The other day at work I heard something that really struck me. In a conversation about New Year's resolutions:
"I've resolved to say 'I get to' instead of 'I have to.'"Wow. What a simple way to change an attitude. I've been thinking about it ever since.
For example,
I
have to get to go to the grocery store. I have the means to buy food for my family, and furthermore, I have the power to make decisions about what food to buy. I can pick up a bag of kettle chips, see what novel citrus fruits are there this week, maybe find a great deal on manager's special organic free-range meat.
I
have to get to work out. I am blessed with a young, healthy body that I can control. I have access to safe places to exercise. I get to feel my body work as I push myself. I can make myself become stronger, faster, healthier.
Or even something like this: I
have to get to call this patient and tell him he has diabetes. If someone has to call with bad news, I know I can be kind and reassuring while I deliver it.
Think about these...
I get to work. I get to give a speech. I get to go to the doctor. I get to go to a funeral. I get to buy a present for someone. I get to write thank-you notes. I get to stop eating so much sugar. I get to cut back on spending. I get to pay my taxes.
Not that I think people should actually SAY some of these things. After all, it's socially inappropriate to say things like "I get to go to a funeral." But I still like the thought exercise. Even the mundane and unpleasant things can have a silver lining when you change that one word.
2 comments:
I like this a lot. I tried it out at 3:30 this morning when someone a few feet away from my head was creaming bloody murder for no reason. "I GET to hear my son crying because he has healthy lungs". It actually really helped, thanks for posting.
that should read "screaming"
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