Life is short. That's what they say, anyway. I know that when I'm at my lowest, life feels like its too long. Like if I catch myself sitting around waiting for a horrible pandemic to end, the days can seem to drag on forever. On the other hand, when it's time to turn in for … Continue reading Life is short
Author: Fox Michaels
Fox Michaels is an intuitive leader with 15+ years of experience as a trainer, either informally or by title. 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.
A loving world
More than anyone I've come across, Wayne Dyer had a knack for speaking truth that I felt directly from the heart. One notable truth-zinger of his, was the quote below that perfectly sums up my thoughts about the way of the world. These thoughts form a perspective I've had ever since I was a kid, … Continue reading A loving world
Happy all along the way
Beware of Destination Happiness. You know, that thing where you think like, I'll be happy when... (I graduate / I get a new job / I win the lottery / I get a new house / I get married / I get divorced / I get remarried... etc.) I've fallen for that trap so many … Continue reading Happy all along the way
What goes on inside
I've struggled with wanting to control everything around me, thinking that way I could guarantee my happiness. But that has only just brought on more anxiety. It's impossible to anticipate and control every little thing in the world around you. Especially when dealing with a world changing global pandemic. Wayne Dyer said "You cannot always … Continue reading What goes on inside
Great advice
On my old computer's desktop wallpaper, I had this cute picture I found of a cartoon figure looking up at a full moon, with a caption that read: Two things to remember in life: Take care of your thoughts when you're alone, and Take care of your words when you're with people. Much like that … Continue reading Great advice
Light is Life
Light is Life. Just look at our plants and pets. They naturally go towards the sunlight. I love the sight of somebody's doggie or cat catching a power nap in the sun. It looks so delicious and they seem pretty darn smart to know how to enjoy it so much. Last year I was shocked … Continue reading Light is Life
Forget time
When I'm fully engaged in the present, and when I'm really invested in what I'm doing in the here and NOW, I have no time to wallow about the past or worry about the future. In fact, at that point I have no sense of time at all. It's when I've taken my attention away … Continue reading Forget time
The squeeze
Wayne Dyer had a great teaching, saying "When you squeeze an orange, orange juice comes out - because that's what's inside. When you are squeezed, what comes out is what is inside." Life is different right now, to put it lightly. And with all of these fast and unnerving changes, we are being squeezed. What … Continue reading The squeeze
Divine Creation
The thing about acting in theatre is that the director can create a vision for the play, but it's up to the actors to manage it and bring the vision to life. And once it's opening night, and those stage lights are up, it's entirely the actor's responsibility. Shakespeare wrote, "All the world's a stage, … Continue reading Divine Creation
The Best Defense
The answer is love. You could get angry for all kinds of reasons. You can get fed up. You can prove how wrong the other side is. Or you can focus on love. Simply focus on what you can love. One way is about contraction, resistance, and darkness, which is a health-killer. The other is … Continue reading The Best Defense
Humanity
Young or old, rich or poor, famous or not... this COVID-19 pandemic affects us all. No matter what our unique story is, it's touched each one of us. Every part of the globe has been impacted. And there's a lot of fear, frustration and uncertainty running throughout all of humanity at the moment. Still, I'm … Continue reading Humanity
Their turf
A bright spot during this uneasy time of social distancing / self quarantines, and one of my favorite things to see, are the pets that seem overjoyed to have their fitness people around all day filming at-home workouts. These cute doggies and cats can't help but participate as their person is all over their turf, … Continue reading Their turf
New Choice
Best Selling Author and Motivational Speaker, Gabrielle Bernstein, shares a great 3-step method on how to deal with anxiety or with any negative thought. She advises to: Notice the fearful thoughtForgive the thoughtProactively choose a better-feeling thought This reminds me of an Improv game I used to play, called "new choice". It's a way to … Continue reading New Choice
Mindfulness
I am so grateful for the wave of mindful practices people are employing in reaction to this pandemic. Washing our hands regularly. Being mindful of what we touch and where we go. Covering our mouths when we sneeze and cough. Paying attention to how we feel. Being aware of how fragile our elder community is. Heck, … Continue reading Mindfulness
The Gift
As we find ourselves in a world dealing with a global pandemic, and uncertainty all around for what the repercussions will be, I find myself easily slipping into a familiar pattern of wishing it was two months from now. Wishing this time was over. It's an old habit of mine to wish I could fast … Continue reading The Gift
Focus
Whenever I've gone into mental free fall, and I can sense the next stop will be full-on panic, I've learned to anchor into focusing on my breath. And, once I've stopped the cognitive plummet with a slow inhale, pause, and slow exhale, I've learned to then effectively climb back up out of the pit by … Continue reading Focus
Look For the Helpers
My hero, Fred Rogers, would share this wisdom his mother gave to him as a boy whenever he saw scary things in the news. She would say, "Look for the helpers, you will always find people who are helping." He summed it up as, "If you look for the helpers, you'll know that there is … Continue reading Look For the Helpers
Like sands through the hourglass…
As I start to turn in each night, I find myself thinking that it seems like I was just getting ready for bed last night... or last week... or last summer. The days rush by, and we each only get so precious few of them in one lifetime. Make sure you acknowledge the gift that … Continue reading Like sands through the hourglass…
Great Power
Uncle Ben wasn't kidding around when he told Peter Parker that with great power comes great responsibility. As you come to live a more mindful life, you realize that in any given moment you have the power to choose if you want to be happy, or if you insist on being right. In any given … Continue reading Great Power
It takes one to know one.
