Mantras

These are the things I say to myself sometimes:

"I don't have a voice."

"No one hears me."

"I'm an idiot."

"I can't do this [hard thing]."

"They don't care."

"I'll never recover."

They're mantras. And for a long time I played the victim to them. I would say them. Agree with them. Believe them. I was a much more active participant than most victims.

I have different mantras that I use when I'm paying attention:

"I didn't use my voice, but I can."

"They didn't hear me, but someone does."

"That was an idiot move, but I can do better."

"I haven't done this [hard thing], but I can and I will."

"They might not care, but someone does."

"I haven't yet recovered, but I will."

What are your mantras?