Why is it so easy to forget our goals – exercising for health, meditating for peace of mind or eating healthy foods? Distraction and coping with the immediate problems of day-to-day life tend to take the forefront of our brains rather than the important and life-altering habits. What can you do when you find yourself in this loop of immobility?
Have a motto or mantra on hand to link you to your deeper goals. Like a cup of coffee or a quick jolt of caffeine, a motto can lift you from the mental doldrums into a state of action. It is your own deeper commitment: a mental guide to direct your decisions in life. A few mere words can be the motivational coach that pushes you to achieve your best in life.
So, you have chosen to have your own personal life motto, but how do you know what fits you? What will push you to make the best decisions? No person responds to the same mottos or mantras, so you have to make sure that yours actually motivates you. Need Ideas? We at VALLEY are here to help.
“Yolo — You Only Live Once”
This may be one of the most common mantras or mottos to exist in our culture today. Rather than inspiring the individual to work out or better themselves, it instructs one to go out and live their life regardless of consequences they may face in the future. If you are struggling with living in the past or future, this motto may motivate you to start seeing the present moment. Take risks. Have fun. You may not live to see tomorrow, so do what you want today.
“Everything Happens For a Reason”
This is another common mantra across Penn State’s campus. Rather than encouraging one to action, this motto tends to alleviate any ill feelings of sadness, guilt, or abandonment. Let’s say that you didn’t get the grade you wanted on an exam, or your boyfriend broke up with you. This quote tells you that better things are coming as a result of the past. In life, one thing leads to another: a positive butterfly effect.
“Be Comfortable With Being Uncomfortable” and “Experience Everything”
Do you usually stay within the bubble of your comfort level? Do you rarely venture out and try new things? These mottos are meant to push you to do it all. You may begin exercising, though you are afraid, or you try that new healthy food that you think you won’t like. Life is hard work, but it can also be fun. Like yolo, these quotes encourage new experiences, but it is more grounded. Yes, there are consequences if you negate the difficult aspects of your life, so do it all.
“Only Put Time Into Things that Fill Your Cup”
This is a personal mantra. Have you ever found that certain things or certain people require more energy than others? Sometimes two things that are seemingly similar in work are completely mentally exhausting. This motto reminds you to only put time and energy into people and things that uplift you or make you feel good about yourself. Take exercise for example. Cardio activities such as running may make you feel like exercise is a chore, but you find that yoga and pilates make you energized and excited for a workout. So, rather than force yourself to go on a run, choose a yoga session.
Do you have any life mottos? Tweet or tag us @VALLEYmag with your favorite quotes that inspire your life.
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