When we judge another, it's because we think we know exactly what they're up to. We think we know of this sin that they're committing because we have an awareness of it inside of us as well. What if this awareness is not so much of an alert to start judging, but rather a signal … Continue reading It takes one to know one.
Keeping it Real
Being rude is not "keeping it real" it's being rude. You may get an adrenaline and dopamine rush from mouthing off and cutting down someone, but do a gut check after that dopamine high drops. Do you still feel so great from roasting someone? Or do you just feel burned? Being kind is a much … Continue reading Keeping it Real
We are verbs
Deepak Chopra said, "you are not a noun, you are a verb." It was this flash of eloquent brilliance he dropped in a video of a much bigger discussion he was in with the Indian yogi Sadhguru, while on the topic of Ancient Wisdom in Modern Times. I just had to hit pause and jot … Continue reading We are verbs
The choice is easy.
In the Bible there's a famous story of King Solomon's judgement. Solomon had been gifted wisdom from God, which he demonstrated when two women came to him, each claiming that they were the true mother of this baby. He suggested taking a sword and cutting the baby in two, so each woman could take home … Continue reading The choice is easy.
Who are they?
There is no "they" to blame. We all make up the whole of whatever we're trying to brand as "they." "They didn't let the right candidates through." "They are causing mass hysteria with this new virus." "They need to stop this racism, this sexism, this ageism, etc." Who are these "others" that we're calling a … Continue reading Who are they?
Control
I want to control how things turn out. I want to control how people act around me. I want to control how people re-act to me. But the only things I truly can control are which thoughts I choose to believe, which words I allow myself to say, and how good or bad I want … Continue reading Control
Serenity
Are you familiar with the Serenity Prayer? "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference." The prayer is simple, beautiful, and brings me such peace to recite it. I believe it's used in most all 12-step programs. I am not … Continue reading Serenity
Space to Become Aware
I'm fortunate enough to be able to vote by mail. But this week I decided to go drop off my mail-in ballot at the local voting booth, so it could get counted sooner than if I dropped it in the mailbox. That was the plan, anyway. For some reason I hemmed and hawed all day, … Continue reading Space to Become Aware
Be Happy
I've had this belief that I must suffer in order to earn happiness. It's that idea of "no pain, no gain." But, I'm learning that you cannot earn happiness. You have to just be happy. And you can't be happy while you're suffering.
Venting
I used to work with a woman who loved to vent. And she had something to gripe about daily, even hourly. Oh, but she was generous about it. She would encourage others to vent too. In fact, that was her way of bonding. But the venting never solved anything. In fact, all it ever did … Continue reading Venting
Inside
I read this fascinating perspective on the internet pointing out that our skeleton is not, in fact, inside of us. It explains how we are a brain, and that is inside of a skeleton. Not the other way around. Further, this skeleton machinery that we're piloting is covered in a meat armor. Trippy, right? And … Continue reading Inside
Lighten up
Forgive, and forgive often. Not because they deserve it, but because you do. Holding grudges is just like holding onto heavy baggage. You're the one who gets bogged down by it, not them. Let that go, and lighten up. Forgive, and feel free again.
