Oprah shared these words of wisdom about living your dream life: You don’t become what you want, you become what you believe. Our beliefs run our whole lives. They affect how we look at things. They actually limit our focus on the things we do see. And our beliefs definitely determine what we become in … Continue reading Beliefs
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 Joyful Heart
I'm no doctor, but I know that there is a force running through us that is ultimately responsible for our health and healing. It's the same force that sparks life into us from the start. Doctors are most definitely needed, but the best of them know that they are there to brilliantly help create the … Continue reading A Joyful Heart
Change
Wayne Dyer would always say, When we change the way we look at things, the things we look at change. It's helpful to remember that we have this power, especially when the things we look at don't look so great. And, oftentimes the world around us looks so troubled because there's a lot of noise … Continue reading Change
Attention
I learned a technique that I'm putting into practice, which is to notice where my attention goes. I don't know about you, but I can get wrapped up in fearful thoughts and then suddenly I lose the time and place that my body is actually in. Or I'm sucked so deeply into the vortex of … Continue reading Attention
Just Start It
Just start it. Whatever it is that you feel would be good for you, or fun to do, but you're dragging your feet on actually getting to it, just start it. You're not going to be perfect at it, but start it anyway. It might not even be the thing you do for long before … Continue reading Just Start It
Forgiveness is not One-and-Done
Practicing forgiveness is so important for your mental health. Forgiveness helps free you from the burden of being weighed down by anger and resentment. But it doesn't have to be such a significant and ultimate decision. I recently heard author Glennon Doyle give this great description of forgiveness. She said, Forgiveness is not a before … Continue reading Forgiveness is not One-and-Done
Get Happy
On a recent interview, Dr. Joe Dispenza said, Get Happy, what's the worst that can happen? You'll be happy! What are we waiting for? Are we waiting for the world to settle down again before we can be happy? It may never settle down, especially if we don't actively choose happiness first. I don't believe it's … Continue reading Get Happy
Reverence
The older I get, the more I'm mindful to follow the adage to live each day as if it was your last. To be present, enjoying the moments as they come, and to not take things for granted. To drop the troubled stories of the past, and the worries of the future. But I also … Continue reading Reverence
An Empowering Choice
One of the most powerful pieces of advice I've ever received, is that it's vital to mindfully give your energy and attention to what you are for, rather than what you are against. There's a lot of bad behavior out there, and too much negativity, but it does no good to feed it your energy … Continue reading An Empowering Choice
Make a difference
There's so much chaos going on in the world right now, moving at such a fast pace, and it feels overwhelming. It feels so big. If you ever think the world's problems are so insurmountable, and that you have no power to affect any change, just remember this gem of quote from the Dalai Lama: … Continue reading Make a difference
Focus
It's been said that on the other side of fear is your freedom. So why is it so hard to get to that other side? Do we not really want our freedom? Or is fear so captivating that we can't seem to see past it? It's also been said that the opposite of fear is … Continue reading Focus
Extraordinary Living
I have a treasured book of quotes from one of my heroes, Dr. Wayne Dyer, titled: You Are What You Think (365 Meditations for Extraordinary Living). Tonight I read his quote where he asked, "Are you part of the problem or part of the solution?" I can't help but wonder why we're not asking this … Continue reading Extraordinary Living
Be cool
Most of the great teachers advise to let go of desperately wanting so much, and relax. It seems tricky, but it's true. If I'm focused on wanting something desperately, then I'm focused on the fact that I don't have it. I can't get it, because I'm busy wanting it. Wanting and having are two different … Continue reading Be cool
Perspective
Are you living from a perspective of lack, or from a perspective of abundance? Lack causes your energy to contract and close in. Abundance causes your energy to be open and expand. Living with abundance doesn't necessarily mean that you're suddenly a billionaire. Living with abundance means that you feel open, expanded and at ease. … Continue reading Perspective
Yesterday is Gone
Yesterday is gone. Whether it was good, bad, ugly or any combination of it all, it's done, gone and no more. It's only still bothering you if you're looking at it in the rear view mirror. The thing about that is, if you're focused on the rear view mirror, then you can't see what's ahead, … Continue reading Yesterday is Gone
Compassion
Little kids are supposed to learn and grow each day. It's perfectly understandable that they will stumble, wobble, and fall as they learn to walk. It's expected that they won't have all of the words yet to be able to describe what they need. Or even to be able to pronounce them properly. We think … Continue reading Compassion
Make it a good one.
