Inspiration can be found anywhere. One man's trash could be another man's million dollar idea. Inspiration is everywhere and nowhere all at once. This is because the inspiration is coming from inside of you. All of that outside stuff is just there to help you remember that the spark comes from you. You are the … Continue reading Inspiration
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.
Help Them
Help when you can, however you can. The time will come when you'll need help from someone else. Why else do you think we're all here, if not to help each other? If we didn't need each other, there would be no reason to exist together. So, do your part, and help when you can.
Give
Whatever you're looking for in life, give it away. If you're looking for peace, give peace. If you're looking for joy, give joy. It's in the giving, that you create it. It's in giving it away that you show how abundant you are with it already.
Feelings
Feelings are signals. They can be caused by different factors, most notably thoughts. And, not all thoughts are true. It's wise not to get swept away by feelings, because their causes aren't always benevolent. So, learn how to let the feelings come, go, and pass through, without taking you along the ride with them. They're … Continue reading Feelings
Ease Up
Ease up on yourself. You don't have to go after life so hard. Ultimately, you want peace and liberty. It's what everyone wants. The only way to get peace in your life is if you start by being peaceful yourself. Ease up. It's your life, and you are responsible for how you're treated... especially by … Continue reading Ease Up
Deserving
The deal with being deserving is that you get exactly what you believe you deserve. If you believe you deserve a blessed life, you'll have a blessed life. If you don't believe you deserve more, you won't get more. Some people bemoan the fact that they think they deserve better circumstances. But, there's a contradiction … Continue reading Deserving
Collaborate
Our modern society works overtime to train us to be independent, solitary, and isolated from each other. Even when we're working right next to each other, the modern instinct is to stay in our silos and focused on our screens. But, our survival depends on our ability to create trusting relationships. We must relearn how … Continue reading Collaborate
Basic
Basic gets a bad rap for being dull. But, without the basics, then the fantastics would have nothing to be compared against. There needs to be the contrast. Besides, basic is such as dependable, solid foundation. Sometimes all you need are the basics.
Allow
If you're miserable because of circumstances, it isn't really the circumstances. Your misery is a result of what you allow to get to you. Horrible things may happen. How much you allow them to drag you is up to you. The one thing you have complete control over is your reaction. That may not seem … Continue reading Allow
Your Pace
For the most part, your life is run according to your own pace. Sure, you have obligations and commitments, but they are from your own choices. Even if they don't feel like it. After all, you are the one who woke up to this day in your life. No one else even has the ability … Continue reading Your Pace
Wishes
Wishes can be fun and exciting. But, they're no benefit to you without action on your part to back them up. The best thing you can do for a wish is to turn it into a goal, and then strategically work to make it come it true.
Views
An interesting thing about differing views, is that we can be so blind to anything that doesn't align with our own. It's best to remember that a view is how you see it, it isn't necessarily how it is. Someone else could see something different altogether. Same topic, different views.
Undo
You can't undo what's done. What's happened has happened, and there's no going back. Time only moves forward. The best thing you can do is learn from the experience, and choose differently going forward. If you could undo the whole thing you wouldn't benefit from the lesson. So, it works out for the best anyway.
Teamwork
Teamwork can be an extremely powerful force. It just depends on the team. A group of people isn't a team until they are fully aligned in their values and their mission. Once that happens, the teamwork from such a unified group can literally move mountains.
