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My grandfather, Otto Fox--an unlikely mix of German and American Indian heritage--was a gruff man. But he held himself in a way that others might perceive him strong and distant and refined. He drove a Cadillac. He enjoyed fine dining at elegant restaurants including Sportsmen's Lodge in Studio City and Welch's Restaurant in Long Beach. His slim frame was impeccably dressed.
I don't recall my grandfather in blue jeans. Ever. He wore slacks, a dress shirt, often a fedora, and a well-worn grimace. I occasionally accompanied my grandfather to the men's store to shop for clothes. There were three qualities my grandfather required of a new shirt: a thin crisp fabric, solid and neutral in color; long, generous sleeves; and seven buttons, rather than the common six. Always, seven buttons.
It's remarkable the difference an unassuming, seventh button makes behind the seams. A seven-button shirt ensures that the bottom button falls well below the waist. The shirt flaps remain tucked, and they don't separate at the belt. A quarter-century after my grandfather's passing, I still look for dress shirts with a seventh button.
But more importantly, the seventh button has become something of a metaphor. A metaphor that illustrates how small things--even a plastic button that rarely sees the light of day--can provide a margin of excellence.
Do you have a structure--an object, a relationship, a song, anything at all--that serves you as a seventh button serves me? A reminder that little things--small investments of possessions, energy, time, anything at all--might provide the margin of excellence in who you are and in what you do?
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Michael Fox
m�agine!
530/613.2774
407 Myrtle Drive
Farmerville, LA, USA 71241 |
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In addition to personal and professional coaching,
m�agine! specializes in spiritual transformation coaching,
employing its proprietary models
--Values, Vision, Voice and Heart, Soul, Mind & Strength--
as well as
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator� curriculum
published by CPP, the People Development People.
Michael's books include
Complete in Christ,
Complete in Christ Spiritual Transformation Workbook,
and Biblio�files.
Coaching fees are based upon a sliding scale. Contact us for details.
For additional information, visit our website at maginethepossibilities.net.
Limited scholarships are available for spiritual transformation coaching.
On the flip side, if you are able, please inquire about opportunities
to fund scholarships for those who cannot afford coaching fees.
View our archives!
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