We could all use a little positive encouragement sometimes. Whether we’re having a bad day because of traffic and deadlines or something more serious, it helps to have a little reminder of the good things in life. And one mindfulness guru has come to our rescue to provide just that. Gabrielle Bernstein, motivational speaker, life coach and zen friend of Oprah Winfrey, provides a whole slew of support in her new book, The Universe Has Your Back. The main message: Everything will work out as long as you believe in goodness and practice love. (Trust us, reading even just a few pages of the book will make you feel more at ease.)
One of the best things about Bernstein is her ability to provide calming quotes that snap you back into a healthy headspace. She’s a firm believer in the power of positive prayer and thankfully, she let us steal a few of her go-to, get-zen mantras.
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Repeat the passages below whenever you find yourself in a particularly stressful situation, say during a fight with your significant other or before a big meeting. To naturally fall back on positive affirmations, Bernstein suggests repeating one while you exercise (new motivational running mantra, perhaps?) or choose one to pop up on your screen when your morning alarm goes off. There’s nothing like starting your day with an optimistic outlook.
9 Positive Mantras from Gabrielle Bernstein
1. “My presence is my power.”
Feeling empowered is usually synonymous with feeling prepared to tackle anything that comes your way. Be more mindful of staying connected to your surroundings and living in the moment, rather than getting easily distracted by texts or other conversations. You’ll probably get more done and people around you will notice and appreciate your presence, too.
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2. “Energy flows where my attention and intention goes.”
What you choose to focus on (say, how much you enjoy working with your colleagues or how happy you are to get a workout in before work) is where you expend your energy. Choose to think about what you’re grateful for, rather than concentrating on the situations that could be going better. Also, set a goal for each day when you get up in the morning, so you keep working toward it.
3. “I am ready to learn through love.”
This one’s a perfect mantra to add to your phone alarm or bathroom mirror! Whenever you’re feeling frustrated or angry, come back to this saying and try meditating on it. It’s important to always lean toward joy, not pain or hardships, Bernstein explains.
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4. “I am responsible for what I see.”
We all pay more attention to certain situations more than others, but we can choose to switch the way we perceive hard times to a more positive light. Bernstein gives the example of a fight with your partner: Choose to see it as an opportunity to grow, rather than a reason to break up.
5. “My projection is my perception.”
Often times how you picture a situation panning out becomes the more likely outcome, especially if you base that end result on prior negative experiences. For instance, if you keep believing you won’t get a promotion or that you won’t find a date for an upcoming wedding, you’re likely to subconsciously push those things away. Shift your thoughts from what you’re afraid will happen toward what you really want to come true.
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6. “I step back and let the Universe lead the way.”
When you’re feeling chaotic, overwhelmed or distracted, close your eyes, take a deep breath and repeat these words. The best part about this: When you learn to just let life happen, you tend to have more fun living it.
7. “I welcome creative possibilities.”
This comes in handy when your original plan for the day, month or even the year gets re-routed. If something doesn’t work out, know that you may see potentially better opportunities pop up. Another good reminder from Bernstein: “Obstacles are detours in the right direction.”
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8. “Do I look through the eyes of love or judgement?”
First and foremost, try to get better at recognizing negative thoughts, especially about other people. If a friend or co-worker makes you upset, put yourself in his or her shoes. Bernstein mentions in her book that often times, we only judge people out of our own insecurities. Learn to recognize that and choose to see the better side of the story. It also helps to think of seeing someone for the first time, Bernstein says. Forget about any wrong they’ve done and approach the relationship from a new angle.
9. “As I think, I shall be.”
In other words, believe in yourself. Trust that things will work out in your favor, then work to make that happen. Happiness and confidence just might follow.