Everyone has their own mantras or sayings to get them through their day and their lives. Some are Biblical verses, things families say at every family get together, or maybe a quote you found online. Personally, my family and I have our own collection of these phrases that we constantly are sharing. I’ve even developed some of my own along the way too. Although the quotes and sayings are a few small words, they have the promise of a large impact if you take the time to read, believe, and practice them. Maybe you can adopts some of these sayings too.

1. Be honest with yourself and then with others.

These eight simple words are so powerful and influential in my life. You cannot expect to move forward with anything in life if you are not being honest with yourself regarding what you want or do not want. Only you can decide that; not anyone else. Once you’ve come to terms with whatever it is, you will feel a weight off your shoulders and you will be able to carry out your decisions and be honest with others.

2. Effort equals results.

Ah yes. This saying. My dad always tells me this and vice versa. It is a phrase of encouragement, reassurance, and motivating. It encourages me to keep trying my best in everything I do. It is motivation to keep striving for the very best that I can do and be.

3. It is okay not to be okay.

This is a reminder that you do not always have to be put-togther and “perfect”, because face it — the only perfect person to walk this earth is Jesus Christ. This phrase is a reminder to give all our burdens to Him and trust in His ways; not ours.

4. Life is not a dress rehearsal.

LIVE! Do not wait to do whatever it is that you want to do! Do not make excuses! Live! Grow! Make a change! Do something for the first time! But most importantly, do not have any regrets at the end of it all, because this is your one shot.

5. Misery is optional.

It is as simple and profound as that. Period. My mom always says that we cannot control our emotions, but we can control what we do with them. I guess that is another phrase to live by too.

6. Happiness is a choice.

There is always something to be thankful for. Sure, bad things happen, but the bad things in life help us appreciate the good things. Choose to be better, not bitter.

Thank you for reading, and I hope you can take some of these sayings to heart.