# Who's got a mantra? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 25, 2007, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-got-a-mantra/427721 "2007-11-25T19:12:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![RedRosesForMe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/91b2a8/32.png) [@RedRosesForMe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedRosesForMe)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2007, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-got-a-mantra/427721/1 "2007-11-25T19:12:03Z")
I want one. I’d like something to focus on while I do yoga, and something to calm me down when I get anxious or upset. But I also don’t want to feel like an idiot (like rubbing my earlobes and repeating “Woosah” a la **Bad Boys II** ). So, if you’ve got a mantra, let’s hear it. ---
**Author:** ![Genital\_Warthog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/edb3f5/32.png) [@Genital\_Warthog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Genital_Warthog)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2007, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-got-a-mantra/427721/2 "2007-11-25T19:56:29Z")
I take mine from the movie _Loose Shoes:_ You only need three things in life. Tight pussy, loose shoes and a warm place to shit. ---
**Author:** ![11811](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/1/9d8465/32.png) [@11811](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/11811)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2007, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-got-a-mantra/427721/3 "2007-11-25T22:33:29Z")
[QUOTE=RedRosesForMe] I want one. I’d like something to focus on while I do yoga, and something to calm me down when I get anxious or upset. But I also don’t want to feel like an idiot (like rubbing my earlobes and repeating “Woosah” a la **Bad Boys II** ). So, if you’ve got a mantra, let’s hear it. [/QUOTE] Mine is straight from the master Steve Winwood: Roll with it. ---
**Author:** ![Rasa](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rasa/32/3578_2.png) [@Rasa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rasa)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2007, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-got-a-mantra/427721/4 "2007-11-25T22:46:56Z")
The Bene Gesserit Litany Against Fear works well for me, though I’d not call it my mantra: \* I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain. \* Now where’s my bound concubine and Mentat assasin? ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2007, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-got-a-mantra/427721/5 "2007-11-25T22:52:07Z")
I used to use _Joy, health, success_ ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2007, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-got-a-mantra/427721/6 "2007-11-25T22:53:20Z")
I like “Be the cicada.” There was another Dope thread where someone came up with it–the “if you were a murderer in a slash movie” thread. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2007, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-got-a-mantra/427721/7 "2007-11-25T23:03:43Z")
You can’t change people. You can’t hit people. (repeat) I also liked this one from the Bible so much, I had it tattooed on my leg (not the text, the chapter and verse notation) > [@2 Corinthians 12:10](#): > > Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. ---
**Author:** ![Aioua](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/87869e/32.png) [@Aioua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aioua)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2007, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-got-a-mantra/427721/8 "2007-11-25T23:19:48Z")
Two, both lyrics from Cloud Cult. \*Where I’ve been, and where I am, is the show. You can take it in stride, or you can take it right between the eyes. Suck up, suck up and take your medicine, It’s a good day, it’s a good day to face the hard things.\* ---
**Author:** ![RedRosesForMe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/91b2a8/32.png) [@RedRosesForMe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedRosesForMe)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2007, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-got-a-mantra/427721/9 "2007-11-25T23:26:02Z")
[QUOTE=Zoggie] I like “Be the cicada.” There was another Dope thread where someone came up with it–the “if you were a murderer in a slash movie” thread. [/QUOTE] I saw that, actually, that’s what made me think of this. I don’t know if it would work for me, though it is fun. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2007, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-got-a-mantra/427721/10 "2007-11-25T23:30:38Z")
“I extend compassion to all fucking stupid sentient creatures” works well for me. ---
**Author:** ![Creaky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e68b1a/32.png) [@Creaky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Creaky)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2007, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-got-a-mantra/427721/11 "2007-11-25T23:44:54Z")
Mine is, “Don’t be such a big damn baby!” It may sound harsh but it works, at least for me. ---
**Author:** ![beckwall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b487fb/32.png) [@beckwall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beckwall)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2007, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-got-a-mantra/427721/12 "2007-11-25T23:52:11Z")
“May I be peaceful and at ease” works for me. From a Jack Kornfeld book, think it’s _A Path With Heart_. ---
**Author:** ![JThunder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2007, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-got-a-mantra/427721/13 "2007-11-26T00:00:28Z")
I don’t need a mantra. I don’t need a mantra. I don’t need a mantra. I don’t need a mantra. I don’t need a mantra. I don’t need a mantra. I don’t need a mantra. I don’t need a mantra. I don’t need a mantra. I don’t need a mantra. I don’t need a mantra. I don’t need a mantra. I don’t need a mantra. I don’t need a mantra. I don’t need a mantra. ---
**Author:** ![abbeytxs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@abbeytxs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/abbeytxs)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2007, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-got-a-mantra/427721/14 "2007-11-26T00:09:03Z")
“Anything you can do, I can do better. I can do anything better than you.” I only use this one when I am on the tennis court though. ---
**Author:** ![maggenpye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecc23a/32.png) [@maggenpye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maggenpye)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2007, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-got-a-mantra/427721/15 "2007-11-26T01:09:06Z")
“This too, shall pass” If things are bad, or even if they’re ridiculously good, it just reminds me to focus on the long term goals. ---
**Author:** ![brazil84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8491ac/32.png) [@brazil84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brazil84)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2007, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-got-a-mantra/427721/16 "2007-11-26T01:38:05Z")
The skeptic’s prayer: God if there is a God, save my soul if I have a soul, from Hell if there be a Hell. ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2007, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-got-a-mantra/427721/17 "2007-11-26T01:39:53Z")
Owah-tagu-siam ---
**Author:** ![Grey\_area](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Grey\_area](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grey_area)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2007, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-got-a-mantra/427721/18 "2007-11-26T01:44:46Z")
“Why not me?” Not mine personally but heard it from an interview with a kid who is a self-made teenage millionaire. It’s a good one I thought. ---
**Author:** ![Sapo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Sapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sapo)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2007, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-got-a-mantra/427721/19 "2007-11-26T01:45:37Z")
I tried “They are doing the best they can” for a while. Didn’t quite pan out. I felt like I was lying to myself. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2007, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-got-a-mantra/427721/20 "2007-11-26T01:49:49Z")
Oogah-chakah. Ooogah, oogah,oogah-chaka. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-got-a-mantra/427721.md?page=2)