What’s a personal mantra or philosophy you live by?

View all responses

Hi everyone, how is your week starting off? I hope you are all feeling warm and cozy as the crisp October autumn sets in.

Unfortunately, I came down with the flu recently. While resting in bed, I came across a prompt about personal mantras and found myself reflecting deeply. I realized that, for a long time, I only allowed myself to rest without guilt when I was actually sick. Being forced to slow down made me wonder what has changed in my life since those days.

My perspective shifted because of a few personal mantras I have learned to live by.

1. Appreciate the present by valuing what I have right now and fully enjoying this current moment.
2. Focus on what I can control. I can shape my own mind, my reactions, and my decisions, so I refuse to waste time and energy on things outside my reach.
3. Choose to go with the flow. Life brings all kinds of experiences, and sometimes the best approach is to stop overthinking and let myself drift along the river of life freely.
4. Start my day with mindfulness. I take time in the morning to sit, meditate, and check in with my mind.
5. Practice self-kindness. Being kind to myself first gives me the capacity to show genuine warmth to others.
6. Embrace authenticity. I stay true to who I am because there is no point in trying to be anyone else.
7. Find beauty in imperfection. Striving for perfection only wears us down, while imperfection carries its own unique charm.

These mantras did not appear overnight. They grew out of my personal struggles with self-guilt, low self-esteem, and a lack of self-compassion. I spent years being my own harshest critic, always searching for answers outside of myself. But just like grounding our feet on the earth, the answers were right inside me all along. Simply giving ourselves space to pause and check in can bring meaningful clarity.

Nature offers us a gentle reminder of this balance. As humans, we are part of the natural world, yet we often forget how much peace, joy, and perspective it gives us through the shifting seasons, the vibrant colors, and the soft sounds around us. It amazes me how often we take our five senses for granted. Today, I want to use my senses to live mindfully and embrace the constant changes within myself and my life.

We brought home an orchid and had a month of witnessing her beauty and grace. We have been taking care of her by regularly changing her water and whispering gentle words of praise, and she has stayed vibrant for a whole month. Orchids have long been symbols of resilience, strength, and refined beauty. They offer proof that even the most delicate things can hold incredible strength.

Seeing her flourish reminds me that we are not so different from nature. When we give ourselves simple care, kind words, and clean energy, we can stay blooming even through life’s unexpected turns.

Like a plant that thrives with simple attention, we also need gentle nurturing to navigate changing seasons. Growth does not require perfection, just patience, grace, and a willingness to stay rooted in the present.

I hope you take a deep breath today, listen to what your body is telling you, and remember to be gentle with yourself as we step into this new season.