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Gratitude for "have to"

6/13/2020

When you say "I have to ...." change it to "I get to ..." see – and claim – your responsibilities and obligations as privileges and opportunities... Notice how this can awaken and strengthen a sense of good fortune, compassion, and gratefulness.

From Gratefulness.Org

The Practice

Write down five things that you feel you have to do this week; things that are “responsibilities.” Begin each statement with the words, “I have to…” For example: wash dishes, pay bills, buy groceries, go to bed early, take medicine, commute, call someone, go to work, take care of someone, etc.
Now, underneath the first list, write those same five things, but instead of the words “I have to,” begin each statement with the words: “I get to…”
When you finish both lists, notice how different it feels to think that you get to do something versus you have to do it. How does this impact the energy you bring to each item on your list?
Throughout your day, notice how often you say or think the words, “I have to…” and try to catch yourself and substitute “I get to…” Try to also notice how much other people use this language. Experiment with beginning to see – and claim – your responsibilities and obligations as privileges and opportunities.
It can actually be quite powerful to understand many of our opportunities as privileges. It can deepen our awareness of our privileges if we consider our options in a relative context. To facilitate this, try adding this ending to each “I get to…” statement: “…when so many people cannot.” Notice how this can awaken and strengthen a sense of good fortune, compassion, and gratefulness. How might awareness of your privileges — and the fact that so many people don’t share them — move you to act?

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