The "Social Circle" is a group effort between readers, social networkers and the OnMilwaukee.com editors. Every Monday, we ask a question via Facebook and Twitter and then post the responses from our Facebook "likers" and Twitter followers in this column. Well-known Milwaukee movers and shakers will contribute, too.

This week, OnMilwaukee.com asked the Social Circle members to share their mantras. The responses ranged from "gratitude" to "no wire hangers!"

What’s a phrase that you live by?

Sophia Gatti Barry: "It's always a good time. (Me and my hubs look at each other and say this, especially in challenging circumstances. It always brings a smile to our faces.)"

Stephanie Bartz: "Time is precious. Waste it wisely."

Steph Davies: "Choose adventure."

Jim Draeger: "How am I not myself? From 'I Heart Huckabees.'"

Melissa Merline Gleason: "Don’t be a dick."

Ken Hanson: "Stay cool. Stay focused."

Jenny Steinman Hayden: "Just keep swimming."

Betsy Holmes: "Breathe in faith, breathe out fear."

Holly Jefferson: "there’s always a kinder, gentler way."

Young Kim: "Do unto others before they do unto you."

Tommy King: "Duke, duke, duke, duke of Earl, duke, duke, duke of Earl. Duke, duke …"

Kent Knapp: "Be the ball."

Shannon Knapp: "Get it hot. Hit it hard."

Matt Krajewski: "No wire hangers!"

Maud LaMarche: "This too shall pass. It's not real; it's just work. It's their bad day, not mine."

Stacy La Point: "Do your best, prepare for the worst, expect nothing."

Jason McDowell: "I practice the ABCs of bike commuting: Always Bike Commute."

Gretchen Mead: "We are the ones we’ve been waiting for."

Loyal Mehnert: "Adventure awaits."

Paul Oemig: "If you give enough, the taking will take care of itself."

Russ Pracieduz: "Keep on truckin’."

Maria Raboin: "Screw it / you. (Not you personally, that's my mantra.)"

Anita Reed: "Things can always be better. You only die once. We become what we tell ourselves we are. Words are powerful."

Paul Schmitz: "Serenity prayer."

Richard Schwalb: "Where there’s life, there’s hope."

Stephanie Sherman: "DO IT."

Tia Simoni: "Gratitude."

Tracy Sparrow: "Anything is possible. Everything will be OK."

Toni Spott: "It’s all good!"

Monica Thomas: "Think loose thoughts."

Ruth Weill: "Humanity gets in the way of perfection."