Turn “Have to” into “Get to”

An excerpt taken from “The Daily Stoic” by Ryan Holiday, July 3

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“The task of a philosopher:  we should bring our will into harmony with whatever happens, so that nothing happens against our will and nothing that we wish for fails to happen.”

Epictetus, Discourses, 2.14.7

A long To Do list seems intimidating and burdensome- all these things we have to do in the course of a day or a week.  But Get To Do list sounds like a privilege- all the things we’re excited about the opportunity to experience.  This isn’t just semantic playing.  It is a central facet of the philosopher’s worldview.

Today, don’t try to impose your will on the world.  Instead see yourself as fortunate to receive and respond to the will in the world.

Stuck in traffic?  A few wonderful minutes to relax and sit.  Your car broke down after idling for so long?  Ah, what a nice nudge to take a long walk the rest of the way.  A swerving car driven by a distracted, cell-phone-wielding idiot nearly hit you as you were walking and soaked you head to toe with muddy water?  What a reminder about how precarious our existence is and how silly it is to get upset about something as trivial as being late or having trouble with your commute!

Kidding aside, it might not seem like it makes a big difference to see life as something you have to do versus get to do, but there is.  A huge, magnificent difference.”

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How you view one thing is how you view ALL things.  How often do you think to yourself “I HAVE to do ……”   It mentally puts a burden on you that it is a chore, something you don’t want to do and puts it in a negative light.  Now turn it around and say to yourself “I GET to do….”  This is all positive, beneficial, supportive and motivating.  So do your HAVE to work in the yard or do you GET to work in the yard and make it look good, maintain a nice neighborhood, allow you to get some fresh air and maybe visit with your neighbors next door.  Keep this is mind with your self talk and make a point to reframe your thoughts for the better.  It will change your perspective for the better.   (And yes it works on ” I GET to do burpees!”

SCHEDULE for the week Monday GYM CLOSED, Tuesday-Friday 5am, 6am, 4:30 pm, 5:30 pm.  Saturday 8 am.    We missed it last week so we will do FIRST FRIDAY FUN at Snow Peak Brewing this FRIDAY July 8th at 6:30.

WORKOUTS THIS WEEK- POKER, Push press/jump rope, T2B/Lunges, squat/situp/row, pullups/ring dips.  Go to the 4th of July Fun Run Monday for a 3k walk or 5k/10k trail run, it starts at 9 am.

Here is this week’s PALEO recipe

Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken