Not long ago I read an article on the mantras — powerful catch phrases that help you focus when times get tough. “Mantra,” the Runner’s World story says, “literally means ‘instrument for thinking.’” People who use them tend to run faster and farther hitting running goals they otherwise didn’t think possible.
I love mantras because they help me kick negative thinking in the butt. If I’m in the middle of hard exercise I tell myself “piece of cake.” This serves two purposes: it reminds me that exercise is only as hard as I believe it to be, and it makes me think about actual cake. (Because cake always tastes better when you exercise really hard for it … plus who doesn’t like thinking about cake?!).
I also have a military life mantra. This one is plastered on one of those wooden signs you can buy from a vendor at the PX. It hangs in my kitchen where I can see it while I sit and eat yet another meal without my husband. It says “Army Wife – Courage, Strength, Sacrifice.”
While that saying may be incredibly cheesy, the sign has helped me get through many a bad military life moment. When times get tough and military life really, really sucks it reminds me of what I am. I am courageous. I am strong. I take pride in my sacrifice.
Sometimes I don’t feel those things – sometimes I don’t feel strong or courageous. And sometimes I hate the sacrifice. But that’s really just the hard moments talking. Deep down I am what that mantra says – and my sign reminds me of it. And it makes this military life a little bit easier to swallow.
Do you have a military life mantra? If not, try coming up with one and share it below. Maybe your new mantra can be someone else’s power phrase, too.
About Amy Bushatz
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“I know God will not give me anything I can’t handle. I just wish He didn’t trust me so much.”
Mother Teresa
Man plans…God laughs.
There have been many through out the years but I always fall back to one my mom used in my dad's 32 year Army career: Adapt and overcome
Is it my Monkey? If so, I take full responsibility. If not, then I give it back to whom it belongs.
I have a stuffed monkey in my bedroom at home and one on a shelf in my office as constant reminders of this mantra. It is an empowerment tool so that I don't ever sink in to victim mode!
"Life doesn't have to be perfect to be wonderful." A good reminder to me when things don't work out exactly the way I plan, when trials happen, when we hit hard times, it reminds me I can still have joy in my life.
"Suck it up, deal with it, and move on". Reminds me that when confronted with something I can't change I need to accept it and do what I can to move forward instead of wallowing in self-pity. The only thing I can control in those situations is how I deal with them and if I want my life to be a positive experience I need to make the best of things.
My mom HAD to have written this reply. It's what we were always told growing up. It worked!
Some days are better than others and on those really bad days — ie. when one of my four kids are sick, two are fist fighting and I notice a bald spot forming over my temple from stress at work — my MilSpouse Mantra is simple: "You are a Mother F'n Warrior. HOOAH." It's not for the faint of heart — but that's the point, right?
I am totally stealing this mantra. I NEED it today. Thanks!!
"All is well. All was well. All will be well again."
Sometimes I really lose track of the fact that we are a good couple and a good family and that whatever stuff is happening is just temporary.
Semper Gumby. Because I have to be flexible to survive this lifestyle. Because I will break if I am not. And I needed to be reminded of this today, because with yet another det right now, and another deployment looming, I am in the throws of needing to be flexible.
SIT REP: " were surrounded sir" ……. " Good that simplifies the problem, we know were the enemy is."
I love this cause on many days i feel over whelmed with the day to day of life. Simple : just keep fighting
My husband and I always say to each other "For you I'd risk it all". Knowing that he is risking it all gives me the strength, and courage to face the simple troubles I deal with day to day.
"This too shall pass"
Word.
Bloom where you are planted!
i have a few mantras, that depends on the situation i use.
from my mom: this too shall pass…..not gonna last always
from son: you have been through harder things than this…….was a single mom from age 15 now im 34
from me and my husband: ride or die……means no matter what we in this together
from me to whoever: he loves me like no other man has ever loved me, HES WORTH IT
“Get over it, get through it, or let it destroy you.” It’s been our family motto since before he joined.
Distance does to love what wind does to fire… It extinguishes the weak and feeds the strong.