In place of New Years resolutions, I have focused on personal intentions or mantras to be my guide. Having a phrase or word to aspire to has helped ground me and guide my actions and thoughts toward that desired way of being. The past two years my mantras have been grace and self-compassion, and during difficult moments I can’t describe how helpful it was to take a breath and fall into those words to reset my actions and self-talk.
As we witness the devastation from the fires in Southern California, accept the new political administration, and navigate other conflicts both internal and external, I have been feeling the need to focus on mental fortitude and equanimity. Mental fortitude is a term my amazing husband introduced to me during a conversation where my head was spinning with the difficulties near and far, real and projected. Like fortifying the walls of a castle, think of fortifying the walls of your mind…it’s the psychological strength to persevere through challenges or when facing uncertainty without letting anxiety or negativity overwhelm you. Just like with physical fitness, developing mental strength and fortitude is within our control. And like fitness it’s not a one-time effort, but something we work at on a regular basis -- cultivating healthy habits, coping strategies, and positive thinking patterns in the face of adversity. Equanimity is a state of calm and even mindedness during difficulty or stress and is considered a key virtue in Eastern religious traditions, especially Buddhism, where it is cultivated through mindfulness practices. Essentially, it means being able to observe experiences without being overly reactive or attached to them. It's not apathy or indifference, but moving beyond the "good vs. bad" mindset by accepting all experiences with a neutral perspective - letting things be as they are, right now, without judgement or trying to control what happens next. With equanimity, we can develop a more spacious relationship with our experiences and navigate life's challenges with balance and grace. When I think of mental fortitude and equanimity some actions that come to mind include:
This is a loaded list in support of mental fortitude and equanimity, and I am hopeful that when facing difficulty this year I will take any one of the above actions to connect me to these two mantras of mine. With mental fortitude and equanimity I believe we can better handle whatever comes our way with calm, confidence, and grace.
2 Comments
Vanessa Biers
1/26/2025 07:57:52 pm
This is a very powerful message, and one that I know I will need this year. Thank you for sharing
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Andrea Notch Mayzeles
1/28/2025 02:34:08 pm
Thank you Vanessa!! Am here for you xxo
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AuthorHello and welcome! My name is Andrea Notch Mayzeles. I am a Certified Health Education Specialist, Mom, and Master of Public Health dedicated to the path of well-being. As a wellness professional I am committed to continued learning and am here to share research, recipes and musings on health, psychology, personal development, and parenting. I hope you enjoy! Categories
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