It's impossible to achieve ultimate fairness for everyone at all times. Because for as many people as there are in the world, there are at least that many ideas on what "fair" … Continue reading Fairness
Exits
Exits have to be clearly marked in public buildings so people know where they can get out quick, in case of an emergency. They're not as clearly marked for social situations, like toxic relationships. This is because any relationship that you're in also includes yourself, and anywhere you go there you are, so leaving is … Continue reading Exits
Devotion
Part of being human is having strong preferences. You're going to be devoted to something. Knowing this, you'd be wise to choose pursuits that are good for your health and safe for the world around you. Choose devotion towards being a wonderful human, and watch your focus create just that.
Choose
Each and every moment of your life, you're presented with a choice on how to act. You may not think you have a choice when you're constantly reacting, but that is still a choice. You get to choose whether to act rude or kind. You get to choose whether to be loving or cold. You … Continue reading Choose
Blocks
The thing that makes our hidden mental blocks so hard to deal with, is they're hidden. The way to realize you have them, is when something seems impossible for you yet it's possible for others. If it's possible, it's possible for anyone. If you can't seem to overcome it you might have mental programs, or … Continue reading Blocks
Allowance
Allow for mistakes and human fallacy. Nobody's perfect. But when the same mistakes are repeatedly made, they're not mistakes, they're thoughtless choices of disrespect. Allowance of that is a mistake in itself. That's why they say, "fool me twice, shame on me." Allowance is nice and all for the first fool, but don't let them … Continue reading Allowance
Year-end
We're approaching the time when businesses start preparing their fiscal year-end. It's a way for them to assess how they did in the previous year, and plan for an even stronger one ahead. This sounds like good advice for your own life. Perhaps you could review how you did over the last year, and then … Continue reading Year-end
Whispers
The loudest voices are often connected to most afraid people. All of that noise is just fear talking. Anger is only an outward expression of fear after all. So, loud shouts may grab your attention, but they don't have a lot of substance. It's the whispers that hold the wisdom. Because whispers require concentration, both … Continue reading Whispers
Visits
Family visits can seem like a hassle. There's the preparation and the consideration for all of the different personalities. It seems like those visits can be such a burden, until you realize how few of them you actually get in a lifetime. If you knew that the next family visit would be the last one … Continue reading Visits
Understanding
We all need understanding from others. The irony is that most of all we need to understand that everyone will have their own perspective in understanding. Understand?
Tension
Stress isn't fun. Stress can be a killer. But, a stress-free existence is pure fantasy. And, it wouldn't be much fun either. A little bit of tension is just enough to help with creativity. Remember, diamonds are created under tension. So, don't stress out, but also don't hide from the pressure of everyday life. Keep … Continue reading Tension
Security
It's an insidious fact that the more measures you take for security, the more you can virtually imprison yourself. Gates work both ways, to keep things out and to trap things inside. It's true that the world has a lot of moving pieces, and with that there's bound to be a hefty percentage of them … Continue reading Security
Reprogram
If things aren't going well in your life, remember that it runs on a program. The program is made up of your beliefs about how the world works and your part in it. So, if that program is making your experience miserable, then you need to reprogram your beliefs. You do that by noticing your … Continue reading Reprogram
Possible
Keep that glimmer of hope alive. Even when it seems the darkest, when it seems like a win is highly improbable, it's important to stay hopeful. Because it might not be probable, but that doesn't mean it isn't possible. Anything is possible. And, miracles happen all the time. Your existence is proof of that. Keep … Continue reading Possible
Open Up
They say that a mind is like a parachute, it only works if it's open. This can apply to your heart as well. And, a closed fist can only cause pain, it can't grasp and receive anything good until it opens up. Open up, that's how you let the blessings in.
