Keepin' It Real: 10 Powerful Positive Mantras To Say Without Falling Into A Positive Toxicity Pit

July 23, 2023

Affirmations, or positive self-talk, have long been touted as a powerful tool for personal growth, self-improvement, and overall well-being. By repeating positive statements about ourselves and our lives, we can help reprogram our subconscious minds and overcome negative beliefs and self-doubt. However, in recent years, a new term has emerged: toxic positivity. This refers to the overemphasis on positivity and the invalidation of negative emotions, which can be harmful and dismissive of genuine struggles and difficulties.

It's important to note that we are not mental health professionals, but rather individuals who have struggled with negativity in our own lives. Through our experiences, we've come to realize that finding balance is key to achieving long-term well-being. This involves being realistic about our circumstances, acknowledging both positive and negative emotions, and practicing patience with ourselves and others.

Additionally, we've found that incorporating principles of stoicism, such as focusing on what we can control and accepting what we cannot, has helped us develop a more grounded and resilient mindset. While we recognize that each person's journey is unique and may require different approaches, we hope that sharing our experiences can offer some insight and support to those who may be struggling with similar challenges.

By striking a balance between positivity and acceptance of reality, we can harness the true potential of affirmations to foster true personal growth and well-being.

We can find wonderful metaphors in Japanese culture:

Kintsugi

Kintsugi, the ancient Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold-laced lacquer, beautifully embodies the concept of balancing the good and bad. Beyond its practical purpose, this technique has evolved into a profound metaphor for embracing imperfection and acknowledging the scars that life leaves behind. In kintsugi, shattered ceramics are not discarded, but rather meticulously reassembled, with the delicate veins of gold emphasizing the fractures and highlighting their history. This art form teaches us to find beauty in the flawed, to appreciate the value of experience, and to cherish the lessons learned from both the good and bad times. By celebrating the imperfections rather than concealing them, kintsugi demonstrates that embracing our past, with all its joys and sorrows, can lead to a profound sense of balance and acceptance within ourselves.

Black & Gold Buddhas

Black Buddha statue with Kintsugi gold cracks.

The black Buddha statues present a fascinating duality, symbolizing both darkness and light, hate and wisdom, ignorance and truth. In one aspect, the black hue can be seen as an embodiment of anger and negativity, representing the struggles and challenges that we all face in life. It serves as a reminder of the darker aspects of the human experience, acknowledging the existence of suffering and ignorance in the world. On the other hand, the black Buddha is a profound representation of transformation and clarity. Like a diamond formed under immense pressure, the black Buddha signifies the potential for change and growth that emerges from adversity. It embodies the idea that even in the darkest moments, there is an opportunity for wisdom and truth to emerge. By acknowledging and integrating the shadows within ourselves, we can attain a deeper level of self-awareness and transcendence, finding enlightenment and embracing the profound teachings of the Buddha. In this way, the black Buddha statue serves as a powerful symbol of the human journey towards inner peace, resilience, and spiritual enlightenment.