This weekend I revisited the amazing and nearly perfect Back to the Future movie trilogy. At the end of the final chapter, after many wild trips through several timelines, Doc Brown concludes it all by saying, Your future is whatever you make it. So make it a good one. That's not just some movie magic … Continue reading Make it a good one.
Miracles
Wayne Dyer said, So many people are expecting a miracle instead of being a miracle. And really, I think it's all about accepting your being the miracle that you are. Because you are a miracle. The fact that you can read my words and process the meaning that I'm giving to them, while your heart … Continue reading Miracles
See it
Bob Proctor says If you see it in your mind, you will hold it in your hand. I believe this. I don't think it's some magic trick, or woo-woo, new age mumbo jumbo. It's extremely practical when you realize that anything you can physically hold in your hand was once just a thought in someone's head. … Continue reading See it
We need more light
A dark side to social media is how hostile and divisive it can be in even the most harmless-seeming posts. Under the cover of online anonymity, people can get belligerent, arguing with strangers and spewing venom. And to what end? You can't really win an argument. "Winning" over someone else, only proves to make them … Continue reading We need more light
It’s temporary
Everything is temporary. A job loss is temporary. A great career, at best, is temporary. An economic boom is temporary. An economic downturn is just temporary. And a life, whether it's good or bad, is only temporary after all. In the end, it's all only temporary. Remember this when going through the bad spells, and … Continue reading It’s temporary
Choice
We are gifted with free will. We get to choose how to approach each moment. We get to choose if we want to be happy or not. We don't always get to choose what's happening out there. But if we had to wait on the world around us to look just exactly how we want … Continue reading Choice
How do you do?
I believe the phrase: The way you do anything is the way you do everything. It's all about your mindset. And it's very telling when you realize your own innate consistency. If you're kind and respectful to strangers, and people you may think have nothing to offer you, then it's natural for you to automatically … Continue reading How do you do?
Knowledge
It's important to study and train to develop skills for success. But studying can easily turn into a way to hide from actually becoming a success. Seth Godin asks: What have you done with what you’ve learned? You can pick any subject and gain all of the knowledge there is to find on it, but … Continue reading Knowledge
Look Ahead
I've always been happiest when I have something to look forward to. I feel energized with excitement when I have an upcoming event, a trip, or a goal to achieve. It's different from when I've just wanted to have something end. Wanting to be done with a class, or a job, or even just a … Continue reading Look Ahead
Practice
A long time ago, when diapers were a staple in my wardrobe, I couldn't walk without wobbling, or use a fork, or say the word "truck" correctly. (my "tr" sounded like an "F"... it was laugh riot at gatherings) Eventually, with enough practice, I went from wobbling to walking to running. With enough practice I … Continue reading Practice
Blessings
Whenever I start to play the sad game of Regrets, wishing I'd never met certain people, or that I hadn't allowed certain events to unfold as they did, I have to remind myself that if it wasn't for living through those things, then I wouldn't be me exactly. Any of the achievements I now have, … Continue reading Blessings
What is certain
Today I heard one of the talking heads, from their little grid of Zoom boxes that lately make up what passes for television talk shows, say that we're currently dealing with a "weird loss of certainty," and it's hard navigating it, as they are a "control freak." Actually, I don't think we had any kind … Continue reading What is certain
Real Peace
I used to rehearse arguments in my head, (or out loud while alone in the shower) with all of the antagonists in my life. Sure, I would come up with some amazing zingers that would make the writers of Dynasty proud, but in reality they just never came up at the right time. Also, all … Continue reading Real Peace
Recharge
Over the last few weeks I've scrolled through more screen time on my phone than I ever have. It seems to be draining the battery faster now, and has gotten to where I need to charge it at least twice a day. I'm also noticing that it gets overheated from working too hard. I'm always … Continue reading Recharge
