Author: somthinboutmary

We all know the power of words. We’ve experienced love, joy, sadness, anger, even redemption, clarity, and isolation through words. We learn from words, regardless of their medium. We even find solace and strength in them.

Though I’ve turned to words for a while, specifically in words people had written and that I wrote myself. It wasn’t until a few years ago that I found true power in words + repetition, specifically in the power of saying things 3x.

I began the practice of mantras. I said them daily, helping me to save myself from myself. I found my power. 

These words have power, which has led people to wonder if it’s witchcraft. See for yourself.

My Mantras

A couple of examples of my mantras can be found below. They all revolve around one word – “am”. I believe in being and utilizing am to stay in the present.

• I am strong.
• I am brave.
• I am wise.
• I am love.
• I am giving.
• I am kind. 
• I am calm.
• I am safe. 

Of course, my inner cynic could not get on this bandwagon without laughing, rolling my eyes, and making me feel like a complete fraud. But, as these things happen, life got a lot harder and these words started to have more meaning.

Then one day, I realized I was saying them to get through a particularly difficult journey home. 

Not so funny now.

Words Over the Centuries

Growing up in the house and culture I did, I used to find prayer helpful. “Holy Spirit, guide me on this test.” “St. Anthony, please help me to find my lost ____.” “St. Andrew, reveal my future husband.” “Guardian Angel, stay by my side this night, for I am frightened.”

I admit I stopped believing. But again, there is a natural balance in the world and once again, things got hard and my refuge was prayer (though I felt guilty about it). Then things got good and I stopped. 

This cycle has come and gone for most of my late teen years to my adult life.  Now, I’m in a bad cycle, given the state of the world and the uncertainty and loss I had felt from these past few months. Then I started using these particular sets of words, and it helped. 

So I pray to St. Michael for strength, St. Anthony for my loss, St. Jude for hope, St. Mary Magdalene for faith, and the Holy Spirit for words. 

As is the promise, I must publish the words that have been spoken for centuries.

Say and believe these words. Find solace. Then pass them on. 

Prayer to St. Anthony (1200’s?): Lost Things

Blessed be God in His Angels and in His Saints.

O Holy St. Anthony, gentlest of Saints, your love for God
and Charity for His creatures made you worthy when on
Earth to possess miraculous powers.

Miracles waited on your word, which you were ever ready to speak for those in trouble or anxiety. Encouraged by this thought, I implore
of you to obtain for me (request). The answer to my prayer
may require a miracle. Even so, you are the saint of miracles.

O gentle and loving St. Anthony, whose heart was ever full
of human sympathy, whisper my petition into the ears of the
sweet infant Jesus, who loved to be folded in your arms, and
the gratitude of my heart will ever be yours.

Amen.

Prayer to St. Jude (100’s?): For Hope in Desperation

O Holy, St Jude!
Apostle and Martyr, great in virtue and rich in miracles, near kinsman of Jesus Christ, faithful intercessor for all who invoke you, special patron in time of need; to you I have recourse from the depth of my heart, and humbly beg you, to whom God has given such great power, to come to my assistance; help me now in my urgent need and grant my earnest petition.

I will never forget thy graces and favors you obtain for me
and I will do my utmost to spread devotion to you. Amen.

St. Jude, pray for us and all who honor thee and invoke thy aid.
(Say 3 Our Father’s, 3 Hail Mary’s, and 3 Glory Be’s after this.)

This week has been all over the place. From connections to deeper connections, this week has been a whirlwind. I go through so many periods of being lost. I should be a cartographer.

Yada, yada, yada.

I was lucky to attend a free screening of “Blindspotting” last night at LACMA that was followed by a Q&A of Barry Jenkins, Daveed Diggs, and Rafael Castel. It was powerful and inspiring and everything people need to see now. It was good in many ways and again, so appropriate in these turbulent times. I love the narrative, I love the hip-hop wove into the narrative, I love the rhythm of the actors, and I love the layers of all of it. It’s funny. It’s dark. It’s stressful. It’s sad. It’s good.

Following all of that was a poetry group of kids that nailed living in a place that’s being gentrified. The girl behind me was snap snapping away and I felt the need to snap too but also like everyone would know I’m a snap virgin. She had a great lewk too. I’m kinda obsessed with all these people. The director of the film program was also there rocking the evening. She said it was the first film they’d done so I’m curious to see where this program leads.

The fact that it was a free press screening/audience reaction plus the writers and actors being interviewed by Barry Jenkins was a YES from me. LA, I don’t love you like I used to but you go and do things like this and I wonder how entwined our destinies will be.

Three Songs That Define This Week – It’s Only Tuesday *cries in Spanish*

 

Yeah, yeah. Two posts. Big whoop. I’m feeling the feels tonight and I don’t know how to stop it.

I’m slightly overwhelmed. Student loans. Moving to LA. Watching as my family grows old. Missing him (I know, that one is stupid and silly but I can’t help it. I almost bought him something the other day and sometimes I find things that I want to share with him. I want to write out a message but I stop myself. I’d like this feeling to leave me in peace. But I don’t feel that I’m ready to move on. No one compares. Sometimes I think that maybe that was the best and I should at least be happy it happened. I am happy it happened, but I wish I didn’t still feel so raw.). Maybe it’s the idea of him – at least, that’s what I tell myself. I miss my friends. I miss my dog (even though he lays beside me).

There’s so many people I want to help and so many things I need to do. I feel like I’m running out of time.

The world feels like it’s burning faster and longer than ever before. I used to know what to do. I used to have so much hope. Maybe I still do. But I don’t know for how long. I do know that having all of that hope was an incredible feeling. It was easy to find solace there.

I’m scared to see what November holds. It’ll be one year since that. It’ll be two years since that other thing.

One thing is certain – I need to forge a new path. I need to keep looking forward. There’s nothing left of the past that can truly fuel me anymore. Sure, I can use it as a reference point. I can use it as a guide. But what lies ahead is much more important now. The world is changing. Time is speeding up. I’m getting closer to the end and there’s much to do.

Oh, hello! I know, I know. I’ve been a bit MIA (also my code name when I was working at an airport and couldn’t find time to call my boss back – true story!). You may be wondering what news I bring. Well, I’ll tell ya. Not much. I’ve been promoted at work so that’s good. I’ve bought a wig. A lilac wig with long, flowing, curls. I’ve dated some less than savory characters who come in disguise. I’ve reconnected with some old friends. I traveled to both coasts. I’ve found some light again. I’ve seen old things in a new way. I officially became a year older. I’ve learned the true meaning of letting my torturer become my remedy. Oh, and I’m kinda into anime now. Cool stuff.