Speak It
Say what you mean, and mean what you say. Remember that words have power, so be careful with how you use them. Sure, you can always say you're sorry if you lash out. But, even still, whatever you said before that will not be so easily forgotten. Speak only about what you want. And above … Continue reading Speak It
Reach
You're closer than you realize to having your dreams come true. But, you might not there yet, because you're still waiting for them to land in your lap. Sometimes all you have to do is reach out for them, and they're yours. It's putting in the effort that shows you're ready to receive them. Reach … Continue reading Reach
People
Whether you consider yourself a "people person" or not, the fact is that we need people to accomplish anything in our world. Even with all of the advances in automated technology, it was people who created it, and people who continue to coordinate it. It's because of people that this technology is needed, and it's … Continue reading People
Obligations
Remember a fundamental fact: all of your obligations are from your own choices. Realizing that you are the one who chose to bring them into your life, can turn all of your obligations from something you have to do, into something you get to do. And, that can make all the difference in the world. … Continue reading Obligations
Notifications
Notifications can be a wonderful help, or an annoying nuisance. It's up to you to decide how to perceive them. This is true for just about everything in your life. And, if you're getting too many notifications throughout the day, you can always limit their frequency. It's your life. Schedule it in the most beneficial … Continue reading Notifications
Mistakes
Mistakes are simply lessons. The bigger the mistake, the bigger chance you have to learn. You just need to choose to see it that way, and then learn from your mistakes.
Listen
The most effective strategy for any successful interaction is to simply listen. It's simple, but it doesn't seem to be easy. This is because most of the time we tend to only listen to the constant chatter of our own inner voice. If you learn to take your attention away from that for a bit, … Continue reading Listen
Kind-hearted
With all of the issues plaguing the planet right now, the thing that is needed the most, is for more people to embrace being kind-hearted. We don't need more ruthlessness. We don't need more clever fighters. We need kind-hearted people. All of the wars and famines and crises of the world are because of all … Continue reading Kind-hearted
Joyful Days
Simply put, our lives are made up of a series of days. The key to a good life, is to be aware enough to bring joy to as many of them as possible. The more joyful days you can live, the better your life will be. It's your life, and it really is in your … Continue reading Joyful Days
Ideas
Ideas can be your saving grace. Ideas solve problems. Where do they come from? Ideas help, so who or what is offering that help? Whatever it is, it's certainly another opportunity to be grateful. That gratitude just might inspire even more wonderful ideas that can help.
Health
The deal is that no amount of money, no fancy home or luxury item will help if you have poor health. Ask a wealthy person who is suffering from poor health, and they'll tell you that they would trade any of it to feel better. Your health is your most valuable asset while you are … Continue reading Health
Gravity
Gravity is a phenomenon that causes things to be heavy. It pulls them down and gives them weight. It also protects them from just floating away forever and ever. It's the same circumstance, only looked at in a positive light. This change in perspective can help you out in practically any circumstance. What seems like … Continue reading Gravity
Faith
It's important to have faith. It's important to believe in something good, even before any evidence shows itself. But, just as the famous saying goes, faith without works is dead. In other words, you need to act on your faith. It's not enough to sit still and only say that you have faith. As with … Continue reading Faith
Expectations
Expectations can get you into trouble. They can lead to disappointment if they don't come true. However, expectations can also direct your mind towards optimism. If you're filled with positive expectations, you'll be inspired to make positive changes. Expectations are powerful. Use this power wisely.
Decisions
Decisions can be extremely hard if you put too much pressure on yourself in making them. If you think you'll fail miserably, or something awful will happen if you make the wrong choice, then you've put an unbearable amount of pressure on the decision. But, who said you knew all of the outcomes? Ease up … Continue reading Decisions
Compassion
Compassion is something we all appreciate, and frankly, expect from others when we need it. The thing about that is, we need to give it as often as we expect it. Compassion is the glue that keeps societies together.
Bravery
It takes an act of bravery to get up, face the day, and face it with kindness. So, you are brave to do this each and every day. You may struggle with it, and you may be scared most days, about what might possibly happen. But, the fact that you still go on, despite this … Continue reading Bravery
Abstinence
The thing about practicing abstinence, from any vice, is that it's a whole lot easier if you focus more on what you're gaining rather than on what you're being deprived of. It's likely more effective that way as well. So, rather than harping in on what you are abstaining from, think about what positive thing … Continue reading Abstinence
Youth
They say that youth is wasted on the young. However, those that are saying this are busy wasting their own time looking backwards. Don't be like them. Celebrate your age right now, and at any age you are. Celebrate it for the whole ride. Celebrate it so much, that you don't have time to waste … Continue reading Youth
Wisdom
The thing about wisdom is, you don't get it from always being smart and doing the right thing. You get wisdom by learning from your mistakes. And, those mistakes are really lessons in disguise. Understanding that distinction is what having wisdom is all about. Embrace the lessons.
