Looking for a mantra to anchor your day? Here are 28 daily mantras in this Table of Contents.

Introduction to the Series 

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Day 1: Just show up
Never underestimate the power of your presence. Telling yourself to “just show up” can give you enough courage to put your body where it needs to be.

Day 2: Even this will change 
Don’t get too settled here with the way things are, whether good or bad. Even this will change.

Day 3: See Everything. Forgive Much. Judge Little. 
Everyone deserves to be seen, and to be given grace, because none of us knows the other’s full story. 

Day 4: That’s interesting. Tell me more. 
When you get stuck in a conversation, practice saying, “That’s interesting. Tell me more.”

Day 5: Bad things happen to everyone. So do good things. 
Do you think bad things happen only to you? They happen to everyone. But so do good things.

Day 6: I don’t know
Unless we can say “I don’t know” more often, we may never know. There’s always more we don’t know than what we do know.

Day 7: Empathize with the hurt 
Empathize with the hurt that needs healing. Sometimes that’s what matters most.

Day 8: Tell something personal 
Sharing something personal can foster humility and bring us closer together.

Day 9: It is what it is 
Accepting “it is what it is” can better position us to receive healing and to grow forward. 

Day 10: Is it true? Is it helpful? Is it kind? 
Do your words pass this test: true, helpful, kind? Without these, your words may just be noise.

Day 11: Take one step 
Sometimes taking just one step is enough for now. What one step can you take today?

Day 12: Presume goodwill 
When possible, give each other the benefit of the doubt. Presume goodwill. It’s better for everyone.

Day 13: Focus on the highest good 
What is your ultimate goal for today? Focus on the highest good, not just the practical surface goal.

Day 14: You don’t have to finish today 
Give yourself permission to stop for the day if your project isn’t time-sensitive. You don’t have to finish today.

Day 15: Oh, well. So what? 
Do we have to take everything so seriously? Maybe we should say more often, “Oh, well. So what?”

Day 16: Make the memories good 
Today’s experiences become tomorrow’s memories. As much as it depends on you, make the memories good.

Day 17: Don’t believe everything you think 
Listen to what you say to yourself. But don’t believe everything you think.

Day 18: This is not the end
Life never truly ends. It just changes into something else. This is not the end.

Day 19: You are never alone
The presence of another person (and of God) is a true gift. You are never alone.

Day 20: The greatest of these is love 
Faith and hope are things within us. But love is something we give outside us. The greatest of these is love.

Day 21: Say yes to this moment 
The small individual moments are actually the biggest moments of all. Say yes to this moment.

Day 22: Love matters more
Love no matter where. Love no matter how. Love no matter what. Love matters more.

Day 23: Whatever happens, we’ll handle it
We’ll never be abandoned without resources of some sort. Depend on that. Whatever happens, we’ll handle it.

Day 24: They don’t have to understand
We will be misunderstood. If we let it, it can be an opportunity to grow in humility. They don’t have to understand.

Day 25: Why do you ask?
Instead of giving an answer, sometimes the best response to a question is: “Why do you ask?”

Day 26: Let go or be dragged   
Learn when it’s time to release. Learn what it’s time to release. 

Day 27: End well 
If you want to make the memory good, aim to end well.

Day 28: This. Here. Now. 
It’s good to use our imaginations. But it’s also important to stay grounded in this, here, now.

READ MORE SERIES:

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• 20 Ways to Practice the Enneagram
• 28 Days of Practicing Hope
• Tools to Memorize a Bible Chapter
• 31 Quotes of Grace {+ free pdf}
• 31 Days of Books
• 31 Days of Grace 

This is a statement I like to repeat to myself:

Whatever happens, we’ll handle it.

The whatever moments in life are unpredictable. There’s no way to adequately prepare for all the unknowns.

But regardless of our shifting situations, we’re never completely helpless. In most any situation, we can still: 

• hold onto our values
• work on our character
• nurture our relationships

so that whenever the whatever hits, we’re as prepared as possible, even if that preparation qualifies only as barely.

And even if our handling it is a barely adequate description of what we’re doing.

Handling it doesn’t mean we find it’s easy. Or that it’s not painful. Or that it will go away quickly. There are some things we have to handle for a lifetime. 

But handling it does mean we get through it, one day at a time, maybe one hour at a time. 

