universal themes

We remind ourselves to watch what’s happening within and around us with curiosity and an open mind.

We remind ourselves that the best effort is just what’s needed and relaxed.

We remind ourselves that there's goodness within and around us.

We remind ourselves that we can be flexible and creative even in challenging situations.

We remind ourselves that mindfulness is a mirror of what's happening now.

We remind ourselves to view what we think, feel, say, and do through a wise and kind perspective and respond to our own thoughts and feelings with wisdom and kindness, too.

We remind ourselves that we can tolerate strong emotions and hold back from reacting to our thoughts, feelings, and sensations.

We remind ourselves that we can compose ourselves even when we feel stressed, overly excited, or upset, and we can hold back from reacting to a situation before thinking it through.

We remind ourselves that we can resist getting sidetracked from the present to observe, listen, and be fully engaged in what’s happening right now.

We remind ourselves that it often takes time to see the results of our own and other peoples’ efforts.

We remind ourselves that even things that seem different from one another have something in common and that there is more than one side to every story.

We remind ourselves to reflect on why we’re about to do or say something before we do or say it, to make sure that the our purpose is aligned with our motivation.

We remind ourselves to focus more on the goodness of what we’re doing than on the results.

We remind ourselves that the conditions for joy and happiness are here all the time, happening all by themselves, and that we can tap into them at any time.

We remind ourselves that what’s happening in this moment is the result of countless interdependent factors, some of which we know, some of which we don’t know, and some of which are entirely outside of our control.

We remind ourselves that everything comes, everything goes, and everything is in flux.

We remind ourselves that we can step back from any situation, view it from another person’s perspective, and imagine how they feel.

Before responding to or judging a complex situation, we remind ourselves to consider whether what’s happening and our possible response are helpful to other people, the planet, and us.

We remind ourselves that we can tolerate uncomfortable situations and feelings and that we can stay clearheaded and warmhearted in any situation.

We remind ourselves that we have the capacity to understand what something looks and feels like from another person’s perspective and to respond to them wisely and with kindness.

To see what’s happening within and around us clearly, we remind ourselves to step back and take a look at the big picture with an open mind and without jumping to conclusions.

We remind ourselves that what we do and say will affect other people and the planet, and what other people say and do will affect the planet and us.

We remind ourselves that we can watch, listen, sense, interpret, and respond to what other people say and do so that we see and understand them, and they feel seen and understood.

We remind ourselves that we can choose where to place our attention, and we can keep it there.

We remind ourselves that we can hold back from reacting to what’s happening within and around us so that we can investigate it with an open mind.

When we remember to appreciate our relationships, health, good experiences, belongings, and the natural world, we see that appreciation is a cause and effect of happiness.

We remind ourselves that we can’t know or control every cause or condition that leads up to each moment. Our motivation is one thing that we can control, though, and we can do our best to speak and act in a way that’s wise and compassionate.