3 Mantras to Live By (for more happiness + peace)

You know what is one of the most important lessons that I’ve learned over the last few of years?

That it’s those small, seemingly insignificant changes that we make in our “everyday” life that can have the biggest impact. Things like the way you react to things. Things that you tell yourself, every single day.

Like daily mantras.

Mantras are words and phrases (or, sounds) that you repeat to yourself daily. You probably use them on regular basis, without even realizing it. Most of the time though, that form of self-talk has a negative undertone- like when you tell yourself that you’re not good enough, or that you’re stupid for making that one mistake.

 

Well, that’s one way of holding yourself back in life. When you keep chanting those “I’m-not-good-enoughs” in your head over and over again, eventually, you’ll believe it. One simple change, one daily mantra, can shift your focus and make you see yourself, as you’ve never seen yourself before.

Mantras are used a lot in prayer and meditation, but your religious or spiritual background doesn’t matter here. You already use them, whether you know it or not, so why not be conscious about them? Why not use mantras that will help you heal, love and introduce more peace, acceptance, and fun into your life?

MANTRAS TO LIVE BY (FOR MORE HAPPINESS + PEACE)

I AM RECEIVING RIGHT NOW

Whatever it is that you think you lack: inspiration, love, money, motivation, relationships, support, creativity, acceptance – tell yourself, every single day: I am receiving right now. Make this a daily habit. As you open your eyes in the morning, tell yourself: I am receiving right now. This is a powerful mantra that will help you develop that attitude of gratitude. When you tell yourself that you’re receiving, you’ll start looking. That’s when you notice things for the first time. You notice just how many wonderful things and people you’re surrounded with. Your friends, family, your health, your job, your favorite things- books, movies, places you love to visit.

We always want more. More money, more love, more fun experiences, more freedom, more “things.”

Thing is, you cannot expect to get more if you aren’t grateful for what you already have- this can make a huge difference in your life. Be grateful for all those things you sometimes take for granted- all the way down to running water. Realize, that you are receiving, right now. I, for example, even though I’ve considered myself to be a very grateful person, didn’t truly appreciate my health, until I got hurt. When things like walking, undressing or even sitting for longer than 30 minutes cause you pain, you think to yourself “wow, all these years, I’ve been taking my health for granted.” Even though I sometimes have days when I feel like crap, I always start my mornings with this mantra: I am receiving right now.

COMPARE NO MORE

I borrowed this one from Gabby. I know that comparison to others is something that we’re all guilty of, to some extent. It kills creativity and can create jealousy and resentment. It takes a conscious effort to free yourself of this habit. You look at someone and you think to yourself “I wish I could do that, too.” Alternatively, you judge them and tell yourself that you’re a much better person. So, on the one hand, you make yourself feel bad. On the other, you make yourself feel superior.

We see this happen on social media all the time. I recently came across a post from a very successful blogger who bought a new car and shared the news on Instagram. Majority of the people who commented took the energy to say things like “you should really try being more humble” or “no need to show off all the time“.  Some just looked at the picture without thinking much of it, and moved on with their day. Here’s a person who struggled in the past but chose not to give up and build a successful brand, why not use that as an inspiration? I mean, getting upset over things like these is a bit silly. Things are just things. Things do not and cannot make you happy.Not for too long, anyway.

BUT, if you do spend years working your butt off, going from living in a studio apartment to inspiring others and creating a huge, happy family and inspiring your community- is there really anything wrong with that? I believe, that when you see something special in someone else, something good or inspiring- it’s a reflection of you. Because, as you know, not everyone can notice those things. Some will use others as inspiration, some will give judgment and resentment.

The thing is, the comparison is unfair. By comparing yourself to others, you are denying yourself the right to be unique. Instead, try comparing yourself to your past self. Look for the things you’ve accomplished, things you’ve had to overcome. When you waste your time comparing your life, your journey and yourself to others, you stop paying attention to all those amazing things and people who you have in your life. You think that someone else might have it easier than you because they have more money, a better job, a supportive family, a loving partner or because they just got “lucky“- but all of us have some sort of struggles that we go through, even if we don’t choose to share them with the world.

LET GO

Let go of the past. Let go of the people who hold you back. Let go of your need to be perfect. Of anger and bitterness. It’s the only way to move on and feel less pain. There are so many things that we often cling to, things we refuse to let go of. Sometimes forgiving and letting go can be difficult, but the peace that comes with it is worth all the effort. Focus only on those things that you can change, let go of the rest and realize that you have a choice.

If you get easily annoyed by little things like someone cutting you off on the road, someone saying something stupid- you can let go of that, too. Don’t let those small things get to you. As you feel yourself getting upset over something small, think “I let go.”

I know that it’s easy to say “I can’t be happy because I didn’t have a happy childhood“, “I can’t be successful because I don’t deserve it“, “why should I put all this effort into this, if no one will notice anyway”. “I can’t move on from this“, “I’m too old“, “I can’t do this, it’s too late for me“.

I can’t.

I can’t.

I can’t.

I’m here to tell that yes, you can. It doesn’t matter what happened, or what is now happening in your life; you can move on, you can grow and you can be happy. But you first must realize that you need to let go of all those negative, limiting thoughts or past experiences that are holding you back.

It’s your responsibility to let go.

So, tomorrow morning, as you open your eyes, tell yourself “I am receiving, right now” over and over again. When you feel bad about something, when you feel lack of something- tell yourself “I am receiving, right now“. You might think that the idea of repeating something over and over again is a bit silly, especially when you’re telling yourself something you don’t really believe at first. But, you do tell yourself, at times, that you “can’t do this” or that you’re “not good enough” and that is silly, don’t you think?