I don’t know if I have one main motto!
There are a lot that appeal to me, and I’ve blogged about a number of them.
“You don’t get to choose the cards you’re dealt, but you do get to choose how you play them.”
“You don’t need whiskers to do that.”
My personal motto
A motto? I don’t think I have anything formal. Although I say (and think), “This too shall pass,” somewhat frequently. Right now, I think that a lot, as my 3-year-old daughter is going through the phase of losing her mind over nothing. Three has been WAY more challenging with her than two . . .
Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.
I keep trying to have the personal motto “Just take care of it.” Kind of like “get ‘er done” except less Larry-esque. I’m not terrific at just dealing with things as they come up — walking past the one or two things that could easily be put away, or doing the dishes right after the meal, or thawing the meat the first time I think of it, or writing the note to my aunt, or picking up sticks — often any of this instead of scrolling or reading! — etc., etc., etc.
“Keep trying” is probably the de facto motto. Ha.
simpler is “do it now’
This one is actually on my vision board right now. I tend to procrastinate.
This one help me: “Action is the antidote to anxiety”
I love that. I have not heard it but have felt it many time.
‘Tomorrow is another day’ thank you Scarlett
‘Do, or do not, there is no try’, thank you Yoda
Plus the famous/infamous ‘it is what it is’ thank you Jesus Lopez a Spanish colleague who’s accent made it much more effective!
If in doubt, eat vegetables
This sounds depressing but at the age of 1 week from 84 It comforts me:
“We thank with brief thanksgiving whatever Gods my be that no life lives for ever, that dead men rise up never. That even the weariest rive winds somewhere safe to sea.”
To counter balance this I often recite Robert Frost:
“the woods are lovely dark and deep
But I have promises to keep
And miles to go before I sleep”
The first is written by a Victorian British poet whose name has slipped my memory for the moment– oh the joys of old age…
Mine came from Flylady and I use it to combat my perfectionism:
“Sometimes good enough is good enough.”
Oh dear, should be “weariest RIVER”. I hope this was obvious.
…and my sister frequently loves to recite, with a grin:
They told him it couldn’t be done
So he went right to it.
He tackled the thing that couldn’t be done
And…he couldn’t do it.
None of all this relates to my religious side, pre-Vatican 2, which is old style Catholic and runs deep.
It’s only temporary.
That has gotten me through some real challenges.
“What’s a motto?”
“Nothing, what’s a motto with you?!?”
LOL
My cousin has a good twist on an old phrase….”it might look like a mountain, but you will soon realize it is molehill”
Just put one foot in front of the other. This works in all sorts of situations, getting big projects done, coping with a severe illness, and so on.
Chip away.
(Like, no one eats a sandwich all in one bite. One bite at a time)
Mine is let’s get on with it. Meaning, let’s quit beating around the bush and get stuff done. Also, I like work first, then play.
Do the next right thing. (from Elisabeth Elliot)
1. From an old English parsonage, down by the sea,
There came in the twilight a message for me;
Its quaint Saxon legend, deeply engraven,
It has, seems to me, God’s teaching from Heaven.
And on through the hours the quiet words ring,
Like a low inspiration: “DO THE NEXT THING.”
2. Many a questioning, many a fear,
Many a doubt has its quieting here.
Moment by moment, let down from Heaven,
Time, opportunity, guidance are given.
Fear not tomorrows, child of the King,
Trust them with Jesus. DO THE NEXT THING.
3. Do it immediately; do it with prayer;
Do it reliantly, casting all care;
Do it with reverence, tracing Christ’s hand
Who placed it before you with earnest command,
Stayed on Omnipotence, safe ‘neath His wing,
Leave all resultings. DO THE NEXT THING.
4. Looking to Jesus, ever serener,
Working or suffering, let this be your demeanor.
In His dear presence, the rest of His calm,
Let the light of Christ’s countenance be your psalm.
Strong in His faithfulness, praise and sing!
Then, as He commands you, DO THE NEXT THING.
My life is not hard by any means, but dealing with elderly parents and especially an extremely difficult mother with a degenerative brain disease is definitely a challenge, which I am not up to most of the time. I keep this in mind. Don’t worry about years, days, months, from now, just do the next right thing right now.
In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: it goes on.
-Robert Frost
“The only way out of the burning house is through the fire”. This one has helped me at times when I’ve needed to be brave.
“Done is better than perfect.” This one helps me move when adhd perfectionism is paralyzing me.
“Life is what happens when you’re making other plans.” This one helps me accept…well, life!