Visibility
You will always need help from others in any venture you take. We need people. But, they aren't just waiting around for a signal that you need help. You need to put yourself out there. Visibility is vital to getting the attention and assistance you need.
Utility
Something has "utility," when it provides value, like running water in a home. Each one of us provide utility to the world as a whole. We each have value because we're here. And, despite the current societal trend, we all need each other. There's a need for each and every person to add their value, … Continue reading Utility
Timing
Timing is everything. When it's right, it's oh so good. When it's not the right time, no amount of wishing or good will can make it work. Trust the timing.
Strength
Strength doesn't always mean a show of brute force. Sometimes strength is choosing to be calm and gentle. Strength comes from your choices. How you choose to react to situations shows your true strength.
Relax
Tension may create a diamond out of coal, allegedly, but it sure doesn't help create good ideas. A closed fist and a closed mind prevent anything new from coming in, good or bad. Learn to relax. Let the good flow to you. It's not always guaranteed, but it can definitely better reach you when you … Continue reading Relax
Peace
We're all here for a reason, and for a responsibility to the whole, simply because we're here. We all have a part to play in bringing peace to the whole world. Peace begins within. We must find peace within ourselves, in order to bring it to the rest of the world. Imagine how peaceful the … Continue reading Peace
Original
In this era of reboots and sequels, and even worse, the copies of copies of copies that are only in it for the "likes" on social media... be an original. Please. The world is in desperate need of originality. Because we can only copy so much before there's no value left whatsoever. Value can be … Continue reading Original
Nice
"Nice" can get a bad rap because most of the time it comes across as insincere. And, that's because, frankly, it reeks of effort. Nice people seem to work at being so, and it's usually for ulterior motives. Whether it's an outright manipulation, or simply a tactic for people pleasing, acting nice tends to rub … Continue reading Nice
Memories
Any one of these moments can become a lasting, cherished memory to lift you up and remind you of how much you've loved. And, you get to be the one to make those memories. So, as you get your choice of any of these moments, you might as well get to it.
Listening
Listening is vital for effective communication. Effective communication is vital for healthy relationships. And, our survival depends upon our ability to form healthy, trusting relationships. Listening is as vital as eating. But, it seems that people aren't doing so well with healthy, life-sustaining diets either. We need to take our survival seriously. That includes healthy … Continue reading Listening
Keep On
Keep on keeping on. If you're still breathing, you still have a way to go. You still have a chance to grow. You still get to create. So, keep going. Keep on with living the gift that is your life.
Just Do It
Just Do It was an incredibly successful slogan for a huge sports brand because it resonates. Winning happens when you stop debating and strategizing, and you just do it. That applies to life as much as it applies to sports. It's in the doing that makes good things happen. It's not in the talking or … Continue reading Just Do It
Instincts
Your instincts can be a superpower. They can help guide you through different relationships. They can even help you in your career. As with anything that can help you, they require that you trust in them. Trust your instincts, and enjoy them as a superpower.
Hope
Hope can feel good, until it stays too long at the party. When all you've been doing is holding on to the hope that something will change, yet nothing has changed for a while, then hope is getting in the way. Hope can also be a stalling tactic. Try getting into action. Take some kind … Continue reading Hope
Generosity
When it comes to generosity, it's important to remember that quality trumps quantity. And, often the gesture means more when it's unannounced. After all, how generous is it really, if you're expecting credit for it?
