I am always searching for new and interesting ways to keep myself calm and happy. I know that so many people are either stressed over jobs, school, relationships or life in general. Here are a couple of mantras that I swear by that usually help me get through the day.


 

Relationships:

Whenever I have found myself worrying over a boyfriend, our hardships or wondering if things were going to work out, I say this to myself:

Relationships are like sand held in your hand: hold loosely with an open hand, and the sand remains where it is. Hold onto too tight and the sand trickles through your fingers.

This mantra helps me understand that there is nothing or no one you can hold onto and make your own. You don’t own anyone and they don’t own you. Be happy and live in the moment, while understanding that you have no clue what the future holds.
 

What to do with my life:

Many of times I find myself overwhelmed with all of the things I want to do with my life. Sometimes it feels like I have so little time to do everything I want. Other times, I just don’t know where to begin. When in doubt, I always tell myself:

When in doubt, just take the next right step.

As simple as it sounds, this can be applied to any issue in life. For example, when I was looking into getting my foot in the door of Magazine, I had no clue how to begin. So I started researching my field. What I learned was that I need my own personal blog. So I set up a small blog called Fabulously Focused. Then I chose one topic to write about each week, and remained consistent. Next, I needed an internship. So I found a convention for my field, attended and networked by butt off. I met a lady at MSNBC who introduced me to Bobbie Thomas. Then, I interviewed and got the internship. From there I have pretty much worked my way up to an awesome internship I will start Monday with Ebony Magazine. See, I just found myself doing the next right step- nothing too major or draining. But I did them with passion and focus.

 

Overcoming Jealousy or Envy of others:

We all at some point compare our lives to other peoples. We think, “ her life is better”, “her job is better”, “ her family has more money’, and so on and so forth. But we have no clue what other people are going through. Whenever I find myself comparing my life to someone else, I say this:

Don’t compare your life to others, you have no idea what their journey is all about.

And this is true, we never understand why we got dealt the cards we did and others didn’t. but its not our jobs  to. Accept your journey in life, because it’s your story. No one else will have your unique qualities, which will make your journey that more interesting.
 

Getting through a tough time in life:

When we are going through something bad, we always think it will last forever.  But what we fail to understand is that everything in life is temporary- good and bad. And that’s okay. When you feel stuck that something is taking over your life remember this:

No matter how good or bad a situation is, it will change.

This is entirely so true. Nothing ever remains the same, accept that with gratitude. Good and bad times will come and go all throughout your life. It’s apart of the cycle. Enjoy the ride.

Complaining about our problems:

Too many times we think we are going through the worst out of anyone else. When you feel this way, remember this:

If we all threw our problems in a pile and got a look at everyone else’s, we’d fight to get back our own.

 

Your self-image:

It’s hard being a teenager or young woman in this day and age. We care so much about what people think of us, whether we admit it or not. It takes a while for us to become unaffected by others opinions. But I always remember this:

What other people think about me is none of my business.

Plain and to the point. I have too much going for myself to worry about what the next person thinks of me. If you don’t like me, keep it moving.

 

The rough rollercoaster we call life:

Life is hard at times. It consists of so many ups and downs. Whenever I want to give up or get frustrated with life, I always say to myself:

Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift.

Recently one of my college friends passed away. He was killed in a car accident. As sad as it has been, his death has taught me that no matter how bad things can get, I am still breathing. I am alive. I have one more day to be the best person I can be, to love, to live and to make the most out of my day. Dwell in that mindset and enjoy the moment. No one is promised tomorrow.