Gratitude list
We're all advised to have a daily practice to think of at least three things we're grateful for. It creates an attitude of gratitude. And an attitude of gratitude puts you into the vibration of abundance. That's when you attract all of the good things. Try it. Every day, list at least three things that … Continue reading Gratitude list
Who’s inside your mental house?
When I was a kid at a sleepover, we watched this scary old movie on a fresh Blockbuster VHS rental, called When a Stranger Calls. And in the climax of this movie --*SPOILER ALERT* (sorry, but the movie was ancient even in the 90's when I saw it) -- but the terrifying reveal was that … Continue reading Who’s inside your mental house?
Romancing the past
The past is an imaginary place that doesn't exist. You can't live there. Even if they could invent one of those Sci-Fi time machines and you were to go back, you'd find that the "real" past isn't anywhere near the same as the one you've romanticized in your memories. Life does keep marching forward, however. … Continue reading Romancing the past
Be like water
Water flows with what is there. It does not add resistance, but rather flows to its destination in the most efficient way possible. Be like water. Water doesn't quit or disappear, it adapts to its environment. If things get hot it turns to steam, if things get cold, ice. Don't give up, adapt. Be like … Continue reading Be like water
A heart filled with love
Flight attendants advise in case of an emergency, to place the oxygen mask on yourself first before helping others with theirs, even your own child's. This is because you will be of no help to anyone if you suffocate. Well, duh, right? You can't love if you don't love yourself first. If you don't give … Continue reading A heart filled with love
Be the change
Every action we take is imbued with the type of energy that we do it with. And what you practice you become. So if you want to fight a war against poverty, you end up becoming a fighter. A warmonger. Do you hate injustice? Then you're training yourself to be someone who hates. Gandhi said … Continue reading Be the change
We can be heroes
Everyone is the hero of their own story. Odds are then, that this also means you're going to be the villain in other people's stories. I mean, how many times can people tell a story about "that assface" who cut them off on the freeway, before you end up being this assface that they're talking … Continue reading We can be heroes
The Treasures of Life
The things we want more and more of are only appealing as long as they are still an option. You may wish you could stay in bed forever, but ask a bedridden invalid how they feel about never getting up. You may want unlimited ice cream sundaes, but if that suddenly became the only food … Continue reading The Treasures of Life
Unbreakable
Once upon a time, I learned a great coping mechanism from that ginger-haired fictional heroine, Kimmy Schmidt. She said that “a person can stand just about anything for 10 seconds.” So, if you’re in some seemingly unbearable situation, just take it 10 seconds at a time. And once you make it through that 10 seconds, … Continue reading Unbreakable
As if.
I used to think it was real clever to fake it till you make it. But that word "fake" is jarring, and frankly it's a bad influence on the rest of the phrase. No matter how well meaning you may be, telling yourself to fake something will leave you feeling like a fake. Nowadays I … Continue reading As if.
Reframing
I have to do my taxes today. This feels scary, overwhelming, and annoying at the very least. I get to do my taxes today. This reminds me that I was fortunate enough to have income last year. This simple sentence implies that I have access to resources. It also implies that a lot of other … Continue reading Reframing
Get that energy moving.
The antidote to fear is action. Get up and do something. I just swiffered my floors, and as the dust bunnies lifted onto that glorified dryer sheet, my spirits also lifted from their funk. I know that it can seem like the safe choice to sit around and think your way through your troubles, but … Continue reading Get that energy moving.
Dark Jenga
Last year I started this blog again to answer an incessant prompt from my heart, wanting to share joy and be a light for the world that can seem so dark. Following Mahatma Ghandi's beautiful advice to "be the change you wish to see in the world", I sought out to be a light that … Continue reading Dark Jenga
Hurry up, and breathe.
Why is everyone rushing nowadays? Where and what are they racing to? It seems like the only time that any of us slow down anymore, is if they get struck down by an illness, or some other catastrophe. That's what happened to me this year. My race against the clock ended with me crashing and … Continue reading Hurry up, and breathe.
Love is the Way
Love is the thing I understood from them, despite their cultural customs that seemed so foreign to me. Love truly is universal.
