Wha is a Mantra?
Mantras are powerful statements that are commonly used in meditative practices. They can provide influence and inspiration to help us through difficult times. In this post, I will be talking about a few mantras that can be helpful and provide words of motivation for those who need it. I know many people may feel silly repeating statements in the mirror or even trying this for the first time, yet we do it all the time. For example, how many times have we told ourselves to calm down or attempted to remain “positive” in the face of adversity? Well, mantras are similar and can provide the same effect, however, they possess a more philosophical and meditative stance. These statements often hold power in the fact that they ground us and provide a reframe[1] to our negative thoughts. They can also function as a philosophical statement to live by. Many people chose mantras such as “do good for others” as a guideline for how they live their lives. So, the next time you feel your anxiety, depression, or you’re just having a difficult moment, try one of these statements, they may feel odd to use at first, however, as with all things, it requires practice before we can reap the benefits.
“Let Go and Let it Be”
This statement is a powerful phrase that motivates us to release whatever we are holding on to. It gives us permission to move on and focus on other important aspects of our lives. Now, this is different than “getting over it” because in this statement we are not forgetting, [G2] rather we are allowing ourselves to accept, acknowledge, and validating the feelings associated. There can be a lot of emotions associated with giving up control of things that are important to us such as anger, sadness, frustration, confusion, etc. Yet, realizing that we don’t always have to carry everything can provide us with solace and allow us to release the pressure or pain of forcing things in a direction that is not emotionally healthy for us.
“I am strong in more ways than one. I have the strength within me”
How many times have we cast self-doubt on ourselves only to realize that we are stronger than we think? Often, however, this requires a little reminder. Telling ourselves that we are strong can provide motivation for those difficult experiences we all go through. It’s important for us to look internally and let our strength flourish. Being strong also means allowing ourselves to be vulnerable and does not necessarily mean that we don’t show emotion. On the contrary, showing emotions and being able to process situations is part of healthy coping and takes a lot of strength.[G3]
“I am good enough, not perfect, but still beautiful”
Self-love is important and creates a framework for how we treat ourselves and others. It’s important for us to remind ourselves that we are all worthy of love and deserve respect. What better way to show this than to practice it with ourselves on the daily? This statement is powerful because it allows us to find beauty in ourselves and acknowledge that we are not perfect. Life is a journey and it’s a lot more enjoyable when we value ourselves enough to be happy.
“The grass is always greener on the other side, this means that I need to care for my side and make it green”
Many of us have found ourselves often scrolling through social media like Facebook or Instagram aimlessly observing others and their lives. We get so consumed by how much we don’t have that we lose focus of what is present. We even begin to think that life would be better on the other side where the grass is greener. Yet, we don’t realize that these feelings are a blessing in disguise. They give us an indication that something is making us unhappy, that we may need to re-evaluate where we are in life. It lets us take inventory of our needs and provides an opportunity for new beginnings. This statement gives us power rather than taking it away and feeling jealous, angry, tired, etc.
Part of our strength lies in our ability to be confident, reassure ourselves, and acknowledge our abilities. These are just a few mantras you can use to help in your pursuit of happiness. We hope these inspire you to create your own unique philosophy as well. It is important to remember that we have to think of our mental health the same way we do our physical. Mental health also requires exercise and practice. Finding ways to increase wellness and have emotional balance takes patience, love, and our willingness to open ourselves up.
[1] Technique used in mental health to change the way we view or perceive a situation, person, or relationship by changing the meaning. Also called Cognitive reframing.Cover Photo by Natalie Grainger on Unsplash
Luis is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist who graduated from Long Beach State University with a Masters degree in Counseling Psychology (2015). He also has a Bachelors's degree in Child and Adolescent Development with an emphasis on Public Policy from San Francisco State University (2011). Luis has over 9 years of experience working with children and families both in education and mental health. Previously, Luis worked for a non-profit agency in San Francisco, CA providing mental health consultation in early head start programs and SFUSD pre-schools. Currently, Luis works at Kaiser in San Francisco providing mental health services.
His therapeutic interests include working with Trauma, the LGBTQ community, Children, Families, Couples, and POC. His personal interests include; Films, Reading, Writing, Art, Travelling, Disney, and Food. He is also a recipient of the California State Stipend award (2015). PsychoSocial is part of Luis' dedication to mental health and an example of his passion to educate others. Luis hopes that through PsychoSocial he will be able to help in the fight to end the stigma around mental illness.
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