Noise
Noise can seem like a burden if you were hoping for quiet. But, not everyone is lucky enough to even hear it. There are some people who can only dream about what it's like to be able to hear noise. Anytime we get annoyed with something, rather than let it set us off, we should … Continue reading Noise
Move forward
Life only goes in one direction. You might as well not fight it. Move forward with it, even if you only move in tiny baby steps. The forward momentum is so much better for you than staying frozen in place, or struggling to backtrack. Move forward with life, and let it do its thing, which … Continue reading Move forward
Lessons
When you can look at everything you go through in life as lessons, you have a chance to feel empowered rather than put upon. Your struggles and triumphs are lessons that can help strengthen your resolve and give you greater wisdom. All of this strength and wisdom can only make you better, and more skilled … Continue reading Lessons
Keep Going
How do you know when it's time to quit? When it feels complete to you. Either when you've achieved what you were seeking to achieve, or when you feel resolved in your heart that you are done. But, if you quit because it's hard, and yet there's a nagging sense in your heart that you're … Continue reading Keep Going
Jovial
Jovial is such a fun sounding word, as it is related to the word joy. It means to be cheerful and friendly, and that's why it sounds so attractive. We are craving a more cheerful and friendly world, and yet it's rare to find a legitimately jovial person. What if you chose to be more … Continue reading Jovial
Inside Job
The only way to make any improvement in your life, is to change your beliefs around it. It is always an inside job. Your beliefs determine how life is going to look for you. And, beliefs are just thoughts that you think over and over until they're the predominant thoughts you think. So, to change … Continue reading Inside Job
Happiness
The most exciting revelation of life is also the most rewarding. It has to do with happiness. Happiness can come from simply choosing to be happy. There is no need to wait for any circumstance in order to be happy. In fact, all the good outcomes have an easier path to you after you choose … Continue reading Happiness
Goodness
Goodness is simply being conscious. There is a lot of confusion out there. That's because a lot of people are unconscious. This can be labeled as evil. But, it's really just being confused, careless and unthinking. In other words, unconscious. Wake up, and see the goodness. Wake up, and be the goodness. The sleeping world … Continue reading Goodness
Fair
Everybody is looking to be treated fairly. But, it's important to be aware that everyone has their own idea of what exactly is fair. Never assume that whoever you're dealing with will have the same idea of what's fair as you do.
Ease
A lot of the time, we have to do hard things. Work, family, relationships, they all require attention, energy and effort. The thing is, that none of these will hold our focus for long if they are always difficult. We need to find ease with the things in our lives as much as possible. Actually, … Continue reading Ease
Details
Details matter. The smallest change can create the biggest effect. It's not wise to get caught up in chasing all of the many details, that's simply losing sight of the forest for the trees, so to speak. But, it is wise to remember that the details add up to the whole, the trees add up … Continue reading Details
Choose
Life is a series of choices. If you don't make the choices yourself, they will be chosen for you. There's no getting out of it, that's how life keeps moving forward. So, since a choice needs to be made, your best bet is to take ownership of the situation and choose.
Behave
Do you ever notice how when someone expects you to behave properly, it's only to accommodate their comfort? It seems selfish. Perhaps you should remember that whenever you expect someone else to behave.
Answers
There are as many answers as there are people who ask questions. Because people hear what they expect to hear. People hear what they're ready to hear. The answers match the perspective. If you want a different answer, change your perspective.
Your Time
If you feel like there's never enough time to get it all done, remember the most important part of this equation: you! It is your time. It may not feel like it, because you have obligations, but remember that you chose each and every one of those obligations. You chose to divide your time up … Continue reading Your Time
Wellness
Take care of your health. You can't enjoy anything else without it. Wellness is the biggest treasure you can attain in this life. Treat it as the treasure it is, and it will help you live a treasured life.
Vision
It's one thing to see what's in front of you, it's another thing to have a vision of it. Having vision means you see a story, the potential and the experience that makes something what it is in relation to you. It's a gift to be able to see. And, it's a superpower to have … Continue reading Vision
Umbrellas
Umbrellas are wonderful shields that can protect you from the harsh elements. The thing is, they can also shield you from any good getting through. It's important to investigate your shields and make sure they aren't keeping away what could be best for you. Sometimes it's better to come out from under the umbrella.
Like a Fox! 