Every day in the shower, I tell myself quietly: “You are a thinker. You are a teacher. You are a philosopher. You are a writer. You are a learner”

Saying these words felt weird at first. However, with time it became routine, like much else in life.

I repeat this at least twenty times a day. Some days I believe in it. Other days, disbelief hits me hard in the face. However, I repeat it nevertheless. It is a habit now.

I am not sure why I feel the need for it. Perhaps, it is my deep love for the five words -thinker, teacher, philosopher, writer and leaner.

Hearing these words frequently gives me pleasure. I also develop an intimate association with them and a deep sense of responsibility for my everyday thoughts and actions.

I carry myself -naturally- in the manner one expects from a philosopher or a thinker. It makes me think harder about the world.

It does not, of course, mean that I did not think before. I have always been curious for as long as I can recall, but it was more implicit.

In the past few years, I have become more explicit to myself about my intellectual aspirations. Now I feel even more motivated to read more and become more learned.

I will continue with the mantra and keep sharing any exciting thoughts that come up in the future. I would love to hear about your daily mantras in the comments.