And the “we” in “Whatever happens, we’ll handle it“?

Sometimes the we may be just me and my thoughts.

But usually there are more. Almost always there is at least one or maybe many more people to also help us through.

Those we may vary from season to season. They may include immediate family or wise friends or health care workers or online support or sometimes even a complete stranger we meet once and never see again.

Yet regardless of whoever and whatever our support network looks like, we’re never totally alone with no resources.

So I continue depending on this: 

Whatever happens, we’ll handle it.

Share in the comments.

This is #23 of the series: Find Your Mantra {28 Daily Mantras}

revised from the archives

Previous:
“Love matters more” {Mantra 22}

Next:
“They don’t have to understand” {Mantra 24}

I’ve saved this mantra for last. It’s the one that’s helped me the most in reducing anxiety.

When I feel anxious, I jump too far ahead of God. I worry about many things that might happen (and they’re usually all negative).

Instead, to counter the future orientation, I try to come back to this moment, where God is most present.

I benefit by repeating this to myself:

This. Here. Now.

This—This is the what.

Most of our moments are NOT tumultuous ones. And when they are, those events keep our attention focused in the moment; we don’t have to be concerned with those. But the moments that do tempt our minds to wander into worry are the ordinary moments. Come back from the future (or the past) and stay anchored in THIS moment instead.

Here—Here is the where.

We also are prone to imagine how wonderful we’d feel if we could be at the beach right now. Or how terrified we might feel next week in the dentist’s chair. But even if we’re in a bad location here in this moment, we’re more apt to stay clear-headed if we’ll stay present to it.

Now—Now is the when.

This is the crux of the mantra for me. Now is when I can talk to the person beside me. Now is when I can concentrate on this step I’m on. Now is when I can feel the emotion I’m feeling and process through it. 

Jesus—Jesus is the who.

And if you’re a Christian believer like me, I start this mantra with “Jesus. This. Here. Now.” Jesus is the foundation underneath it all for me. 

Our minds can be both exciting and sometimes terrifying places when they wander here and there and everywhere. It can be healthy to exercise our imagination.

But it’s also important to stay grounded where God is present with us in:

This. Here. Now.

Share in the comments.

Read More:

• When You Resist Where You Need to Stay 
• What Are Middles For? To Live In
• Where’s Your Phone Right Now?

You are on Day #28 of the series: Find Your Mantra {28 Daily Mantras}

Previous:
“End well” {Mantra 27}

We all love a good beginning . . . of a story, of a vacation, of a life.

But what about endings?

Did you know this? When we assess our experiences, we tend to rate them on two key moments:

(1) the best or worst moment, and

(2) the ending.

So says Chip and Dan Heath in their incredible book, The Power of Moments: Why Certain Experiences Have Extraordinary Impact (I highly recommend it!).

As long as our event ends well, we tend to rate it well, even if there were horrible moments in between.

End well.

But what constitutes an ending? The Heath brothers say:

“Beginnings and endings can blur—if you change cities for a new job, is that an ending or a beginning or both? That’s why it’s preferable to talk about transitions, which encompass both endings and beginnings.”

With that caveat, if you want to make the memory good, when it’s within your control to do it, aim to make the ending good. The end of your story. The last day of your vacation.

And the end of your life.

End well.

Share in the comments.

Read More:

• How to Enhance an Experience
• Create More Finish Lines
• How to Mark the Moment

You are on Day #27 of the series: Find Your Mantra {28 Daily Mantras}

Previous:
“Let go or be dragged” {Mantra 26}

Next:
“This. Here. Now.” {Mantra 28}

Once again, we don’t have enough hangers in our closet. Jeff is good about getting rid of an old shirt when he buys a new shirt, thus freeing up a hanger.

But I’m not.

So eventually we run out of hangers for our clothes because we have more clothes than hangers.

The disproportionate amount of clothes vs hangers isn’t a sign to me to buy more hangers. It’s a sign to to let go of more clutter.

We only have room in our closets (and our lives) for a set amount of clothes, and I don’t want to hoard extras.

Too much clutter drags me down.

Whether it’s physical, mental, spiritual, or emotional, holding on to things that I need to release is unhealthy.

This popular mantra is a useful and vivid one:

Let go or be dragged.

There are dreams I need to let go of too. Dreams of how I want things to be.