Don’t forget
We forget all the time that this day could be our last. We forget all the time that we're not guaranteed another Monday, whether manic or chill. We forget all the time that the last text we sent, video we uploaded, or comment we posted could very well have been our final one. We forget … Continue reading Don’t forget
Show, don’t tell
Actions speak louder than words. It's a true statement, but looks funny written out. After all, words are what we use to communicate. But they often fall short in telling an effective story. Isn't it a picture that's worth a thousand words? That can mean that a picture is an extremely valuable source of information, … Continue reading Show, don’t tell
Love Yourself
Love Yourself. It just might be the most important thing you can do. It's certainly fundamental to a healthy self esteem. A healthy self esteem enables you to make good choices for your life. Making good choices for your life, can make a it a joyful one. A joyful life is one worth living. That's … Continue reading Love Yourself
Practice Forgiveness
It's important to take care of yourself. And practicing forgiveness actually takes care of you more than whoever it is you should forgive. Holding on to anger, grudges and resentment affects your health, not the jerk you feel it towards. Forgive, and forgive often. I write this for myself as much as anyone reading this. … Continue reading Practice Forgiveness
Learn to Listen
I love hospitality workers. They hold a special place in my heart. I pray for their specific plight during this pandemic, as most of the hospitality businesses are shut down and the jobs they are normally underpaid for are now simply gone. For years I myself worked in a restaurant, and while it was hard … Continue reading Learn to Listen
Good Days
The days as of late are a strange mix of being way too long, or so short they almost didn't happen. And they all seem to blend into one another. But even still, I believe they each have something to offer. Each day is thread in the tapestry of your life. I believe it's helpful … Continue reading Good Days
Give Yourself a Break
I often find myself thinking that I'm being too lazy for my own good. I think I need to be doing more for my career. I think I need to be doing more for society. I think I need to exercise more. I need to watch my diet more. More, more, more! And I find … Continue reading Give Yourself a Break
Grow Through It
We grow from discomfort. We might prefer to always stay comfortable, but comfort can lead to stagnation which stops any kind of growth. And if we're not growing we're dying. Building strong muscles and a tight waistline comes from pushing past your comfort zone, lifting heavy weights, and breaking a sweat. Building new professional skills … Continue reading Grow Through It
Habits
I've had a really bad habit of worrying about the future and worrying about what I'm going to do with my life. But what if I just focused on doing my best, and drop the worrying? What if I just focus on being at peace, being kind, and being as loving as I can be … Continue reading Habits
Solutions
I watched a recent remote broadcast from Abraham-Hicks, giving a talk about the current situation that the whole world is dealing with. As always, they gave pure, elegant advise on a number of the issues arising from all of this. One gem that stood out enough for me to quickly jot down was, "When you … Continue reading Solutions
Marching Forward
We grow from day to day, sometimes with each passing moment, and through each life lesson we change. Life keeps marching forward, and I know that I'm not the same person I was last year. I'm not even the same person I was last week. Some changes are subtle. Some changes leave me unrecognizable to … Continue reading Marching Forward
Energy
I read a post advising not to use your energy to worry, but instead to use it to believe. It hit the nail on a great point. One use of your energy will drain you, the other will sustain you. It's like how our devices start losing their charge the longer we use them. Seems … Continue reading Energy
Listen and Tune in.
Louise Hay was a wonderful author and teacher. One of my favorite books of hers, You Can Heal Your Life, has this ingenious index, where she lists common ailments you may suffer from, along with the underlying emotional cause of each particular "dis-ease." And then she offers a new thought pattern to practice and encourage … Continue reading Listen and Tune in.
