Inspiration is the spark in the human heart that moves the body to action. The word “inspiration” comes from the Latin root inspirare, which means, “to breathe life into.” Read on to discover powerful words that breathe mindfulness, positivity, and calm into everyday life.
Be Here Now
Awaken To This Moment
Where is your mind? Is it stuck in yesterday? Or racing toward tomorrow? Life doesn’t exist in the past or future: it exists right here, right now. This powerful mantra awakens us to the preciousness of the present. When we let go of the past and future, we settle calmly in the miracle that is this moment. Live mindfully in the present, embrace the beauty of now.
Be The Change
Start Here Now. Fearless. Courage To Change.
This mantra helps us reach deep down and tap into our inner power. We have the ability to change our lives and change the world. But change must always begin within. Have the courage to take the first step and start something different, right here, right now. Don’t hope for change. Don’t wait for change. Be the change.
Be Still And Know
There Is Wisdom In Silence
Grappling for answers is like chasing butterflies: they’ll always flit out of reach. But if we learn to sit quietly, what we seek will eventually come to us, like a monarch butterfly landing softly on an outstretched hand. In Zen traditions, this gentle phrase encourages you to go deep within, to sit patiently, welcoming wisdom with your stillness.
Breathe
Inhale. Exhale. Repeat.
Our breath is always with us: it is a constant, life-sustaining presence we can focus on anytime. Bringing attention to the breath brings awareness back to the body. It grounds us in the reality of the present. If you are anxious, scared, or scattered, you can always return to this simple yet fundamental process. No matter what happens, just breathe.
Choose Joy
Change Your Attitude, Change Your Life
These two words encourage us to focus on those parts of life that bring us light, laughter, and love. After all, happiness is not a destination, it’s state of mind. We can’t control the universe, but we can choose to embrace an attitude of positivity and gratitude. Life is yours. Make it a joyous one.
Karma
Plant The Seeds Of Positivity
Karma is the belief that every deed we knowingly perform will produce similar results. Virtuous actions beget positivity, while negative actions lead to a backlash. Karma is not meant to scare us into being good. Instead, it reminds us that what we do has greater consequences outside of ourselves. We must speak and act with mindful intention: every deed plants the seed for something bigger.
Let It Go
Surrender To Life’s Flow
Sometimes we cling too tightly to certain parts of life. Fearing change, we get stuck. This expression asks us to release our grasp on whatever is holding us back. Once we do that, we can flow freely with the natural ebb of life. Don’t resist what you can’t change. Let go, and let the universe’s current carry you along.
Move And The Way Will Open
The Journey Is The Answer
This beloved Zen proverb encourages mindful action instead of aimless rumination. When you are lost or stuck, don’t dwell: just move forward. So long as you keep traveling and opening yourself up to change, life’s path will unfold before you: it is up to you to walk.
Namaste
I See Your Light, I Regard It With Love
A traditional Sanskrit greeting, Namaste is a combination of two different words: namah (“I bow respectfully to you.”) and aste (“Let there be.”). In the West, it translates to “The divine in me honors the divine in you.” An expression of profound respect, saying Namaste with genuine grace gives birth to something beautiful: a moment in which one soul humbly recognizes another.
No Mud, No Lotus
Through It All The Lotus Flower Blooms
The lotus flower is noted for the wondrous way that it grows: before it blossoms in the sun, it must make its way through slimy pond muck. In time it emerges, beautiful and whole. The lotus teaches us that obstacles, though uncomfortable, are often necessary for growth. Without the struggles we face, we could not bloom into who we are today. Don’t be afraid of life’s mud: trust in the unseen path that leads to the sun.
Satya
Let Truth Be Your Light
Satya is a Sanskrit word that means “truthfulness.” Satya encourages us to be truthful not just in speech, but also in our actions and thoughts. It calls on us to live in a way that honors our most authentic selves and to see things for what they really are. When we embrace truth, we find harmony with the universe. And with ourselves.
Shanti
Peace Comes From Within
Shanti is Sanskrit for “peace.” It refers to an inner serenity that we create for ourselves. When we cultivate peace within, we don’t have to seek it elsewhere. Nor are we so easily unmoored by events beyond our control. Through meditation and acceptance, we can develop a tranquil foundation that anchors us during the stormiest of times.
