for years my mantra was “O well”….. I said it when the milk got spilled, I said it when the bills were past due — I said it when one of the kids was acting out and causing us to be late yet again —-
take a deep breath, slowly now let that breath out, deep and slow in —- deep and slow out —- “O well” — in 10 years this moment in time will not have made a difference, in 5 years it won’t have made a difference. Why even in one year, will my slowing down, and taking the time to take care of this have made a difference? Well, maybe, but my blowing up – caving in to the frustration — breaking down over this, letting it be the straw that breaks my back — that will have made a difference. and it will not be a good difference. So for now, I will take this breath. I will say “O well” and then when I have gotten through this moment without falling apart, I will know that I will be OK after all. And when I make it though a day this way, well, that is a major milestone, and eventually, I can make it through the week.
Now 20 plus years after beginning this process, I don’t remember when I needed to do this last.
A friend recently told me that her favorite Bible verse has become “and it came to pass” — this has become her mantra. And has helped her through many things in the last few years. For those of us on the rollar coaster ride of depression and mania, this one might be helpful too. If I can just remember that this feeling, this depression — “came to pass”, just like the last one did. It too will go. (especially if I am wise enough to call my doctor)

Yep, I use “Help me Jesus” for those times, because admitting that I can’t do it all alone and that something or Someone can give me strength helps too. I don’t have a lot to complain about, but I’m trying to help elderly relatives with a tax problem, and the combination of 1) elderly, 2) family, and 3) the IRS has me calling on Jesus more often some days. But you know what? Every now and then I lose sleep but I still get everything done, we’re almost worked out of our problem, and life goes on.
Where would we be without the positive self talk? We need it! Nothing wrong with that.

It’s certainly a better mantra than my typically Jersey, simultaneously sarcastic and self-deprecating, “YEAH, RIGHT …”

Yes, Therese, you ARE okay. And in fact, you’re better than okay in my book. You’re terrific. Okay, maybe you don’t necessarily FEEL that way but you are! You are sweet and you are kind and you are amazing and you are smart and you are beautiful and you are a good mom and you are creative and you are a good wife and you are a good person and you’re a fantastic writer! And I thank God for you! And I’m glad that “You’re okay.” Hang in there! Love Valerie

My Mantra is: “All is Well.”
Because I Know:
He took the broken, shared pieces of my life
and made a Stained Glass Window.
And “I’m am Okay;” knowing that’s what He is doing.

It’s a tad bizarre, but I keep repeating something I heard from Tim Allen in an interview. (Yes, Tim ‘the Tool Man’ Taylor.) Did you know he wrote a book on quantum theory?
Anyway, he said that he dealt with overcoming addiction by telling himself that his pain was temporary, and like everything else, would change. The way he says it is, “I am the weather.” I find myself saying that all the time now. Like the weather, this mood will pass — and come again.

When the dark times come, I find my self-talk turning to prayers of “this too shall pass”. I know these feelings are just imbalanced chemicals in my brain and it will pass. I don’t have to agree with it, I don’t have to believe it and I certainly don’t have to give in to it. It Will Pass.

Hi, I find when a recurring negative thought creeps in that a simple ‘No.’ does the trick, at least until the next one creeps by!
It’s not philosophical or amazing, it just helps to get through the day…
Best wishes x

To All: Thanks for sharing your “tricks”; I’m in desperate need of as many as Ican get! It used to be that writing my heart–and fears–out in my prayr journal did the tricj, but lately the “snake pit” has loomed larger than ever! All my post-it note affirnations stuck around my home are a testament to my recent (and current) neediness, and now I have NEW tools to try using Blessings on all of you!Most of all, the blessing of a moment or two of peace!

Thank you all –especially Elizabeth for sharing your farther on down the “Oh well” path than I am so far. All of that breaking down, falling apart, all those straws that I thought would break my back and light my fuse so that I would lash out from fear and being overwhelmed just thinking about the next bad thing to befall me are diffused in such a calmer way now. I can stop and act most of the time instead of reacting. I don’t push the first domino so that the whole household comes crashing down–at least as often. Being diligent about self care is also central to helping myself maintain a sense of proportion about all of life’s scraped knees thrown my way. When I feel physically better it is so much easier to think in a constructive way. These two things are becoming the rungs of my ladder to hold on to as I continue to guide my way out of the darkness. Thanks for sharing.

I HOPE MY MOOD WILL PASS, SOMETHING I CAN’T COUNT ON. I’M IN A ?????
I DON’T KNOW. TO THROW THE TOWEL IN.