I have a mantra.

mantra

1.  hinduism, a word or formula, as from the Veda, chanted or sung as an incantation or prayer.

2.  an often repeated word, formula, or phrase, often a truism.

(from dictionary.com)

---

---

Listen. Create. Sweat. Be kind. Give back.  Be open.  I think of these nine words as my personal mantra. Not exactly a philosophy of life, but the things at the this-is-who-I-want-to-be finish line.  And the finish line is my carrot at the end of a stick...always moving toward it, but won't ever actually get there and be able to say, for example, "ok, I listened, that's done!"  

These words emerged a few years ago when I needed to write something at work for a semi-regular email communication to our donors and community of supporters.  It wasn't a fundraising communication, but a 'let's stay in touch' communication.  We're an organization (Progress Inc. in Nashville, TN) that supports people who have disabilities to be their best selves.  I started thinking about what being 'your best self' means for every person; what did it mean to me?

My best self is a combination of things that are so important to me that without them I would be an altered/lesser version of myself...create, sweat, give back...and things that I respect and aspire to but am absolutely not accomplished at yet...listen, be kind, be open.  For me, these nine words cover a lot of ground; I want to write about each separately over the next few weeks.  What I'm really curious about today though, are the words that define and challenge others...you?  Share!