Here’s an interesting way to view the world. Instead of taking things for granted, take a moment to appreciate what we have. Flip the things you don’t want to do on their heads and be thankful you are able to do them.
When my daughter was in college, sometimes she drove an hour from campus to my husband’s childhood friend’s church, CenterPoint Church in Orem, UT. My hubby’s friend grew up to be a pastor. As a mom, I was thrilled that she took the time to go to church, visit family friends, and decided to do this all on her own!
I remember when she texted me, “This was just what I needed. The sermon’s message was ‘I don’t have to, I get to!”
I remembered this message because I had a week that was less than spectacular. I was kicking in the pool one day, because I didn’t feel like walking. I normally walk for 45 minutes to an hour every single day. But I was lazy and thought a dip in the backyard pool would be a nice change.
The next day, I was limping and in pain. It’s the top of my foot that hurts, where I was hitting the water. I talked to my daughter about it and she said because I haven’t been swimming in awhile, my feet weren’t used to the stretch needed to kick. She suggested icing and elevating.
I tried walking the next day and couldn’t. I’ve spent five days without being in the pool or taking my daily walks. My sleep has been awful. I haven’t been a happy camper.
So, now I understand that it’s not a chore to swim or go for a daily walk. I’m grateful for the opportunity. “I don’t have to, I get to!”
What things are your grateful to do that others might see as a chore?
It’s simple advice but it really does change your entire perspective. I get to!
Yes! I got to walk this morning. I’m a changed person after limping for a week.
Funny how a little perspective can change our minds for us!!! 🤣🤣😎😎
Yes!
I often remind our son of this. He will grumble when it’s time to take the dog out and I point out not every kid has a dog our gets to walk him. We need to remember how lucky we are!
Good advice! Someday taking out the dog will be a great memory.
What things are your grateful to do that others might see as a chore?
Cooking meals, watering plants, folding clothes. I’m lucky to have food to eat, plants to grow, clothes to wear, and I am mindful of this fact.
That’s awesome! I remember being grateful to vacuum every day because I had a home and a nice vacuum 😊
That’s me when I exercise…repeating the word gratitude when I want to give up. I have so many friends and family members who are physically unable to work out. It gooses me forward. 🥰
I understand after taking most of the week off. I went for my first walk since my foot hurt at 5:30 am and did not grumble!
I do my physical therapy exercises at home now during the summer. They are tough but the 30 minutes 5 x a week, I have the time and I am able to do them!
and they absolutely make me feel better!
I do the exercises to strengthen my right hip and it works, mostly and the pug gets down on the ground with me.
I love that! We had a yellow lab and a cat that would get on the ground and imitate me whenever I did stretches and crunches.
Right now I’m grateful that I have the time and ability to shop, plan and prep meals for the week and avoid standing in my tiny, stuffy kitchen as the days get warmer and warmer! I pre-make salads and a few other items and then just reach in the fridge and eat. It reminds of being a working mom and how hard it was to have to come home, figure out and then fix dinner every night. I would have enjoyed working more if I had taken on this “prep and grab” philosophy a long time ago 😉
That’s a good idea, especially in the summer. My kids prep their food each week. I think it helps them be organized and save time after work.
After years of physically not being able to, I’m now grateful that I can kneel down to scrub the toilet and grout, and lift dishes into the cabinets. As Ally mentioned, I’m also alway grateful to be able to prepare healthy food.
Definitely your illness would change your perspective on little things that you can do now and couldn’t before.
Oh wow, that’s a great idea to flip that. Amazing perspective change.
I was doing a bunch of weed pulling in my yard this weekend and it was stirring up my allergies. Definitely needed a perspective shift for that!
Thanks, Elizabeth! Happy Monday!
Pulling weeds was definitely a chore my mom had us do in the summer time! I agree a perspective shift would be needed for that.
I love this, Elizabeth. I get to. 🖤
Thanks!
A great perspective to have. Thanks for the reminder!
👍🏼
I get to walk the dogs, picks fresh salad greens from my garden, cook healthy and tasty meals.
Hope your foot feels better now!
It is somewhat better. Improved enough for a 5:30 a.m. walk! I am jealous of walking dogs and fresh salad greens from the garden. I miss those days growing up north of Seattle where everyone had vegetable gardens.
Great thought. Love the Cardinal.
I just recently was talking with a friend about a problem her youngest was experiencing, and the work of Frankl came up, so it was on my mind as I read your post. He said “When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” You don’t just say it, you walk the walk!
Thank you. What an incredible saying from your friend.