In this world we live in, we often feel like there are many things we have to do. The moment we declare there is something we have to do, we often resent, avoid, or don’t enjoy the particular thing. What if I were to suggest there is actually nothing you have to do, but lots of things you get to do? Would that change things? I believe so.
It’s been a long time since I’ve been to the dentist, too long in fact. Finally, after noticing a little hole appearing in one of my teeth, I decided it was time to bite the bullet, and so I booked an appointment. Going to the dentist is one of those things we say ‘we have to do’. Let me offer another perspective.
I was having lunch with my dad and his partner Annette last weekend, and the conversation turned to dentists and teeth. My dad, coincidentally, was also having a dentist appointment during the week. Annette then explained what her grandfather did to his children. What she told me was actually quite jaw-dropping, pardon the pun. Her grandfather decided that as dental care was going to be inevitable, and expensive, he would save hassle and money and have all of his children’s teeth removed while they were young.
Yes, I told you it was jaw-dropping. So, Annette’s mother, brothers and sisters all had their teeth extracted and lived their lives with no teeth, using false teeth only. Wow, talk about a perspective builder. How grateful am I that I have a little plaque build-up, and maybe a hole or two in my teeth? How grateful am I that I actually have my teeth and that I can go and get them looked after at the dentist?
So, as I was about to say to myself, I have to go to the dentist, I stopped. I realised, I don’t have to go to the dentist at all, I get to go to the dentist. I choose to go to the dentist. I’m grateful that I am able to go to the dentist. In an instant, the thought of going to the dentist changed from a terrifying thought, to a very comforting and exciting one.
The reality is that I don’t have to go to the dentist, I don’t even have to look after my teeth. If I don’t care about the condition of them, I don’t have to do anything. Therefore, I get to look after my teeth, and I get to go to the dentist. Trust me, that is an incredibly empowering thought and attitude which applies to everything.
Have you ever said, I have to go to work? You don’t have to go to work at all, you can live without money if you choose to. Have you ever said, I have to get up and exercise or go to the gym? No, you don’t have to do that at all. If you want to live your life in an unhealthy way, that’s your choice. You don’t have to eat well, resolve conflict, show compassion, forgive others, save your money, invest wisely, smile, look for the positives in life, or anything else for that matter. Trust me on this; everything you do is because you ‘get to do it’ not because you ‘have to do it’.
The second you adopt the attitude that you get to do something, then you will feel in control, you will feel empowered, and you will feel excited. I want to encourage you, with everything that you do, to feel and believe that it’s something you get to do. It’s not something you have to do.
My two podcasts this week will really help you in this area and with this mindset. In my podcast with Arlene Miller called The jewel within, we talk about the options you have so that you get to strengthen your inner talk, your inner self, and your inner strength. In my podcast with Angelo Valenti called The easy way, you will learn that life doesn’t have to be so difficult. You’ll get to apply some very simple ideas and principles that’ll help make life flow in a much easier way.
Every day there are things you will do. If you believe you have to do them, there will be resistance, maybe even resentment. If you believe you get to do them, then you will do them with joy, with gratitude, and with ease. Enjoy everything you get to do this week.