What’s Your Mantra? “I am…”x 108

What’s your mantra? You are always your own best friend.

Anyone who knows me or watches my YouTube channels knows I rarely get my hair or nails done ;-) But when I do, I always notice people study themselves in the mirror to find imperfections before they leave. “Mistakes” to be fixed. Hey, don’t get me wrong, you paid for a service and want it to be just right but what about the good stuff?

This is an analogy to everyday life when we look in the mirror every morning or get dressed for work. Always checking in the mirror to make ourselves feel and look our best. Nothing wrong with that. BUT, what are you telling yourself in your mind? Are you saying:

“Ugh, you look fat.”

“What are you thinking in those shoes?"

“ hmmmm, do I really need Botox or fillers?"

“ Omg! Your hair is thinning. Are those wrinkles. You look so tired and worn out. How could you even go out like that. Why are you even trying.”

I know those statements may sound crazy, but I hear them all day long. People are always self-criticizing because that’s what the media and world has pushed us to always compare and not feel good enough, so we continue to purchase beauty enhancing products. If someone else said those above statements to you every day, would you want to be that persons friend? I don’t think so. So why do you let yourself constantly do this on a daily basis?

When I was in my YogaFIT teacher training during one of my favorite electives, Mindfulness and Meditation, we created mantras for our self. I am..... every morning since I tell myself the good qualities in myself and usually none of those I. My mantras cannot be seen with the physical eye. They are concrete affirmations that I find within myself and then they become my truth throughout the day.

This was my Moon Mantra for the day...

"I am strong. I am patient.

I am kind. I am gentle.

I am sweet. I have a

givers heart and an

adventurers spirit.”

There are different apps and websites that can download to receive daily mantra or you can purchase a Mala and saying your intentions 108 times is a tradition in Yoga Journal provides a simple how-to:

• Choose a spot and sit comfortably with your spine straight and your eyes closed. Take a few deep breaths to center and align yourself with your intention.

• If you have one, use a mantra for this practice, chanting aloud or silently.

• Hold your mala in your right hand, draped between your middle and index fingers. Starting at the guru bead, use your thumb to count each smaller bead, pulling it toward you as you recite your mantra. Do this 108 times, traveling around the mala, until you once again reach the guru bead.

• If you want to continue the meditation, instead of passing over the guru bead, simply reverse direction and begin again.

What’s your mantra? Love yourself! Be your own best friend. Smile every day for at least five seconds as big and ridiculous as possible. Then maybe let out a burst of laughter- it may be followed by a cry, you never know but love yourself unconditionally.

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