Friends
Friends are possibly the greatest gift you can get for being human. That's why we're all here, after all. To be friends with each other. To teach and learn from one another. And, the best part is when friends become so close that they're family. Our family aren't always our friends, but when our friends … Continue reading Friends
Eventually
Things reach a conclusion eventually, so waste no time worrying about it. Don't worry about the end, since it's a given, eventually, and focus instead on the journey. Focus on making the most out of each moment leading up to the end. Because it's in these moments when the good stuff happens. The end does … Continue reading Eventually
Detours
Life is full of detours that move you from where you thought you were going. It's part of the process, and not cause for concern. So long as you don't let these detours derail you, it's all a part of the adventure.
Calm
Calm isn't a luxury, it's a necessity. If your life isn't predominately calm, then it's out of alignment. Chaos is not a badge of superiority, it's dysfunction. Realign your priorities, end the chaos, and get back to calm.
Believe
Your whole world is built from your beliefs. What you see is what you believe. So, if you want to see something else, if you want to manifest something else, you need to believe it first.
Ask
The quickest and cleanest way to get what you want, is to ask for it. You're not guaranteed to get it, at least not right away, but your chances are a whole lot better than if you don't ask. So, do yourself a favor, and ask.
Your Turn
If you're waiting for it to be your turn before you can step up, speak up, or stand up, then consider this the time. It is your turn when you decide it is. This is your life, and you have to be in charge of your actions. Everyone else is dealing with their own lives. … Continue reading Your Turn
Words
Words try to help, but they don't fully get the job done. Words can even send you down the wrong path, intentionally or not. It's best to take care with the words you use. Be impeccable with your word, as Don Miguel Ruiz advises. Words may not be a perfect communication devise, but, so far, … Continue reading Words
Vanity
Vanity is a losing battle hardly worth the time to describe it. Everything physical ages, changes, and deteriorates. It's much more worth your energy to focus on eternal qualities such as your character, how kind you are, and your integrity. Leave vanity to the clown characters of fiction, and focus on what's important. Focus on … Continue reading Vanity
Use it Now
Use what you've got, now. Enjoy your life, Now! This isn't a dress rehearsal, and you are guaranteed absolutely no time, no matter how many close calls you've already survived. So, celebrate now. Wear those awesome clothes that you've been saving for a special occasion, now. Use the expensive perfume. Tell your friends how much … Continue reading Use it Now
Teach
The best way to excel at your skills is to teach them to someone else. It all seems to go back to the idea of giving away what want to have more of. Teaching someone else helps you to clarify what it is in your own words. And, it helps to show yourself just how … Continue reading Teach
Strength
We think that strength is a physical attribute. But, we can only be strong if we believe it. As with most everything, strength comes from our belief that we can be strong. Shore up your beliefs, and you'll move towards having great strength.
Rest
And, for goodness sake, take the time to rest. It's what every intelligent being knows is necessary for health and survival. So, be intelligent. Rest when you're tired.
Protection
Life can change in an instant. Anything can happen, at any time. It seems there is no ultimate fail-safe protection, because there's just no accounting for every single instance. Or, is there? Possibly the only true protection for your soul, is love. Simply, love.
Opportunities
Opportunities are always available to those who believe they will find them. Just like nothing will work out for those who believe it won't. So, which will you believe?
Needs
Whenever we get wrapped up in thinking about all of the things we want, we can end up feeling a gnawing sense of lack. It's far more important to focus on your needs more than your wants. Take care of your needs, your true needs. Be grateful for them being fulfilled. Focus on that gratitude … Continue reading Needs
Motivation
Motivation is not something you can wait for, because it's not coming from anywhere but yourself. Motivation is not something you can count on, because it's only a flimsy idea. As it's only an idea in your own head, you can easily change your mind the second things get hard. It's best not to hope … Continue reading Motivation
Life
Everything in the world is made of living energy. It builds everything and everyone we see from tiny atoms, all the way up. So, if everything is made up of this living energy, when, exactly does life begin? Or, has it been here all along?