Like unworn clothes in my wardrobe, I want to release outdated dreams that I’ll never wear again. I don’t need them dragging me down and taking up unnecessary room in my closet.

The more clutter we release, the more full we can be. Getting rid of excess gives us more space to connect with others, to connect with ourselves, and to connect with God.

We don’t need to let go of everything, of course. As Thích Nhất Hạnh said,

“Letting go doesn’t mean we let go of everything. We don’t let go of reality. But we let go of our wrong ideas and wrong perceptions about reality.”

Learn when it’s time to release. Learn what it’s time to release. 

Let go or be dragged.

Share in the comments.

You are on Day #26 of the series: Find Your Mantra {28 Daily Mantras}

Previous:
“Why do you ask?” {Mantra 25}

Next:
“End well” {Mantra 27}

John Steinbeck calls it “a good ear.”

It’s the ability to listen below the surface.

Maybe we don’t need to use this in every conversation (but maybe so?).

But for many conversations, it would benefit our relationships if can use our “good ear.”

In The Listening Life, Adam McHugh encourages us to approach others with curiosity and empathy. Instead of assuming we know what the other person thinks or will say next, realize we don’t know. Listen instead. And use “why” as your best friend.

Some of the “why” questions that McHugh suggests we ask to dive underneath a surface conversation are:

• Why is that important to you?
• Why do you feel that way?
• Why does that bother you?

But McHugh also suggests another time to ask a “why” question. Instead of immediately answering a request for advice with a statement, instead ask another question:

Why do you ask?

By asking, “Why do you ask?” we move a step closer to the heart of the other person. The conversation may turn to the real reason they’ve chosen this topic to talk about.

McHugh writes,

“What unites us is love, flowing between us through the power of the Holy Spirit. When we listen to one another, and give others permission to be their own person and think their own thoughts, we love one another.”

I don’t remember to use this question very often. I want to remember to use it more.

Why do you ask?

Featured Post

Uncovering our true selves with each other is a positive step toward intimacy with each other and with God.

In our featured post today, Maryleigh says we need to give ourselves permission to truly be ourselves.

“Sometimes, it’s feels like I’m waiting for permission to be me, like I need an authoritative or official certificate of permission to be who God designed me to be. Stop waiting for permission!”

When we do this, we also give ourselves permission to love others as we were made to love.

“Be you! Be love! All sorts of good things live in a soul that loves like that!”

Read all of Maryleigh’s wonderful post here, then add your own links below.

“Love Doesn’t Need Permission – Love Anyway”

How often do you give yourself permission to just be you? Share in the comments.

You are on Day #25 of the series: Find Your Mantra {28 Daily Mantras}

Previous:
“They don’t have to understand” {Mantra 24}

Next:
“Let go or be dragged” {Mantra 26}

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3. Every host features one entry from the previous week. To be featured, include this button or link back here on your post (mandatory to be featured, but not to participate).

We encourage you to follow our hosts on their blogs or social media.

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They don’t have to understand.

This is one of the hardest mantras for me to accept.

I really like to be understood.

When Jeff and I have a disagreement, I’m okay if he doesn’t agree with my opinion. But I really want him to understand what I’m saying.

But there are times when people won’t understand. Or won’t even try.

And although that hurts, I want to be less offended by it and not take it personally.

I’m still learning how to release this desire to be understood. I’m digging at the roots. 

I do realize it’s impossible to be understood by everybody all the time.

It’s impossible to even understand ourselves all the time.

So as I continue to practice this mantra, I want to remember this:

Not only do others not have to understand us all the time, we don’t even have to tell our side of the story every time.

We will be misunderstood. We will misunderstand others. This will happen again and again.

But if we’re trying to understand ourselves, sometimes that is enough. Not always, but sometimes. 

And if we let it, not being understood can be an opportunity to grow in humility. I understand I need that. 

Share in the comments.

Read More:

• Do You Need to Explain Yourself?
• When You Don’t Have an Answer for “So, what do you do?”
• Do You Have to Spell It Out for God?

You are on Day #24 of the series: Find Your Mantra {28 Daily Mantras}

Previous:
“Whatever happens, we’ll handle it” {Mantra 23}

Next:
“Why do you ask?” {Mantra 25}

You may be a talented artist. Or a proficient accountant. Or a magnificent teacher.

