mantra: (n): a sacred utterance believed to possess mystical or spiritual power, may be spoken aloud or uttered in thought

Dear Universe,

We’ve all heard it or said it multiple times in our lives: “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say it at all.” 

We all know how powerful words can be.  They can be damaging and destroy or they can be positive and life transforming.

Usually, we are pretty adept at choosing our words with coworkers, loved ones, children, friends, acquaintances, and even strangers.

The one person we tend not to censor ourselves with is well… our self.

When it comes to ourselves we can often be irrationally harsh, difficult, discouraging and downright mean.  We sometimes repeat horrible notions—that we would never dare tell anyone else—so much that we start to believe them.

They can range from not being good enough for a job to not deserving a caring relationship to feeling unattractive, unloved and unappreciated.

We convince ourselves of the most atrocious untruths daily.

And even when we are wise enough to catch ourselves doing this, it takes an enormous effort to hit stop, rewind and redo.  Somehow, repeat, repeat, repeat comes more naturally.

Months ago, I watched a DVD called “You Can Heal Your Life.”  In it, metaphysical guru Louise L. Hay speaks of the power of a positive mantra.  She believes, as do thousands of others, that choosing positive phrases to repeat can lead to miracles.

Ever since watching, I have found myself choosing my mantras more carefully—because it is a choice, one we have control over.

You can repeat them in your head, out loud, in front of a mirror.  The point is to say it so much you believe it with every fiber of your being.

Shortly after watching the DVD, my best friend gave me a book for my birthday.  It is by one of my favorite author/psychics, Sonia Choquette.  The book, Grace, Guidance and Gifts: Sacred Blessings to Light Your Way, encourages you to open at random (or maybe the Universe’s divine choice) to a page a day.  On the page is a prayer and a short mantra to keep with you for the day.  Love it.  Somehow whatever page I open to feels perfectly chosen.

Then the other day, this same friend gave me this bracelet as a gift.  On it the phrase, “Change your thoughts and you change your world” is scrolled repeatedly.

It was a good reminder to keep up the practice of choosing my words carefully.

It was funny timing because just last week I was reading an article online that offered up a mantra I wanted to adopt into my mix:  “I let go of fear and see my dream near.”

I like it.  That’s a great phrase to repeat whenever you are questioning a decision or doubting what the future, or even the day, holds.

But maybe your mantra needs to be, “I believe in my own power” or “I am healthy and healed” or “There is no deadline for a dream” (thank you to a friend for this) or “I am grateful for another day” or “I feel love all around me” or “I trust that things are exactly as they should be” (I use that one a lot).

Maybe you have several mantras to use throughout the day (I do).  Maybe the mantra changes regularly (mine do).  The point is, every time you find yourself dwelling in a negative thought, do your best to hit stop, rewind and then redo it.  Switch the thought to a positive one instead.

It may take a while to believe it—especially if the old phrase is one you’ve been using for a long time—but eventually it will start to feel like it fits.  You’ll start to believe what you are saying.

And that?  That may just change your day around.  Or yes, it might even heal your life.

Because whether you realize it or not, your thoughts and words are the foundation to the future life you are creating.

So go ahead and try it.  You’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain.

What will your mantra be?

Much Gratitude,

A