Gratitude
There is a power in calling forth the feeling of gratitude, that can lift you from the lowest depths of despair. I know this first hand. Right now, I'm living through an exciting time of my life. It's also a terrifying time. The fact is, I am dead center at a major crossroads in this … Continue reading Gratitude
Unconditional Love
Unconditional Love is one of those phrases that sounds so nice to say, and yet usually at that very moment we are expressing it, we don't really mean it. Instead, that's usually when we are placing conditions. Here's an example: "You have to know that I love you unconditionally. You just have to." In other … Continue reading Unconditional Love
Focus on what you want
Make the most of winter. Louise Hay says: The more we dwell on what we don't want, the more we get it. This is how the Law of Attraction works most consistently for us. You see, in its essence, the Law of Attraction means like attracts like. The thing is, we are all programmed to … Continue reading Focus on what you want
Clean up that lens
"The world is so bright I gotta wear shades!" What lens are you choosing to see the world through? We all have our own unique worldview perspective, brought on by our default programming. This programming creates a filter through which we see the outside world. And based on this filter, our magnificent brains will constantly … Continue reading Clean up that lens
Heed that ping in your heart
Here's a very simple moral philosophy that you can follow: If what you're about to say or do feels bad, then there is no way that it can you bring you anything good. I told you it was simple. It's so basic, that it can almost be overlooked. But I believe it is the best … Continue reading Heed that ping in your heart
Loneliness
Do you suffer from loneliness? Or, do you enjoy solitude? People are only lonely if they don't like the person that they're alone with. So they need distractions. If those distractions are taken away, they feel the absence with a great sadness. They are lonely. But if you like the person that you're alone with, … Continue reading Loneliness
Go for it!
Go for it for 2019! Do you have a dream that you want to fulfill someday? Is there something that you want for your life, and you would honestly go get, if only your circumstances were better? Do you have an awesome idea for a business kicking around in your head that you're hoping to … Continue reading Go for it!
Wisdom lies outside the Mind
Tis' the Season to share love People have always asked me, how did I get so smart. Truly, I give credit to my Inner Being / Source / God / Universal Wisdom. I just learned to step out of the way (from trial and error), and let the intelligence flow through me. This has given … Continue reading Wisdom lies outside the Mind
To Try
Cheers to you, and whatever you want to be and do! Don't try. Whatever it is that you think you are trying... well, you may think you have the best of intentions, but just in the very endeavor of trying, you are not doing. In the thought process behind trying, you somehow negate the idea … Continue reading To Try
Inside Out
I used to bottle up my frustrations. It festered into a boiling internal rage. Then little things would irritate me, and I would Blow Up. Charles R. Swindoll says: Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it. And what's inside of you will determine how you react. So when I … Continue reading Inside Out
No Worries
I'm not worried - but Mickey looks a little stressed over turning 90! Are you a worrier? Does it help? I was wracked by worry. And all it helped me to do, was find more things to worry about. It would keep me up at night, worrying about the same thoughts over and over. And … Continue reading No Worries
Thank You
Every single morning when I wake up, the first thought that I have is THANK YOU. Thank you for another day. Thank you for my cozy bed. Thank you for my wonderful home. My body feels refreshed, strong, healthy and vital - all of the parts are working really well - Thank You! I didn't … Continue reading Thank You
Appreciation by Default
Look for the Good. Look for what you like. Look for what you what you Appreciate. There is always something to celebrate! Look for the good everywhere. These statements could have been pulled from the script of any self-help guru. (Of which I have studied many!) I love reading those statements. Even when they pop … Continue reading Appreciation by Default
Control Freak
Confession Time: I am a recovering Control Freak. I grew up thinking that the way to become successful (which I equated with happiness) was to control every aspect of my life. And I tried to excel in the controlling of how others acted around me. Let's just say that early on I got smacked upside … Continue reading Control Freak
Defending yourself is a waste of energy
I'm sure you've heard the sage advice to not worry about what others think of you. Someone has even effectively put it all nice and blunt, perfectly phrasing it to fit inside a fortune cookie with these words: What others think of you is none of your business! It's great advice. And you know what? It … Continue reading Defending yourself is a waste of energy
The Boo-Boo Story
Think about it: a belief is just a thought you keep thinking We've all felt attacked before. Maybe you were attacked for expressing your point of view. It hurts, right? No one wants to be attacked. Aren't we all entitled to our perspective? Doesn't it make you angry when someone attacks you just for living your … Continue reading The Boo-Boo Story