Know
Know where you're going, it'll make the journey more pleasant. You don't have to know every last detail, but you should at least know the general idea. Know what you want. You can't expect to receive it, if you don't know it. Again, you don't have to know every last detail, but you should at … Continue reading Know
Joyful
Being joyful is the most natural way to be. That's why brand new humans are so joyful, until they're taught not to be. They naturally want to enjoy life, until they're taught that life is supposed to be hard and painful. They joyfully interact with other little humans, until they're taught to compete with and … Continue reading Joyful
Inspire
The answer is to give what you are looking for. If you are seeking inspiration, see where you can inspire others. It's in creating that kind of environment that will lead you towards your own inspiration.
Help Someone
Help someone else, even if it's just to offer a sympathetic ear. Not only does your act help them, it can help you too. Helping others can pull you out of your own isolation. It also shows everyone, most importantly yourself, that the world has people in it willing to help.
Gratitude
Gratitude is the quickest and best fix for a bad attitude. You can't be upset and focused on gratitude at the same time. You can't feel lack and gratitude at the same time. You can't be worried and focused on gratitude at the same time. Gratitude is the fix to these troubles and so much … Continue reading Gratitude
Freedom
Freedom means you have the ability to choose an action. But, freedom doesn't absolve you from consequences. No freedom ever saves you from consequences. Thinking so is beyond ignorant, it's plain stupid. However, people are free to be stupid if they'd like. They just have to deal with the consequences of being so.
Energy
Energy is the currency of exchange for human relations. We willingly give our energy to those we love and it empowers them. While our energy is taken from us by those we are in competition with, leaving us feeling drained. Much like any currency, we only have a set amount each day, so it's important … Continue reading Energy
Distance
Distance is not dependent upon logistics. You can be miles away from someone, and yet feel them right there in your heart. Or, you can be sitting next someone and they may as well be in another galaxy. Logistics is not the determining factor in distance. Consciousness is.
Careful
Be careful with the words you say. And, not only the ones you say to others, but the ones you silently say to yourself. Words have power. They represent the thoughts you think and the feelings you feel. Be careful with how you use them. Because, even if you apologize, and say that you didn't … Continue reading Careful
Becoming
Becoming is a word that has two meanings. One of them is is an adjective meaning flattering. The other is more of a philosophy, meaning the process of coming to be something. As we all get to create our own lives, I say make it one that is becoming. Remember that it is always unfolding, … Continue reading Becoming
Again
Pay attention to the moments of your life, especially the ones you share with your loved ones. And, not just the big moments, but the little, everyday ones too. Nothing is guaranteed to last forever. You may not get the chance to experience a shared moment again. And, if it does happen again, well consider … Continue reading Again
Yo-yo
Until you decide to stop complaining, any chance at lasting peace and happiness in your life will be delayed. It doesn't matter if you meditate, or journal, or practice gratitude, if you finish them up with complaints, then all you're doing is playing with your happiness like a yo-yo, perpetually bouncing up and down. Stop … Continue reading Yo-yo
Welcoming
If you focus your energy more towards welcoming what you want, rather than blocking out what you don't, you're going to benefit in so many ways. For one, you'll have a lot more energy to accept the things you want, because welcoming is exciting, whereas resistance is such a drain. And, energy flows where attention … Continue reading Welcoming
Villains
It's tempting to act like friends and neighbors are suddenly villains worthy of gossiping about, because so much media creates such a thing. But, villains for the most part are a product fiction. Just like media is fiction, for the most part. Don't get brainwashed. And, definitely stop trying to emulate "reality tv" personalities. They're … Continue reading Villains
Underway
You are enough, just as you are. And, yet, you are never fully complete. You are a constantly unfolding, glorious work in progress. You're not done, you're simply underway. You're underway on this journey of experiencing a full life as only you can. This is godly work. Pay attention, and enjoy the process.
