Thankful: Replacing “I Have To” With “I Get To”

One trick that I picked up these year was to replace “I have to” with “I get to” when I start feeling tired, stressed, and grouchy. It’s a simple way to remind myself to be thankful for many of the everyday things we “have” to do. Here are some recent examples:

I get to wake up in the middle of the night to soothe a crying child.
I get to make a healthy(ish) dinner in between school homework and various activities/lessons and worrying that the kids get enough sleep.
I get to maintain my older house from peeling paint, broken appliances, overgrown trees, termites, and other pests.
I get to clean dog poop off in the cold rain after he steps in it without me realizing.
I get to make a budget, search for points redemptions, and compare prices for our upcoming summer vacation.
I get to drive back to school again to drop off a forgotten lunch or school project.
I get to help my parents with a mundane tech support task.
I get to remember to call my friend on their birthday.
I get to fly on a crowded plane across the country with young children to visit family for the holidays.
I get to worry about getting all of our estate planning affairs in order.

There are so many things that I “get” to do because I am healthy and able-bodied, live in a safe area, have a reliable source of income, and have a loving family. I’m always surprised at how easy it is to take such things for granted when you get engrossed in your own situation.

Happy Thanksgiving and I remain thankful for you as a reader! I hope that you find yourself surrounded by some of your own blessings this weekend.

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Thankful: Replacing “I Have To” With “I Get To” from My Money Blog.