Beyond Live Laugh Love: What is Your 3-Word Mantra?

We all have them. Words that we hear or read that inspire, motivate, and make us want to live our lives in a more positive way. In order to remember them in the course of our hectic day, we may repeat them over and over in our minds or even utter the words out loud. These become our mantras.

What is a Mantra?

In the context of meditation, a mantra is a repeated word, phrase, or sound that is used as a focus for concentration. Its purpose is to calm the mind and promote a state of focused awareness. What immediately comes to mind is the powerful om chant pulsating from deep in the lower abdomen. This simple mantra is said to be the original vibration of the universe which may explain its popularity in the western world since the counterculture of the 1960s.

Yet, the concept of a mantra has also been adopted in more recent self-help and personal development circles. In this context, a mantra is a positive affirmation or phrase that individuals repeat to themselves as a form of encouragement, motivation, or focus. It can serve as a reminder of personal values or goals and is often used to cultivate a positive mindset.

Sometimes a truly inspiring mantra such as Live, Laugh, Love is so good that it becomes a ubiquitous cliché found on everything from wall art to body art, losing some of its meaning along the way. Nonetheless, this is still a good one in my book and I find the message quite simple:

Live in the moment and make the most out of life. Embrace life and all of its experiences.

Laugh loud and often. Find humor in life and enjoy moments of happiness and laughter.

Love and be loved. Engage in meaningful relationships and show kindness and compassion to others.

A message like this is always relevant in our lives. However, there may be times when another mantra is better suited to our current ambitions, hopes and dreams.

Here are some other three-word themes for you to consider:

✦ Love, Forgive, Grow

✦ Peace, Love, Serenity

✦ Believe, Achieve, Succeed

✦ Embrace, Empower, Inspire

✦ Mindful, Resilient, Strong

✦ Courage, Strength, Wisdom

✦ Health, Happiness, Balance

✦ Gratitude, Abundance, Joy

Choose something that aligns with your personal goals and desires in your current stage of life. While I initially focused on “Believe, Achieve, Succeed” during my career-building phase, I now prioritize the latter two. “Health, Happiness, Balance” helps me stay focused on maintaining a healthy lifestyle through nutritious food and regular exercise while also allowing myself to enjoy life to the fullest. My mindset continues to change as I navigate through midlife and retirement. More and more I feel gratitude in my life for the love around me in my kids and grandkids.

These types of mantras may not resonate with everyone. Some will find them to be overly positive and unrealistic. In such cases, a prayer or a famous quote can be more effective in helping us regain our focus when we feel overwhelmed. Pay attention to whatever inspires you and keeps you centered. Sometimes a few words can make a big difference in the direction of your day or perhaps overall happiness.