Mantra Chants

This list is a collection of "phrases" I find myself constantly repeating, sometimes on a daily (hourly) basis. The list keeps getting longer, and longer, and . . . There ARE more; I just can't remember all of them at one time.

I’m keeping track of them for my posterity’s sake - just on the off chance that my own children forget how MANY times they’ve heard them muttered.

They are usually accompanied by slow, deep breathing techniques; therefore at their first printing I dubbed them my “Mantra Chants”. Then I somehow came across a new word that I didn’t know - - Rumination. Upon further investigation, Rumination seemed SO much more appropriate – especially the second definition – so henceforth and forever (or until I change my mind again) they will now be called – Renee’s Ruminations!

Main Entry: ru·mi·na·tion
Pronunciation: "rü-m&-'nA-sh&n
Function: noun
The act or process of ruminating:
a: obsessive or abnormal reflection upon an idea or deliberation over a choice.
b: the act or process of regurgitating and chewing again previously swallowed food (or words!)



1. NEVER say Never!
2. It may be cute when they’re two, but it’s NOT funny anymore when they’re 6!
3. Everything works - - for about two weeks.
4. I’m the boss here . . . I’m the boss here . . . I’m the boss here . . .
5. At least they aren’t out on the streets somewhere causing trouble!
6. Where did all those years go?
7. Let sleeping babies LIE!
8. Everything - EVERYTHING – is Mom’s fault!
9. But it was on sale!
10. I’d write a book, but who would believe me!
11. Take them in and let the Doctor decide if it’s really “nothing.”
12. Trust – but verify.
13. If you lose it, just buy another one. Then, and ONLY then, will you find the first one.
14. We’re making memories, Dad.
15. Have I taught them enough?
16. It can ALWAYS be worse!
17. I haven’t permanently maimed any of my kids, yet - unless of course you want to be picky and start including psychological issues.
18. The best defense is a good offense
19. Every time you open your mouth, you’re just handing somebody ammunition.
20. Never let them see you sweat.
21. We abhor in others what we detest most in ourselves.
22. It’s not “fun” anymore if someone is crying.
23. Simple pleasures for simple minds.
24. Heavenly Father never said it would be easy… He only said it would be worth it!
25. “Why?” is a mother’s road to insanity. Instead ask, “How?”
“HOW on EARTH did you DO this?”
26. You don’t hide your actions, unless you know they are wrong.
27. “The essence of humor is brevity.” - - William Shakespeare
28. Any communication – given with the intent to deceive - is still a lie!
29. Is that REALLY worth your eternal salvation?
30. Fool me once, shame on you – Fool me twice, shame on me!
31. I may never like it, but I can learn to live with it.
32. If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all - - Thumper’s Dad.
33. Before you start blaming everybody else, ask yourself this:
“What could I have done to make this situation different?”
34. NO more animals - - when these ones go, that's IT!
35. I can't do or be everything for everybody, and MY family HAS to come first.
36. Sticks and Stones may break my bones ~ but words can break my heart.
37. Nobody can "do it all." Something somewhere falls apart, and it usually starts with your family.
38. I can’t fit everything I want to do into one season of my life, but isn’t that what eternity’s for?
39. Why does learning from trial and error always mean that I make errors, followed by trials?
40. They may have all been unplanned, but they were NEVER unwanted!
41. Don’t ask your kids a question if you aren’t prepared to hear their answer.
42. There are 4 cars parked in front of our house – 3 of which aren’t working –
and you want to do WHAT to the only one that still runs?
43. If I miss a meeting then there will have been something at that meeting that could have changed my life.
44. When we pray for answers we need to put ourselves into places where those questions can be answered.
45. TMI…TMI…TMI…
(YES – there really can be Too Much Information! - - Especially when dealing with Boy Scout campouts!)
46. “Throw – Don’t Go!” (I can’t save someone else if I’m drowning myself)
47. I can do hard things.
48. I may not be done – but I’m finished. (Steve Puklin – ENG101)
49. What doesn’t kill us, makes us stronger? (Who says so?)
50. Two feet at a time…just two feet at a time.
51. It Mattereth Not. Alma 61:9
52. What caused the Grand Canyon??? WATER!!!
To be continued . . .