Your life’s mantra
In society today there is not a store or office, a Facebook feed, or Pinterest board where you do not see some kind of quote or mantra. These quotes and mantras are seen so often because people connect with them.

Most stories behind someone’s quote or mantra are connected to the “why” that drives them to their passion. Each person has a mantra and a “why” to their life which grounds them.
It's ok if you are still trying to figure out what your “why” is or if you decide to change your mantra 10, 20, even 50 years down the road. Even if you are not able to articulate your mantra or “why” quite yet does not mean you do not have one. This post is to empower women to follow their life mantra, “why”, and passion in life.

My own mantra which has only became clear in the last year is “bloom where you are planted”. I choose this as my own mantra but also as my “why”. It is my “why” because I believe everyone can bloom where they are planted given the right resources and mentors they need in their life. This philosophy has lead me to work in the nonprofit field and have a heart for helping.
To see how varied individual mantras and “whys” are I asked the following three questions to a few friends:
- What's your mantra?
2. What's your “why”?
3. How has your mantra and “why” affected your life?
These were the following responses I received from asking those three questions:
Mackenzie-
“One of my favorite quotes is “Do what you can with what you have where you are.” -Theodore Roosevelt I keep this printed out where it hangs by my desk. This quote is powerful to me for many reasons. First of all, it reminds me that I have something to offer and contribute. I have specific talents and skills that I can use to benefit society, my organization and my family. It also reminds me that I need to be positive! There are so many things I wish I could learn and improve about my life. I think that we should always be improving as individuals, but we have to remember that we have to start somewhere. This quote reminds me to start today with what I have and offer the best where I can. This quote has helped me to work harder, to never make excuses and to grow!”
Amy-
“What’s your mantra? My Mantra is more of a question to self. Every day I ask myself “How was I kind? How was I brave, and how did I fail?” This is actually a line of questioning child psychologists urge mothers to ask their children. Well, I think it’s just as important to ask yourself as an adult. I ask myself this “mantra” to hold myself accountable. Every day we must be mindful of our actions and decisions; keeping our effect on our community in the forefront of our minds. By community, I mean our partners, our peers, our neighbors, and our society. As young, female, nonprofit leaders we must be brave every day. We must speak up for the voiceless, make the hard decisions, and always go high even when others go low. We must be kind as what we do does not happen in a vacuum. We affect our community more than we know. Most importantly we must hold ourselves accountable, learn from our mistakes, measure our successes and failures, and most importantly grow from that information.”
Hannah -
“I would say my mantra is “Happiness. Compassion. Love. And service.” I strive to have a career and vocation that makes me happy and fulfilled as well as use my abilities to help the lives of others. I strive to live a life full of positivity, creativity, and laughter”
Finally, don't fret if you read this and feel like do not have a mantra or “why” it takes time to create. However, if you already have a mantra or “why” share it with someone.