When everything is going well, it is easy to display inner strength. The important thing is to maintain that integrity of spirit when things go wrong and adversity knocks on our door. When we lose a loved one, occurs a health problem or appear cracks in the relationship, we need to resort to our psychological resources so as not to fall apart and try not to hit bottom emotionally.
In those difficult moments, our thinking can become our best ally or our worst enemy. If we give free rein to our inner dialogue, it is likely that it will take catastrophic courses and paint a pessimistic picture before us that will sink us even more. On the other hand, if we try to make that voice in our head more positive and give us strength instead of taking it away, we will be better able to cope with problems.
Mantras to strengthen the mind
Mantras are literally a “mental tool” or “instrument of thought” that serves to free the mind of tensions and attachments. They are generally a combination of transcendental sounds that serve to stop the habitual flow of thoughts and concerns. Thus they help us to clarify our vision and facilitate a state of calm. However, to harness its power it is not necessary to repeat the famous “Om”. We can create our own personal mantra that gives us the strength, energy, and motivation we need in our darkest moments.
1. I have everything I need to overcome this situation
Thinking in terms of “I can’t do it” or “life isn’t fair” will only steal your energy and make you feel bad. Instead, you need to remind yourself that you have the psychological resources to deal with adversity. This is not about lying to yourself, but about propping up the confidence that, whatever happens, you will be able to get out of it.
2. I am much stronger than I think
Sometimes life can put you on the ropes, to the point of making you think “I will never recover from this” or “I will never be happy again.” Obviously, that kind of thinking only serves to aggravate suffering. However, often adversity becomes a teacher of life to show you that you are much stronger than you thought and allows you to bring to light a hidden inner energy that you did not even suspect you had.
3. Failure is part of the road to success
Failure is not fun or pleasant, there is no doubt. However, beating yourself up for what you’ve done wrong and sitting crying over spilled milk doesn’t help much. Instead, you may think that every time you make a mistake, you are learning something and it is an opportunity to get out of your comfort zone. Every failure, however painful or frustrating, brings you closer to your goals. Every unsuccessful path actually brings you closer to the right path.
4. It is not as important as it seems
When adversity hits you hard, it’s easy to lose perspective. You only see the gray horizon that outlines before your eyes sadness or frustration. However, will that incident really still be that painful or important 5 or 10 years from now? Probably not. Most of the decisions that seem crucial or the concerns that weigh you down now will lose relevance over time. This mind-strengthening mantra allows you to project yourself into the future to reduce the emotional impact of what is happening to you in the present.
5. I have fallen before and I have risen
When you’re in a downward loop of pain, it’s hard to look the other way. However, remembering all the times when you have fallen and got back up will give you the energy you need to get through that difficult time. Remembering your strength in dealing with past problems can help you face current difficulties with greater confidence and serenity. Therefore, sometimes it is worth looking back for that forgotten inner strength.
6. I promise to do my best
Demanding perfection from yourself usually does more harm than good. In life, it is important that you are aware that there are many factors beyond your control. You can only control what depends directly from you. Therefore, this mind-strengthening mantra reminds you that you need to treat yourself with compassion and kindness, committing to give your best, but remaining open to all possible results. It’s just about doing your best.
7. I control my thoughts and decisions
Blaming the others for what happens to you will not help you solve the problem, on the contrary, it will plunge you into a loop of complaints that leads to absolute paralysis. There are many things that you cannot control, but you have control over your thoughts and the decisions you make. And sometimes that is more than enough as it gives you back the feeling of empowerment you need to face adversity and believe in yourself again.
Of course, these mantras to strengthen the mind and spirit will not change your life or make adversity melt away, but they will help you navigate those troubled waters with greater mental strength and preserving your emotional balance, so that you can recover as soon as possible.