" Don't You Worry Child … "

“There was a time

I used to look into my father's eyes.

In a happy home

I was a king, I had a golden throne ...

Now the memory's on the wall.

I hear the songs

From the places where I was born ...

My father said,

"Don't you worry, don't you worry, child.

See heaven's got a plan for you.

Don't you worry, don't you worry now."

Yeah!”

~ Swedish House Mafia ~ Don’t You Worry Child ~

***

On my daily quest for eternal sunshine, I remind myself that life has ups and downs, we face the good and the bad, we witness the ugly and the beautiful ... day in and day out ... yet the only day, today, is the one to be concerned with.  

Today ... any person can battle just one day, any person.  It is when we add the burdens of those two other days that we can break down.  Those two other days ... yesterday & tomorrow.

remorse or bitterness of something which happened yesterday ...

dread of what tomorrow may bring ...

Do you reflect on yesterday(s) and see it’s mistakes, cares, faults, blunders, aches and pains … 

or do you see lessons, gifts and blessings?  

We cannot undo a single act we performed. 

We cannot erase a single word we said.

Does tomorrow bring burdens, lack of and poor prognosis … 

or do you see opportunities & possibilities?

You can only live one day at a time

Life is unpredictable not to enjoy each and every moment.  Realizing that our time is limited makes every moment even more important.  Yet knowing the importance of living in the moment and taking action is another.  

My spiritual practices has shown me that thoughts are not necessarily reality.  That when my mind is bogged down with concerns, worries, what-if thoughts and imagined scenarios ... I need to intervene, take control and not believe the potentially terrible outcomes my mind has presented ... why?  because I am still here in the most important moment, now.

Staying in the present requires recognizing the difference between what-ifs and what is.

The more we dwell on, the more it multiplies.  No day is going to be perfect but we can choose to focus more on the happy moments than on the painful ones.  

“If you worry about what might be, and wonder what might have been, you will ignore what is.”

" Mantra ... "

A thousand dreams within

Within me softly burn

They burn the savage soul

Tat twisted what it learned

I feel this life slipping by

I can fell this life slipping by

Mercy is the cry of the soul that stirred ...

Time and time life's left me only

Feeling sick and feeling scared

Now love is strong my love is strong

I'll go on and on and on and on and on

Mercy is the cry of the soul that stirred

Mercy is the cry and it's never heard

Love is all we have

Love is all we need

~ Tea Party ~ Mantra

***

Mantras ... what are they and do you have one or more?  More importantly, what can mantras do you for you?  

Recently, I read that “ideas remain un actualized until they are created through the power of speech”.  And within large bodies of text (originating from India), also known as Vedas, the is claim that “speech is the essence of humanity”.  Therefore, the expression of ideas and actions through speech determines what we think and become.  At least this is practiced within most Buddhist and Hinduism techniques ... leading to mantras being viewed as a necessity for spiritual advancement. 

But where does the word mantra come from?  Well it is derived from two Sanskrit words.  “Manas” or mind, which provides the “man” syllable and “trai” meaning “protect”.  Therefore, the word mantra literally means “to free from the mind” and mantra, at its core, is a tool used by the mind.

So why mantra?

Regardless of your choice of faith, mantras can be very powerful.  The simple act of speaking a word produces an actual physical vibration and energy.  Coupled with the mental intention, the vibration carries the result of saying it.  To the universe.  Literally putting it out there with commitment.

From personal experience, mantras can take you on a journey towards freedom.  At a subconscious level, they help to expand and deepen your mind ... and address thoughts stored in organs and glands, transforming them into places of peace and harmony.  

And yes, 

this can be achieved through dedicated uses of mantras ...

How?  Simply put, a mantra is an empowered word ... a word that has great psychological or spiritual efficacy.  It allows you to focus your attention on your inner self, your spirit, your soul.  And even if you are still not sure if you want to "mantra" ... you may be surprised to find out you probably are.  Just know the most important aspect of mantras is keeping faith.  Faith, aided by strong will, is when we achieve our goals ... leading us to a calm mind, true happiness and ultimate satisfaction.