Energy flows. Focus on your thoughts and desires to make it happen.

One of the most powerful ways to bring an idea or desire to life is to focus our thoughts and words on it.

Energy flows where attention goes, and the more we repeat something the more true it feels.

So the words we roll around our head all day matter. In fact, on a very real level, our thoughts actually create matter.

The thing is, when we’re not being mindful about the hamster wheel we’re spinning around thoughtlessly in our heads again and again, we’re often bringing more of what we don’t want to life than what we do.

Every time we focus on lack (“There aren’t any good people to date out there, I don’t have enough time or money …”), we reinforce lack in our lives.

Of course, the beauty of this is the opposite is also true.

The more abundance and possibility—and yes, love—you focus on, the more you’ll get to experience those things as your reality.

These positively reinforcing bundles of words are known as mantras—one Buddhist definition of which is “mind protector.” Mantras help carve healthy and nurturing grooves into your brain, which translate into healthy and nurturing relationships in your life (including with yourself).

So you can think of the mantras below as love-inviters and self-protectors; as simple but powerful ways to attune your energy to a love frequency that radiates out in oh-so-attractive ways into the world.

Here are five love-inviting mantras to repeat to get you started:

1. I trust that the perfect love is already on its way to me and will arrive in the perfect way at the perfect time. I’m ready to receive this love with open arms now.

The more you can get your controlling ego out of the way, the more easily love can flow to you.

2. I am fully capable of giving and receiving love now.

One limiting love belief our minds can trick us into believing is that we’re defective in some way that makes us incapable of love. That’s utter B.S—and it’s time to let your mind know it.

3. I hereby release anything and everything that is blocking the flow of love and abundance to me now.

Clear the channels for that beautiful new relationship to flow to you.

4. Even though I (messed up in some way or perceive this flaw in myself), I love and accept myself completely.

The more you practice unconditional love for yourself, the more you’ll be able to create and receive it in your relationships.

5. I am stepping closer every day to the joyful, loving partnership I’ve always wanted.

Reinforce to your mind that you’re taking powerful action through your inner work and mindful dating to manifest your ideal loving relationship.

Mantras work as much as you work them. So the more you “rinse and repeat” with your favorite go-to’s, the more momentum they’ll pick up. And if the mantras above don’t quite hit the spot for you, play around until you land on a few love-happy phrases that feel potent to you.

As long as the words hit your gut and heart in a way that turns that inner love light on, you’re on the right track. Trust yourself in your mantra experimenting process.

Then lather yourself up with these little love magnets and let the love flow.~

~MELISSA MAHER