Use a personal mantra to unleash your own magic!
If you’re a regular reader of my blog, you’ll know I’m a big fan of vision boards, in large part because they’re just plain fun to use, but also because they help me stay focused on my goals and plans. And one of the most prominent images on my personal vision board for 2013 is a phrase I’ve adopted as my personal mantra for the year.
What is a mantra?
The Merriam-Webster online dictionary defines a mantra as “a mystical formula of invocation or incantation”, a definition I absolutely love, because it makes me think of all things magical. And to me, mantras really are something magical. It’s like having your own personal spell that you can whisper to yourself when times get rough, to remind yourself of your goals, and everything – all the hopes and dreams and work you’ve already put in – that lies behind those goals. And it gives you the strength to keep going; it re-inspires and reinvigorates you. Just like magic.
You’re probably familiar with the idea of a mantra, mostly in association with meditation. And the word probably conjures up pictures in your mind of people sitting around with their eyes closed, chanting “om”. But what I’m talking about today is more in the sense of a mantra as a personal catchphrase or motto; an affirmation that you can use as a compass point in your life.
My personal mantra
My personal mantra for the year.
My personal mantra for the year is: “I can and I will. Watch me.”
It’s my reminder to ignore what other people think or say, and to stay true to what I feel inside. It’s the magic spell that I cast whenever I start to doubt myself, or wonder whether I can actually achieve my goals; the incantation I whisper when I feel I’m being judged , or become sad and afraid of what other people might think about my dreams; it’s my (not so) mystical formula for strength and perseverance.
It’s also my kick in the pants when I start slacking off.
As 2012 was winding down, I decided that 2013 was going to be my watershed year. I made a decision that, this year, I will achieve my goals, and I will look back on the year as a turning point… the year that everything changed.
This is the year that:
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- I will no longer allow myself to put my dreams to the side for “someday”, because the problem with “someday” is that it all too frequently becomes “never”.
- I will no longer accept procrastination or excuses, and I will no longer allow fear to prevent me from making progress.
- I will push my comfort zone boundaries and stretch myself in new directions.
- I will learn something new every day.
- I will become unstoppable.
- I will follow my heart and accomplish amazing things.
- I will begin to live my dreams.
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This is the year that I will be fierce.
I can, and I will.
Watch me.
Do you have a personal mantra, or a favourite quote or phrase that you use to keep yourself motivated? Please share it in the comment section below!
Wow! Nathalie, another out of the ballpark post! You are unstoppable and fierce, my dear!
I have three phrases at the head and foot of my bed. They are:
I connect.
I live in nature with trees and grass.
My being is creation.
Intention is a huge part of realization. State your intentions and they become your life.
Giant smooshy hugs,
Carole
Thanks Carole! Oooo… I like “I connect”. I think I’m going to add that to my vision board for the year, too. 🙂 First I shall have to make a lovely picture out of it, so it looks nice on Pinterest, because that is where I keep my vision boards.
I will is such a powerful statement. You always have to keep that in the forefront of you mind. It will really drive you to keep going xo
It does give you a sense of power when you use “I will” statements, doesn’t it? I’ve also found that “I will” helps me to focus more, too. 🙂
you know, Nathalie, these mantras are powerful indeed. They can move mountains, as I have learned of late. I have also learned it is not the kind of childhood you had, but what was instilled in you in that childhood. I have read and known many accounts of those who had nothing and made something of themselves and thus helped society in a much grander way and know of other cases in which there was pampering and coddling by parents and nothing became of them, as life was too difficult, they dropped out of it and are just not living now. The difference? They mantras the parents recited to their children.
What I am trying to say is that no matter what the circumstances, no matter how poor you are, a good parent will instill wonderful feelings in a child that will inspire him/her to move mountains. Bad parents hit and reprimand, supposedly to discipline in order to control them, but there is great insecurity and fear underlying their reactions to their kids, and the kids grow up in fear, second-guessing themselves, not knowing how to handle situations, leading to anxiety and depression. It is mind-boggling, but I do understand. I understand that the foundation to a great life is these wonderful feelings, faith in yourself and the universe, because it does take care of things if you have no doubts. So, it all has to do with your emotions about it all.
Mantras are everything if backed up with pure intent!
Mantras can, indeed, help you to move mountains. And the intent we put into something is always the driving force in what we manifest. Because the intent is what we are focused on. Focus on what you want to achieve (intend it) and ramp it up with a mantra or set of affirmations, and you unleash a very powerful creative force.
When I use the term “mantra” I view it completely in positive terms. For the situation you’re describing, wherein an individual becomes conditioned through his or her environment to use maladaptive or outright destructive coping strategies to deal with life, I would use the term “negative thought patterns”. Maladaptive coping strategies can obviously span a wide array of degrees or severities, but they all boil down to the negative thought patterns, or negative thought habits.
The good thing is that, no matter where you started from, no matter what your background is, no matter what your childhood was like or what your current coping strategies are — once you become aware of the strategies that you’re using and aware of the fact that everything flows from your thoughts, you immediately have the power to change it all. Remember that when you change your thoughts, you change your world. And everyone has the power to do just that. And this is where that intention you talked about comes in. Combine that intent to change your thought habits with the tools (such as mantras) to keep yourself on track, and you can create any future for yourself that you want.
