Mantra

I read the “Survival Issue” of backpacker magazine on my flight to Mumbai. (it was awesome) and while I don’t regularly need to know most of the tips…you never know when you’re going to need to know how to use a tourniquet…or what type of knife is the best for the outdoors…or how to make a split for a broken femur out of trekking poles and sleeping bags.

One of the “survival tips” they gave was “Mantra” and here’s what they say about having a mantra:

“Developing a mandtra – which means “instrument of thinking” in Sanskrit – can help steer you aaway from negative thoughts. “Mantras help overcome your tendency to focus on pain and instead concentrate your attention on the positive aspects of the here-and-now, while maintaining focus on the target: survival,” says Dr. Rob Bell a sports psychology coach”

And while my main target isn’t usually survival (during some particularly chaotic seasons it sure feels like that), I do resonate with the power of a mantra. It didn’t take long for me to come up with different mantras the Kolkata community has used, and I have used personally over the years…here are some, both silly and serious (that have help dig me out of bad seasons):

One foot in front of the other

Breathe deeply

aste aste hoye jabe (slowly slowly it will happen)

It's the little things

Texas forever

Let it be

I have a chalk board in my living room. Beth gave it to me for my birthday/housewarming gift. I call it my “notes to self” board…and the current mantra…or the truth that I hope is sinking deep in my soul is often captured on that board. here are some from the past year:

right now it says, "daily bread"