man·tra

(noun) A hymn or portion of text used as an incantation or prayer.

My definition: Something I say to myself to keep me from freaking out when the proverbial caca hits the fan. 

Life happens, and sometimes, it's not always rainbows and sunshine. Sometimes it's little stuff, sometimes it's big stuff. Either way we have absolutely no power over what gets thrown at us. What we DO have power over is in the way that we preserver through hardships. I'm not saying that I jump for joy when my car won't start, or do a cartwheel when someone says something hurtful. However, sometimes a few kind words to myself (a mantra) can help carry me through those moments with a little more grace and ease. It doesn't have to be a serious chant-like hymn, a mantra can be any combination of words strung together that brings you a little peace of mind.

Here's a simple, slightly silly one that I use almost daily in an attempt to fight the urge to morph into Speedy Gonzales in a busy moment. 

SLOW YOUR ROLL. 

Easier said than done, right? Agreed. We all run around like crazy these days and it's easy to forget to slow down enough to enjoy the ride. This one keeps me in check and I use it a TON, especially when I get so caught up in "busy" life that I forget to do simple things like :

Chew my Food. Always on the go, I often find myself inhaling food while standing, driving, walking, texting and even talking (gross!). I've unknowingly shown up to clients or classes with avocado on my face more than once, so that's my personal motivation to at least TRY to slow down and eat like a civilized human. That plate you're inhaling isn't going anywhere, Mary. Slow your roll! 

Really Listen. If someone is taking the time to share a story with me, I want to make the time to listen, really listen. Sometimes I notice myself getting antsy and cutting people off mid-sentence when I'm "in a hurry" to get to the next appointment. Lame. In reality, an extra 5 minutes isn't going to make me late, or ruin my day. Actually, some days those stories inspire me and super-charge me for the rest of my day! Listen, Mary. Slow your roll!  

Drive like a Normal Human Being (instead of a bat out of hell).There will be traffic. There will be accidents, construction, slow drivers, fast drivers, a tourist driving here for the first time (bless his heart!), but I have no control over any of that, and I never will. I'm in my car a lot driving from classes to clients, and sometimes I'm shocked at the amount of self-induced chaos that builds up in my brain due to driving. I'm working on allowing myself more travel time, and letting go of the circumstances that are out of my hands. Accidents happen when you're rushing around stressed about traffic and parking, Mary. Slow your roll! 

Your mission (and mine as well!)

Choose to accept the bumps along the way and use "slow your roll" every time you find yourself racing through life at warp speed! As you navigate through your week, try taking the time to eat without multi-tasking, to truly listen to a story (even if it's long-winded), or maybe let someone go in front of you while sitting in traffic. You never know what you might see, or who you might meet when you slow things down a bit. Plus, maybe you'll make someone smile along the way. Give it a whirl and let me know (via e-mail or social media world) how it goes! I look forward to slowing my roll with you. 

big love, 

Mary 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A licensed massage therapist, as well as a registered yoga instructor with 300+ hours of training, Mary is the co-founder/owner of YogaFam, which hosts family oriented yoga adventures around Southern California and beyond. Mary can be found teaching yoga in studios or privately all over the west-side of LA, soaking up some California sun on a hike or at the beach, or tackling a taco tuesday. She strives to approach life with love, gratitude and self-acceptance, and she hopes to inspire her readers to do the same. "On our beautifully messy path to radical acceptance, rather than aiming for perfection, we discover how to love ourselves into wholeness." 

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