What Do You Get To Do?
I am sure that I am not unique in that I often look at a day or a week or a moment, and my mind flows through all of the things I have to do. I have to do the laundry, I have to take a walk before it rains, I have to pay the bills, I have to go to the bank and the grocery store were just some of my afternoon litany. Surely, you know the drill. When I get caught in one of these cycles, wondering how in the world I can get all of this done, it is often helpful to me to re-frame the statements. I just change all of the have to’s to get to’s.
This was magnified for me today as once again I learned of the death of a friend this morning. It was not unexpected, but was shocking as these things are. We all have losses, many of which feel so magnified at this time of the year. Just pause for a moment, allow yourself to pause - really - and think about those people that you know who are no longer with us.
So, as I was walking today in the beautiful woods, hoping to beat the rain, I noticed my thoughts, remembered the woman who passed who was not able to experience the day, and switched on my “get to” switch. I thought of my own precious minutes and how lucky I was to get to walk in the woods and feel a bit of mist on my skin. The rushing water of the streams was particularly beautiful, and the melodies of the falling water exquisite. My shoulder had a bit of a pain, and I thought about what a privilege it is to be able to feel that pain. And, wow, the bills! What an amazing opportunity - to have the abundance to pay the bills and the technology of the computer to make it easier. For me, that “get to” switch can be powerful!
I know from experience that I will move through this remembering and then forget again and hopefully will remember again, as it is with practice.
How would it be to move through your day seeing your to-do list not as a have to list but as a get to list?
Copyright 2022 Nancy C Murray
Nancy C Murray is a practitioner of shamanic energy medicine, Reiki master, joy professor and spiritual leader. She leads public and private yoga classes and healing sessions, transformational courses, and also retreats and spiritual journeys.
Ironically, I noticed that I wrote another blog in 2020 with the same title. This one with a completely different focus. If you want to read that one, click here.
