{"id":5381,"date":"2016-01-12T14:29:21","date_gmt":"2016-01-12T21:29:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.cloud9living.com\/blog\/?p=5381"},"modified":"2022-08-23T03:15:09","modified_gmt":"2022-08-23T09:15:09","slug":"positive-mantras-new-years-resolutions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.virgingifts.com\/blog\/positive-mantras-new-years-resolutions","title":{"rendered":"Positive Mantras to Live By for a \u2018New Year, New You\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

I\u2019m going to confess something that may ruffle some feathers. I did not make any New Year\u2019s resolutions.<\/em><\/p>\n

It\u2019s the truth. Here\u2019s why: I\u2019ve decided to go the route of mastering a few positive mantras this year instead. 2015 wasn\u2019t too shabby. It had some unforgettably great times. But alas, I\u2019m human and some pretty tough stuff also came with it.<\/p>\n

So in my humble attempt to journey down Reflection Road circa 2015 and turn the upcoming year around, I tried my darndest to compile a list of of delightful, magnificent, and adventure-packed New Year\u2019s resolutions. And what happened? That list grew. And grew. Annnd grew. Which honestly is a truly wonderful tribute to how much epic stuff life has to offer, despite its hiccups.<\/p>\n

But this infinite list also pointed to a pertinent resolution rule of thumb to increase the chance for success: make \u2018em manageable<\/em>. So I trashed my traditional resolution-making entirely, and put a new spin on my ambitions.<\/p>\n

As the annual ball-drop countdown hit, I took to the dance floor with my friends in eager anticipation of confetti, balloons, noise-makers, and 2016. I stood happy, hopeful and confident in my high-heels \u2014 without a single tangible<\/em> resolution.<\/p>\n

\"personal(Right about now, you\u2019re probably thinking that is the<\/em> most pathetic conclusion to these ruminations. But stick with me!)<\/p>\n

Instead, I resolved to greet the new year without a list of \u201cthings to do<\/em>\u201d this year (necessarily), but rather a list of \u201cthings to live by<\/em>\u201d \u2014 positive mantras for daily doses of awesome.<\/p>\n

And I have high hopes that these happy thoughts will<\/em> gradually cultivate a remarkable list of \u201cthings I\u2019ve done<\/em>\u201d in these next three-hundred-and-some days. (I don\u2019t know about you, but I\u2019ve found that I\u2019m naturally more outgoing, ambitious and full of vim \u2018n\u2019 vigor when my outlook is on-point.)<\/p>\n

It\u2019s been said that \u201cone small, positive thought in the morning can change your whole day.\u201d I figure why not try to see what a few positive thoughts can do for an entire year<\/em>?!<\/p>\n

Challenge accepted.<\/p>\n

Now I\u2019m not saying that this is the<\/em> staple strategy for all members of the human race, when it comes to life-changing goals and objectives.<\/p>\n

\"plot-twists\"But speaking for myself, 2015 was a doozy. So 2016 beckons a BIG hit of the reset button. This typically doesn\u2019t happen overnight or by simply crossing activities off a list. Real growth and change comes with consistent practice of a certain mindset (or personal mantra, if you will). Particularly if the results are to last. And especially if they are to thrive<\/em> through life\u2019s tougher stuff.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve been with y\u2019all on this spinning spaceball long enough to learn (often the hard way) that bumps in the road are not always setbacks (despite the dire straits we feel in the moment, oy vey!<\/em>).<\/p>\n

More often than not, they\u2019re opportunities to suck the marrow out of life\u2019s wild plots (kudos Thoreau)\u2026 To try something new, to begin fresh, to give something the chance of different ending, to feel so deeply it seems unreal, or to otherwise be a pivotal part of a seriously amazing story.<\/p>\n

Yours.<\/em><\/p>\n

But you must show up for it. You must say yes <\/em>to the storyline and see it through. Am I right?<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s put it into perspective. Say you plan to travel to a beautiful destination. Sure, you can take a private jet, arriving much faster and with presumably fewer \u2018events\u2019 along the way. The alternative is a winding roadtrip and\/or connecting economy flights. Oh yes, this latter option will undoubtedly have its ups and downs, which (truth be told) may downright suck<\/em> in the moment. But you are guaranteed to get to your b-e-a-utiful<\/em> spot having embarked on a journey full of twists, turns and incredible tales that will stick in your head and heart for years to come. Capisce?<\/em><\/p>\n

That said, perhaps I do have a resolution (albeit intangible) after all: to live out loud(er)<\/em>. To embrace the storyline and plot twists \u2014 and not just get through<\/em> them, but to live all the more vibrantly and passionately because<\/em> of them.<\/p>\n

\"live-out-louder\"Of course, accepting life\u2019s crazy curve balls is much easier said than done. So sometimes the secret is in the baby steps\u2026 personal mantras to live by on a daily basis, to keep positive enrichment in perspective during this 2016 adventure.<\/p>\n

By this time next year, I may not have an annual, concrete \u2018bucket list\u2019<\/a><\/strong> completed per se. But I\u2019m certain that these small but mighty positive mantras will lead to big, unique adventures.<\/p>\n

If you missed the boat when it came time to make your New Year\u2019s resolutions, why not try hopping aboard this one? Feel free to use the mantras below (or \u2018motivational morsels,\u2019 as I like to call them) as inspiration to get started.<\/p>\n

Then create some personal mantras of your own as you go, and see where 2016 takes you.<\/p>\n

Cheers to a bold year full of new adventures, friends!<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"om\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

WALK<\/strong> more, drive less.
\nMore TEA<\/strong>, less caffeine.
\nTALK<\/strong> more, text less.
\nMore QUALITY TIME<\/strong>, less phone time.
\nGIVE<\/strong> more, take less.
\nMore BOOKS<\/strong>, less screens.
\nMOVE<\/strong> more, sit less.
\nMore MEMORIES<\/strong>, less monotony.
\nMore OUTSIDE<\/strong>, less indoors.
\nAPPRECIATE<\/strong> more, complain less.
\nMore ARTSY<\/strong>, less artificial.
\nFORGIVE<\/strong> more, fret less.
\nMore SPONTANEOUS<\/strong>, less stagnant.
\nRELAX<\/strong> more, rush less.
\nMore SELFLESS<\/strong>, less selfish.
\nMore EXTRAORDINARY<\/strong>, less ordinary.<\/p>\n

\"om\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

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