A Life Worth Living
I make sure I laugh every day because I want a life filled with days that I had laughed. I make sure to think of all the people that I love, every day, because I want a life filled with days that I had loved. I make sure to see posts of puppies and kittens … Continue reading A Life Worth Living
Avoid Regret
If saying or doing something hurtful against another feels bad to you now, just think about how much worse you may feel in the future, looking back and being powerless to stop your past self. Have you ever recalled something nasty you may have said in the past, and cringed in horror at the thought? … Continue reading Avoid Regret
Hope and Peace
On this Easter Sunday, we are reminded of the message of hope as given from the story of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Hope and a fresh start for a new chapter. A new chapter for us all, and a renewal of a commitment of mine. I pray to the Holy Spirit to let my … Continue reading Hope and Peace
Practice Kindness
Kindness is a skill appreciated by most, and one that benefits all. They say you can catch more flies with honey. And as Mark Twain put it, Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see. Practicing kindness is the way to a happy life. It's what can save the … Continue reading Practice Kindness
Good things
We become what we consume and think about all day long. That's why it's important to be mindful of what kind of information and media we fill ourselves up with. However, it's with beautiful design that our inner wisdom will set off alarm bells by feeling crappy when we're consumed with too much of what … Continue reading Good things
True Colors
I read this quote that says, If someone shows you their true colors, don't try and repaint them. This hit home for me, because I've made the mistake of trying to "fix" people in a misguided attempt at helping. I've also confused the idea of "seeing the best in everyone" to mean that I can … Continue reading True Colors
The Real Deal
I was never a fan of dress rehearsals. The anxiety of a production is at an all time high that night, and anything that can go wrong, usually does. Actually, they say that a terrible dress rehearsal means you'll have a great opening night. Because, essentially then you've gotten all of the kinks out. They … Continue reading The Real Deal
Introspection
Eckhart Tolle recently brought up a famous quote from Shakespeare's Hamlet, "There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so." Hamlet should know. He was an awfully introspective fellow, always dancing around in his head with those heavy thoughts of his. And the message is important. Things, experiences, situations, and relationships are … Continue reading Introspection
Answers
Abraham-Hicks has said that you can't talk and listen at the same time. This is fundamental for effective communication. If you want to know if you've been heard, and if you truly want to get the answers you've asked for, then you need to quiet down, listen for a change, and receive them. You don't … Continue reading Answers
Being
In a recent interview regarding the Covid-19 pandemic, and the emotions that pop up due to our stay-at-home response, acclaimed author Glennon Doyle said that "One of the reasons we all want to get online and do something right now is because we want to get away." We've been so programmed to believe that we … Continue reading Being
A circle of things
I recently heard this great piece of advice given about dealing with feeling overwhelmed with all the things to do with modern life. Essentially they said to put everything you can actually do something about into one imaginary circle, and then put everything that you cannot presently do anything about into another circle. Then just … Continue reading A circle of things
You are enough
You are enough. I don't know if you realize that or not. I think most people don't. I think that's why we believe we have to buy things to impress others, hoping to fill an emptiness inside. Why we have hoarded so many things, that renting storage units is a major industry. Why we all … Continue reading You are enough
Each and Every Day
In a zoom meeting this week, we touched on the fact that sometimes you just want to veg out and do nothing, rather than face all the challenges coming up in navigating these uncertain times, while still hoping to achieve professional goals. Our coach, the meeting lead - ever the motivator - reminded us that … Continue reading Each and Every Day
It’s all here, now
When I feel overwhelmed, it's because I'm thinking I need to solve all of the problems in my world right in that immediate moment. I don't even know where to start, but I already feel like I'm behind. The deal with thinking about all of your problems is that you're actively directing your thoughts towards … Continue reading It’s all here, now
I’m awake!
My absolute favorite moment of the day, is when I first wake up and realize that I'm awake! It feels like a light switch is turned on, and I'm surged with electricity. The first thought that pops into my head is Thank You-for my life, and then I get so excited at the thought of … Continue reading I’m awake!
Life is short
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
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
