What is YOUR mantra?

…Before you roll your eyes, I’m not asking when and where you sit with crossed legs and closed eyes, and chant things like “Om”, “Gayatri” and “Samastah”.  I’m not even into yoga myself!

No, mantras do not necessarily refer to yoga.  Mottos and mantras are short sentences or phrases that articulate our inner convictions.  They can reinforce a strong mindset, boost motivation, and foster a positive attitude.  Everyone who follows our studio on social media, are fully aware of the fact that I LOVE motivational quotes.  I use them in my weekly Blogs, and I never post a workout video without adding a suitable quote.  I sometimes spend hours searching for the right phrase…I have always believed that a motto reflects our aspirations and our hopes, and that it’s a great tool to kickstart our minds.  It has the power to change our thought process and direct our energies in a positive direction.

…We are in our final week of our long Winter Challenge, and last week I asked every Challenge member to come to class with their favourite motto printed on a poster and hanging around their necks.  I know, it may seem like a silly gesture, but I did it for two reasons – firstly, it was simply to keep the members mentally and physically accountable till the very end, but I was also curious to see what makes them tick…(Challenge members, for an extra point, please send me your motto again via WhatsApp before tonight at 20.00)

…On Tuesday there were Bible verses, uplifting slogans, famous quotes, and of course, a few humorous puns, like Hannelie’s “Nee, ek kan nie onthou nie!” (don’t worry, she was had a serious one too), and Yolandi’s tongue in the cheek motto – “You may have been given a cactus, but you don’t have to sit on it!”😊

What was very interesting, is the fact that no one pitched with the same motto, except for Bonolo who also chose Ghandi’s quote, like I did… According to ChatGPT the number of mottos in the world is virtually uncountable and continually growing.   I wish I had time to ask every Challenge member personally about why they specifically chose those mottos on the day, but it’s clear that we all have our personal favourites and beliefs when it comes to mottos.  Talita’s poster read, “Wees beter!”, and when I asked her about it, she explained that it urges her to continuously strive towards enhancing well-being, self-improvement, and happiness in a manageable and realistic way. To be a bit kinder, a bit more organized, or a bit more focused than yesterday.

…I was just so relieved that not one of our Challenge members pitched with a pessimistic motto, like, “Life’s a bitch, and then you die”, or “Expect the worst, hope for the best”, or “Every silver lining has a cloud…” Sigh! 

But why do we even need mottos? It’s a fact that our mottos reflect our insides, but they also inspire us to improve what’s ticking on that inside. When it comes to fitness, we often focus on physical prowess, counting reps, logging steps, and tracking our fat-loss progress.  We should not, however, underestimate the power of mottos to fuel our journey. They can be game changers in providing motivation, resilience, and a sense of purpose.   

Every fitness journey is peppered with moments of doubt.  Sometimes we struggle to find the energy for an early morning workout, other times we face the frustration of a plateau.  Mottos serve as quick reminders of why we started.  I was thrilled last Wednesday morning when Lisa walked up to me before the 5.10 morning class and said: “Today my motto got me out of bed – ‘don’t think, just do’.”

When you are part of a Winter Challenge, you are constantly confronted with the fact that fitness is by far not only a physical challenge – it’s extremely mental too.  And in that sense a positive mindset is crucial to long-term success.  Mottos act as affirmations, drowning thoughts of self-doubt and replacing them with empowering beliefs.  They also remind us of our “why” – and that in itself makes our journeys more meaningful. 

“Be the change that you wish to see in the world”, the famous quote by Mahatma Gandhi, is my favourite motto.  Another one that is a true reflection of my life, is “The only way to do great work is to love what you do”, by Steve Jobs.

Having a motto might seem a little fanciful, but it can provide a much-needed steer.  I know, I know…While I’m typing away here, I know that many of you are thinking – the Bible and its verses should be our only motto. Expressing the full sufficiency of Christ should be the greatest song in our hearts.  I am not undermining the all- important role that the Word of God plays in our spiritual and physical well-being, but I fully believe that God use people to inspire us too…

From Rudyard Kipling’s “The Jungle Book” with its story of Mowgli and his wolves comes the captivating slogan: “For the strength of the pack is the wolf, and the strength of the wolf is the pack”.  From the movie “Toy Story” comes the motto “To infinity and beyond”, and Nemo encourages us to “Keep on swimming!” From famous philosophers like Johann Wolfgang Goethe, we get thoughts like: “Treat people as if they were what they ought to be, and you help them to become what they are capable of being.”  And then, of course, let us not forget the motto of the Olympic Games – “Faster, Higher, Stronger”, from Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the Games.

On posters, on coffee mugs, and in daily planners, Michael Jordan reminds us, time and again, how many shots he missed.  Nelson Mandela reminds us to rise no matter how often we fall.  And Albert Einstein reminds us of all sorts of things about our mind’s potential.  But Michael Jordan isn’t a legendary basketball player because he missed a lot of shots.  He is famous today because he demonstrated great technique under pressure.  And that goes for Mandela, Einstein, and every other famous public figure, athlete, and human being – they changed their words into action.

Feel-good sayings alone don’t create true success, true change, and true impact – actions do.  It’s easy to hang a motto around your neck to earn a point in a Fitness Challenge and say you’ll pursue a dream.  Yes, that part is super easy.  But real empowerment lies in leading by example, showing what’s possible, and moving from talking to doing.

In her book “Sacred Contracts”, the American author Carolyn Myss writes: “Intention without action is useless.”  A motto doesn’t telegraph your weaknesses, but rather it defines your intention.  It’s a promise you make to yourself, and when you share it, it becomes a statement of intent.

…A motto is a saying you ink on your soul, and with a motto, you give your story a title…I guess, what I’m trying to say today is this – what do you want your legacy to be?  Words, while important, are fleeting.  Your life will become your story.  So, let your actions be your true voice.  It’s not just about dreaming; it’s about doing.

So, let’s live a good story.  And let’s “Carpe” our “Diems”!

“May the Force be with you!”

Yours in fitness

Mirna
082 779 0507