The Power of Perspective: From “Have To” to “Get To”
Every week, three times a week, I head to the gym. Like many of us, I sometimes feel the pull of excuses; the busy schedule, the long day, the nagging thought of “I have to go to the gym.” But at the end of every class, my trainer says something that always sticks with me:
“You are lucky to be able to move your body. You are lucky to lift weights, to do yoga, to spin. Never take it for granted.”
I always appreciated her words because they were motivating, but I never fully understood the depth of them. Until last night…
She shared her story: 15 years ago, she broke her neck in an accident. She dove into a lake, not realizing the water was much shallower than expected. The break was the same type Christopher Reeve suffered. But unlike him, her spinal cord wasn’t severed. She spent months in a halo, determined to recover. She was told she would be lucky to be back in action within a year. She defied the odds, she pushed, she worked, she rode a stationary bike while wearing a 30lb halo screwed into her skull, she made a full comeback.
Suddenly, her reminder made perfect sense.
Everyday Blessings We Overlook
Her story made me stop and reflect. How many things in our daily lives do we see as burdens instead of blessings? How often do we grumble about what we have to do, instead of celebrating what we get to do?
You don’t have to go to work on Monday…you get to go to work.
You don’t have to finish that project…you get to grow, contribute, and create something meaningful.
You don’t have to train the new employee…you get to shape someone’s path and share your knowledge.
And if you’re fortunate enough to lead a team, you don’t have to manage people…you get to inspire them, guide them, and impact lives.
A Shift That Changes Everything
This simple shift in language from “have to” to “get to” changes everything. What once felt like a chore becomes a privilege. What once weighed you down begins to lift you up.
We are surrounded by blessings every day. Some come wrapped in joy, others disguised as challenges. Some we notice right away, and some we complain about without realizing they are gifts in disguise.
Pause and Pay Attention
So here’s the invitation: pause, pay attention, and reframe your perspective. The ability to move your body, to contribute at work, to lead, to love, to grow—these are not obligations. They are opportunities.
When we stop saying “I have to” and start saying “I get to,” gratitude rushes in. And gratitude has a way of reshaping not only our outlook but also the energy we bring to every moment. Because at the end of the day, the truth is simple: we are lucky to be alive and to have what we have!.