I’m not religious, but I do think it’s good to have certain guidelines, values and principles to help make decisions in life. These are the 5 mantras I have always considered most important for me:
1. ‘Treat others how you would like to be treated.’
I remember in Year 2 of primary school, we had a lovely teacher who would read us books about different ‘morals’ each week. One of the books was called ‘Treat others how you would like to be treated’, and that phrase has stuck with me ever since.
I am constantly putting myself in other peoples’ shoes before I act or speak, and I can’t imagine going through life without thinking this way. “Don’t do unto others what you don’t want others to do unto you.”
This is the ultimate harmony principle, and if everyone thought this way, imagine what a place the world would be.
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2. ‘Life is a dream.’
An ancient Chinese philosopher named Zhuangzi wrote a book in which he discusses his dreams of being a butterfly. After his dream, he wakes up; himself again. He writes “Now I do not know if it was then I dreamt I was a butterfly, or whether I am now a butterfly dreaming I am a man.”
I’ve always been interested in Chinese philosophy, as my dad has a deep interest in the culture and always kept Chinese books around the house. I love the idea that what we are living now is just a dream and that some day our true selves will wake up or have another dream. It fits in with some of my beliefs about past lives and reincarnation, and I like this premise so much I had it tattooed on my back in traditional cursive Chinese calligraphy.
3. ‘Be the change you want to see in the world.’
If you don’t like something, change it. If you want something, go after it. Ask questions but don’t take the first answer you’re given; find a better one.
I’d love to do something in my lifetime that makes a difference to issues in the world today. If everyone had that same goal to make a difference, then eventually something really substantial could change.
[Tweet “Ask questions but don’t take the first answer you’re given; find a better one.”]
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4. ‘The thing about time is that it passes.’
This is something my mum has always told me (in those exact words), and I suppose it could be seen as a variation of ‘This too shall pass’. It has helped me through so many difficult, unpleasant situations, from exams to job interviews, dentist appointments, and going weeks without seeing N while at uni.
Reminding yourself that ‘It’s just two hours of my day; in three hours it’ll be over’ or ‘It’s three weeks of a whole year; it’ll be gone before I know it’, is infinitely calming, and helps with patience, anxiety and stress.
It also helps to make you aware and appreciate the positive moments in life.
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5. ‘Make your life a story worth reading.’
Though my mum has never actually said this, this mantra is definitely inspired by her. She’s had so many different experiences in her life (some amazing, some not so good), and I’m certain her stories would make an excellent biography one day. I keep encouraging her to write one.
I hope that when I’m older, the life I have lived will have been so interesting that if I, or anyone else, were to write a book about me, people around the world would enjoy reading it and be inspired by it.
[Tweet “Do unexpected things. Make your life a story worth reading.”]
With that in mind, I try to keep things interesting. Do things that are unexpected, different from the norm, and that would keep people turning the pages if they were reading a chapter of my biography.
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What mantras do you live by?
This is a beautiful post and some beautiful thoughts :)
I struggle with the 4th one sometimes, getting fixated and panicked but it’s so important to rememeber that time will pass!
Lovely thoughts for the weekend ahead
Abel x
Thank you :)
The 4th quote has got me through so many intense situations; but it is particularly difficult when you know a certain struggle will last indefinitely. Then it is hard to imagine yourself on the other side of it, but it’s good to remember that somehow we always get through :)
Have a great weekend! x
Make your life a story worth reading – I love that! A mantra which I live by is ‘do what you love’. Life is empty otherwise.
Yes that is a great one! I definitely should have included that. I have really started to see the importance of that over the past few weeks. x
My favourite one is ‘make your life a story worth reading’ ^.^ It’s so perfect.
Most of those mantras you’ve listed are ones my family often chant and I’m happy to say I’ve grown up with the same values – it makes for a truly peaceful and harmonious life :)
I always like to think of life as chapters in a book. Sometimes a chapter ends – and that’s okay. we can always look back at it, but it’s exciting to keep moving forward and find where our story is going ^.^
I love posts about thoughts ♥ Happy Friday
Sarah xxo | thesaltyseablog.blogspot.co.uk
Yes, that is so true! One day all those chapters will make up the most awesome book :)
Have a great weekend! x
This is such a brilliant post – I think I might have to start using some of these. One of the one’s I always live by is actually taken from Zombieland (not the most spiritual source haha) which is ‘enjoy the little things’. Something as simple as a hug or ‘I love you’ usually passes you by but I always make sure to appreciate these little things.
Liv | http://www.maidenincornwall.co.uk
Zombieland is a great film – no judgement! Haha. That’s a great one as well; there are so many I missed off this list! I must say I’m rather crap at enjoying the little things…must try harder! x
LOVE all of these! Totally love the tattoo as well :) I just had a past life therapy session this week! V interesting ! x
Oh wow really?? This is something I have always wanted to try. I have read so many books about hypnosis and past life regression (mainly by Dr Brian Weiss – they’re incredibly eye-opening), and having a session is definitely on my bucket list.
Although I believe firmly in reincarnation & past lives, I am very skeptical about the hypnosis therapy. I really want to believe it’s all real, but I just can’t imagine having it done to me, as I have never been hypnotised and I don’t know if it’s possible for me.
I would love to know about your experience! x
Beautiful quotes. <3
http://www.lemontierres.com
Thank you! :) x
Lovely posts and all important ways to live life. Although most of these I have heard of in some variation or another, the quote from Zhuangzi is not one that I have heard of before but definitely an interesting concept. I guess that most of these kind of “life quotes” can sound rather general, simple, or cliche but they are exactly that because they ARE so pure and true – I try to live by the mentality that I want to live with intention and to always try to live in the moment. You can only really start to live when you realize that one day you will die. This helps me try to make every moment count and not waste time on trivial things that, in the long run, really do not matter.
Rae | love from berlin
Yes, that’s a great one! Living with intention is something I’ve only read about recently, but it seems to make sense when you consider all of the happiest societies in the world and how they think and approach life. x
Oooh, I love that last one – lovely! These are beautiful quotations. Mine would be that you become whatever you see. Look at a mountain you become a mountain, watch a horror movie and you become part of the horror.
Awh that’s a really nice thought! Though obviously has its dark sides too. That is definitely one I will keep in mind, as I’m sure being aware of it from time to time can only be a good thing! x