But if you know how to love well?

You’re the friend we all want.

Love matters more.

There are a multitude of ways to love. There are as many ways as people.

And each way is important.

However you choose, love someone today. That’s what people need the most from you.

Isn’t this how we want to be known? “They loved well.”

Whatever you want to say—whether truth or advice or opinion—first run it through the filter of love.

Whatever you do—whether art or accounting or teaching or anything else—do it from love. With love. For love.

“The highest form of truth is a life of love.”
– Jared Byas

Love no matter where. Love no matter how. Love no matter what.

Not “love, but…”

Just “love.” 

Love matters more.

Share in the comments.

Read More:

• Are We Failing at Our One Job?
• Chase the Treasure, Not the Map
• Find the Weird One

You are on Day #22 of the series: Find Your Mantra {28 Daily Mantras}

Previous:
“Just show up” {Mantra 21}

Next:
“Whatever happens, we’ll handle it” {Mantra 23}

My mind drifts forward. I have things to do this week that I’m excited about (babysitting my grandson for one!).

I also think to the past. I remember a joke my oldest granddaughter used to share with me. I laugh.

Back and forth and in-between, my mind wanders all day long.

Occasionally I land here, in the moment. This moment. And I remember, oh yes, this is where I’m supposed to be right now!

This moment is the only one we ever have. This is where God is most present.

Living too much in the past can cause guilt or sadness. Living too much in the future can cause anxiety or fear. Time is the root of suffering when there’s not enough presence.

Say yes to this moment.

Of course we need to think ahead to the future. And we find joy in thinking back to the past.

Planning ahead and reminiscing about the past are both good uses of the present.

But not to the exclusion of the present.

So for today, I’ll say yes to noticing what is happening now.

• I’ll say yes to listening to this person who is talking.
• I’ll say yes to savoring this meal as I eat it.
• I’ll say yes to the water in the shower and the prayer with God and the conversations with friends and the walk to the mailbox, all the little things that make up a day, one short moment at a time.

The small individual moments are actually the biggest moments of all.

There is enough in this moment.

Say yes to this moment.

Do you naturally drift more to the past or to the future? (I lean toward the future.) Or do you stay firmly in the present? Share in the comments.

Read More:

• What Are Middles For? 
• 4 Lessons on Living in the Now
• Now is God’s Time of Choice

You are on Day #21 of the series: Find Your Mantra {28 Daily Mantras}

• See the Mantras Table of Contents here

Previous:
“The greatest of these is love” {Mantra 20}

Next:
“Love matters more” {Mantra 22}

• When you want to feel better, love.
• When you don’t know what to do, love.
• When you want to do something special, love.

The greatest of these is love.

The apostle Paul wrote that these three remained: faith, hope, and love.

• Faith (a conviction, a belief, a persuasion) is something within us.
• Hope (an expectation, a confidence) is also something within us.

But love?

• Love (an affection, benevolence, good will) is something we give outside of ourselves.

Love reaches out to to meet the needs of others. Love cares about others. Love is vulnerable to others.

God loves us. So we love God and love others and love self.

God is love.
God is greatest.
The greatest of these is love.

Share in the comments.

You are on Day #20 of the series: Find Your Mantra {28 Daily Mantras}

Previous:
“You are never alone” {Mantra 19}

Next:
“Say yes to this moment” {Mantra 21}

When I’m in bed at night and all is quiet, I’m disturbed if I hear a noise anywhere in the house.

But I’m not quite as scared if Jeff is right beside me.

There’s something comforting about not being alone.

I’m not sure exactly how it works, but whether in hard times or in good times, the presence of another person—and especially a person you love and who loves you—is a true gift.

It’s comforting to know . . .

You are never alone.

I’m not exactly sure how God works with presence.

But I believe the promise that God never abandons us. God never leaves us alone.

Embedded in God’s presence, God brings love and goodness.

God is someone I love and someone who loves me. God is a true gift.

For me. For you.

You are never alone.

Share in the comments.

You are on Day #19 of the series: Find Your Mantra {28 Daily Mantras}

• See the Mantras Table of Contents here
• Subscribe to the blog to get each mantra in your email (if you don’t already subscribe)

Previous:
“This is not the end” {Mantra 18}

Next:
“The greatest of these is love” {Mantra 20}