They are used in worship, conferring blessings and prosperity for ourselves and others.  Almost all religions and spiritual traditions recite a close form of the "Om" sound, the most famous mantra, in its prayers or meditations:  "Amen" for Christians; "Om" for Hindus; "Ameen" for Islamics; "Shalom" for Jewish meditations. 

Mantras are traditionally believed to possess great spiritual power, as they are used as tools for spiritual development and personal transformation.  Today, we all use mantras every day, even though we might not be aware of their use.  "Stay calm," for example, is a mantra that helps us stay focused in stressful situations.  Modern mantras of today are powerful and affirming phrases that help us deal with problems, live life to its fullest, and just get us through whatever life throws at us.  They vary from culture to culture and individual to individual, because some contain wisdom ("Life isn't about finding yourself, it's about creating yourself"), some have special meaning to the person using them ("Take what you can use and let the rest go by"), some inspire us to be better people ("Life is what you make it"), and some are important truths that help us keep our lives balanced and healthy ("It's the little things that count"). 

Other great modern-day mantras:  Breathe;  If It Ain't Broke, Don't Fix It;  This Too Shall Pass;  Follow Your Dreams;  Leap and the Net Will Appear;  Bloom Where You Are Planted;  Peace;  Every Path Has Its Puddle;  Every Wall is a Door;  A Friend Loves At All Times;  Scatter Joy.

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