I get to...

Reading from Wednesday, December 10, 2014 yoga class

I buy cards online from a place called "Cards by Anne."  They are SO nice.  She sends out email newsletters.  This is from her December newsletter.  She begins it with the following quote:

"Try pausing right before and right after undertaking a new action.  Even something simple like putting a key in a lock to open a door."  Br. David Steindl-Rast

"We have officially entered the Season of I have to...as in: I have to shop for gifts, I have to wrap presents, I have to decorate the house, I have to address my Christmas cards, I have to call Aunt Mildred about the holiday menu.  All of these have to's can add up to a pile of stress.

What if we replaced the words have to with get to?  As in, I get to shop for gifts, I get to wrap presents, I get to decorate the house, I get to call Aunt Mildred.  This simple language substitution changes the tenor of the list, transforming it from stress inducing to one filled with appreciation for the opportunity to complete the tasks at hand.  We can step back and consider all of the people who would be thrilled to have money to buy gifts, to have loved ones for whom they wrap presents, to have a house to decorate.  You get the idea.  I'll be trying to replace all of my have to's with get to's in the coming weeks."

Great advice!!