2012 Mantra

It has sort of become a tradition to create a mantra to get me through the year, keeping me focused on the growth I would like to complete.

After many months of trying to figure this out, I have finally landed on the things I would like to use to help me stay balanced and grow throughout 2012.

Love is Delicate
In truth, all matters are delicate but perhaps love would be the most delicate. I have learned, and now hope to remember, that as a delicate blessing, love must be handled with care. When you see something delicate you don't just run up and grab it. You don't yank on it until it goes where you want. You don't toss it around carelessly. You don't just toss it away when you are done.
When dealing with anything delicate you must always approach it carefully, plot your course thoughtful, hold it gently, and never be reckless with it. Something that is delicate must be carefully thought of before reaching for it. While it is in your embrace it must be thought of and cared for as an extension of yourself. And should you ever tire of holding it, you gently return it to its original place, kindly making sure your presence did not leave any damage to its delicate state. As my mother would say, "like a baby bunny" which was code when we were baking apple pies to be gentle. I need to remember that love is delicate, mine and someone else's. It should never be asked for or given without deep thought, it should never be asked for or given without truly knowing it will be handled with care. And it should never, ever be recklessly discarded. Love is delicate.

Let Time Come.
Everything takes time. Growing, fixing, loving, leaving, moving forward, forgetting, processing, healing... everything. Let time come. Wait for it. Trying to rush it, delays it. Trying to fight it, make you drown. I saw a quote that said, "You didn't get here in one night, don't expect to get out of here in one night." I need to remember this. I need to let time come, as it comes. I need to accept that for everyday that brought me to where I am, it will take another day, or maybe two, for me to get back out. The more I fight it, the more times I am sent back to start. Let time come.

Success is Within.
Success is not what can be placed on paper regarding our careers or education. Success is not the material possessions we can hold in our hands. Success is not in the things we own like houses and cars. Success is not in the money we have in the bank or in investments. Success comes from within us. Success comes from within. Success is loving, being trustworthy, being honest. Success is finding joy, finding peace, finding faith. Success is believing in yourself, believing in others, believing in the world. Success is being alive, being proud, being gracious. Success is within.

Perception is Reflection.
The perception I give off is directly related to the reflection I see. When I reflect in the mirror and I don't like who I see, that feeling will become the perception that others see when they look at me. When I look at my reflection and I see love, kindness, faith, joy, beautiful, and strong, that is what others will see when they look at me. Perception is Reflection.

Thoughts are Actions.
What we think, is how we act. Our subconcious mind rules everything we do, thoughts rule our subconcious mind. Therefore, the thoughts we think turn into the actions we do.

Now Matters.
As important as it is for me to let time come, it is also important to remember that now matters. I needn't wait for the first of the year or next month, or the beginning of a week, or someday in the future to come. Now is important. Now matters. Now becomes Never when Now becomes Later.

So there it is. My 2012 Mantra, Love is Delicate, Let Time Come, Success is Within, Perception is Reflection, Thoughts are Actions, Now Matters.