Toward
It's so much more powerful to focus on what you are moving toward, rather than what you're moving away from. No need to keep looking back, all of that is done and over. Look ahead, that's where you're moving. Face what you're moving toward. It just makes good sense. It's also a lot easier on … Continue reading Toward
Sleep
Sleep is just as vital for our health and survival as breathing. Yet, it can be looked at as heroic to sacrifice sleep in order to hustle for your work. This is silly, counter-intuitive, and not sustainable. After all, no one would think it's cool to sacrifice your breathing in order to hustle. Respect yourself … Continue reading Sleep
Reboot
We can all get stuck in a rut. But, change is scary. So, rather than trying to completely overhaul your life, try giving it a reboot. Keep all of the familiar greatest hits of your life, just freshen them up a bit. Possibly add a cool new character or two. And bring it all up … Continue reading Reboot
Options
No one is born inherently evil. No one is born inherently saintly. As we go through life, we are presented with many options. Choices we can take based on what we experience. You get to choose if you want to act out in an evil or in a saintly way. And, you can always choose … Continue reading Options
Path
Love is the path of Heaven. Fear is the path of Hell. These are not final destinations. They are the paths of Heaven or Hell, not to them. Your choices dictate what path you are on. The final judgement is in your hands. It's been given to you for you to decide. And, you decide … Continue reading Path
Neighbors
Neighbors used to be our greatest allies. They used to be the source of our collective strength. It seems that in today's isolated society, a neighbor is looked at as a nuisance at best, and an enemy at the worst. Being isolated like this weakens us. Distrusting or even hating our neighbors leaves us dangerously … Continue reading Neighbors
Move
Don't get trapped in your head, thinking your way through life. It's not always a safe place. If you stay too long up there, your thoughts can create a veritable mental house of horrors. The best way to save yourself from it, is to move. Take any kind of action, however small at first, but … Continue reading Move
Likes
Social media has conditioned all of us to mindlessly hit that we like most everything the algorithm is feeding us. But, when was the last time you thought about all of those "likes" you dish out? Do you really like everything that you "like?" Or are you just going through the motions? Also, if you're … Continue reading Likes
Kindness
The world doesn't need anyone to spout out their beliefs. The world doesn't need to hear how wrong anyone is in someone else's opinion. What the world needs now and forevermore, is kindness. It was the main message from one of the most important teachers in history. That means something. So, drop all of the … Continue reading Kindness
Joyful Living
Simply surviving can't be all that there is. Because then, what's the point? We should be thriving. We should have days full of love and joy. Joyful living should be the standard. So, who's ready to get started? It all starts with a choice to be joyful.
Invested
You can think and dream about what you want for your life all you want, but nothing will happen until you do something about it. You've got to get invested in the dream, or else it will just stay a dream. When you invest in something, you take ownership of it. And that requires a … Continue reading Invested
Happiness
We all want things and experiences to happen, because we believe they will make us happy. Happiness is the motivating factor. But, here's the thing: we can be happy any time we want. There is no need to wait until we get the thing or the experience. In fact, deciding to be happy now, may … Continue reading Happiness
Give
Give the things you want to get. Demonstrate your prosperity by sharing it. Be a part of the solution you seek, by showing them how it's done. Give to get.
Friction
We tend to avoid uncomfortable situations as if our lives depend on it. But, just remember that some of the most wonderful treasures of life are born only because of friction, like diamonds, pearls, revolutionary ideas, and even new life itself. Friction isn't comfortable, but it is essential.
Enjoy
Enjoy your life now, with what you've got, and with whoever you're sharing it with. Your life is happening now, not in the future when you've reached your goals, and not in the past when you thought it was the good ole days. Now. This is all you've got. So, enjoy it. And if you … Continue reading Enjoy
Dance
There's a reason that dance feels so great, even if it's performed awkwardly. Actually there are a few reasons. It's your body's way of expressing itself. There's magic in it. And it's an expression of love. All good reasons to take any chance you can, and dance.
Choose
Life gets very simple once you realize that you get to choose every moment of it. Simple isn't easy, it's just simple because there's only the one rule. And that is, that you get to choose. You get to choose how you react to everything. You get to choose how to perceive everything. You get … Continue reading Choose
Better
There's always a chance to strive to be better. Just don't waste your energy competing with others. Strive to be better than who you were yesterday. Keep moving onward, and you'll keep life exciting for yourself. But don't worry about it. Don't worry about any of it.
Like a Fox! 