GREAT Morning SQUAD!
“Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance.” – Eckhart Tolle
Last Sunday, I found myself getting anxious at the thought of the week’s tasks in front of me. The narrative looping in my head sounded something like this: “I have to wake up at 4am on Monday to teach yoga. I have to drive down to San Diego immediately after to visit a client. I have to prep to speak in front of 800 interns. I have to go to the grocery store to buy food. I have to attend my therapy appointment on Friday at 4pm.”
It’s easy to see a day’s task as a boring chore, even if it is really an opportunity we are happy to have. But this mindset makes it nearly impossible to live in a state of gratitude when we don’t recognize and give thanks for the privileges we have.
As I continued to give energy to this negative phraseology, I came to a profound realization… I don’t have to do these things. I get to do these things. “I get to wake up at 4am on Monday to teach yoga. I get to drive down to San Diego immediately after to visit a client. I get prep to speak in front of 800 interns. I get to go to the grocery store to buy food. I get to attend my therapy appointment on Friday at 4pm.”
Whenever you catch yourself starting to complain, replace “I have to” with “I get to.” In doing so, we are instantaneously able to change our approach and our attitude as gratitude ensues. This is a simple change that can remind us to be thankful and happy throughout our days for the things we normally take for granted.
Think about all of the things you “have” to do today. Now imagine that your doctor just told you you had 1 month to live. Suddenly, most of those things on the “have” to list seem like an outright blessing. Anytime you are feeling overwhelmed by your work or family, or stressed out by your absurdly long to-do list, take a moment to step back from it all and appreciate your impermanent, delicate, beautiful presence here on earth.
Enjoy what comes of today!