Big hugs for you, and hope you’re having a great week so far! 🙂
Thanks!
There were no negative thought patterns in those particular situations. Where there was poverty and alcoholism and the children could not be taken care of and neglected, they were so loved and that was clearly made known to them, thus giving them strength and a perfect foundation to succeed, beating the odds. Positivity was instilled in them as well as confidence to carry on in life no matter what and not feel sorry for oneself, no matter what.
This is in contrast to the over-protected children who were scolded and name-called by their parents but were given everything from a material standpoint, but did not know how to handle situations and were prone to disorders and such. I was contrasting these two situations. Yes, the children in this category were prone to negative thought patters, yet those in the former category were not. Here is where the mantras came in and did the job- the magic. The kids in the first category were flooded with love and mantras, those in the latter category were not, and thus prone to negative thought patterns. So, love is really the key and, though you cannot live on it to pay the rent per se, it still does sustain and carry you through life. I hope I made it clearer. If you cannot get this love from parents, you can work on yourself and build it from there. It is a bit tougher, but still doable, because of the knowledge that the universe is on your side.
Love is always the key. 🙂
I believe that everything is “doable” when we believe it is. And learning to let go of the past and the old programming that we picked up through our pasts (and we all have “baggage” like this to one extent or another) is a part of our ongoing journey. Obviously it’s easier if you learned the positive mental coping skills and strategies as a child, but anyone can learn them at any time…as long as they are ready.
Oh, yeah, as long as they are ready, for sure. There comes a point in your life when you ar just like- I cannot live like this anymore. It is way too exhausting and unproductive walking around with an anvil in your stomach.
But Nathalie, even when the anvil is gone and you get with the flow of things and it definitely shows in physical and you even feel it, your heart strings get pulled from time to time with past regrets and so on. Is that insanity or what? You may call it that. Ab reminds us of this all the time. So, to fully meet our expansion and not be pulled like that, what else do we have to do? I guess just keep going and one day, you will be in the vortex again? That is how Abe explained it to someone who wanted to go to Seattle for love. Maybe you came across that video as well? Abe said that he was not ready, but one day he will wake and and will be. We just have to trust that and not beat up on ourselves.
Very nice!
It’s not insanity, A. It’s just part of being human. Our emotions are a big part of who we are, and a critical component of our experience here. When you are learning to let go of big parts of your past, you will feel that anvil being lifted. Like you said, you’ll notice the difference both physically and mentally. You’ll just feel so much better. But at the same time, when these big things you’re leaving behind were that, well, big… it’s sometimes hard to just let go. It’s normal that there will be good days and it’s normal that there might also be some not-so-good days that still tug at your heartstrings. There is nothing wrong with you, and you’re not doing anything wrong just because this happens from time to time; you’re doing just fine, and it’s all just a part of the process. When it happens, remind yourself that you’ve let this go, and refocus on something else to distract yourself and shift yourself to a higher vibration. Be gentle with yourself, and don’t beat yourself up. With time, it won’t pull at you anymore. Give yourself that time, accept that it’s part of the journey, and yes, keep going.
Abraham is (are? I never know how to use the pronouns with them… I usually just refer to Esther and leave it at that… lol) very wise. If something keeps pulling at you, it may very well be that you’re just not quite ready to fully let it go just yet. But you’re working on it, and you will get there. Again, it’s part of the process and part of your journey. Big hugs for you!
Yes, when you are in the process of letting go, but are not there yet, you are still in that place of not being ready. It is all a process. Your physical reality also changes with how you feel and how ready you are. For example, when in the depths of despair, you are not able to see or hear anything outside the pit you are in, no matter what people tell you. Whet they say falls on deaf ears. It is not until you crawl out of that pit, as it is a process, that things start clicking, the universe brings things to you and synchronicity take place. So, the point is not to get to that despairing place.
I have noticed this in the bios I have read about celebrities. They did not allow themselves to get down professionally. They just kept going in that respect. Maybe personally in some cases they grieved for a romance whose flame burnt out, or a friendship which was no more, but the point was they kept going in that realm as well. They knew the secret of not dwelling on this stuff and kept at getting other “stuff”, because that is what life is about.
That is why Abe says be happy anyway. That is the state that will get you places, any places you wish to go, for it is the state required to get there smoothly and not kicking and screaming. It is the per-requisite state to enjoy the journey while keeping your energy and health. I really get it now!
Great conversation!
oops, I meant pre-requisite
Exactly! The best thing is to distract yourself from the negative thoughts you associate with the situation, and to deliberately keep yourself focused on the better feeling thoughts and on where you really want to be. Don’t give up!
And your last sentence is by far your most important insight with this: joy and love are the necessary emotional states to cultivate if we want to enjoy our journey in the healthiest and happiest way that we can. If we’re going to be here anyway, might as well enjoy it! So why not be happy? Why not stop and smell the flowers? Why not be loving and joyful as often as we possibly can? It makes our whole experience here so much richer, more vibrant and more enjoyable. 🙂