Palm Springs, CA
What’s the easiest way to begin your mornings with Moxie? By becoming aware of the power of your words.
Do your mornings begin with a litany of “I have to’s?” I have to get up. I have to go to work. I have to get the kids to school. I have to work out. I have to catch up on social media. You get the picture.
I know mine sure have…until recently.
I was taking an evening class. It was a Science of Mind Course centered around prosperity. On the last evening of class, Dr. Moira, our instructor, asked us to become aware every time we began a thought or a sentence with “I have to.” The idea was to question ourselves – to question our language.
“I have to” implies a duty, a responsibility. It also means you’re telling yourself that you have no choice. You’re powerless. But, the truth is you’re not.
Reframing our language is one of the quickest ways to reframe our life. What if you don’t “have to” do that particular something…you don’t have to walk the dog, you get to walk the dog…you don’t have to go to yoga class, you get to go to yoga class…you don’t have to go to work, you get to go to work!
When we tell ourselves that “we have” to do something, our brain automatically interprets that as a negative. There’s instant resistance. Over time, this can lead to a feeling of dread.
When we change our language to a positive reframe, “I get to,” we instantly remove the resistance, the pressure…we also remove the negative frame and add positive energy to our intention. Our daily life becomes a reward!
It wasn’t long ago that I was extremely limited in what I could do on a certain day.
Today, that’s not the case. There aren’t any limits on what I can do. There are only limits on what I tell myself I can do.
When we replace “I have to” with “I get to,” we shift from a space of negativity to one of gratitude. We begin to see life through a new lens, a lens filled with an endless possibility of choices to fill our days.
Haven’t you had that experience of complaining about your job? Dreading your job? And, then, one day you lose that job only to wish you had it back. You begin to think about the job you lost in a new way. You miss your co-workers. You miss the income. You miss your favorite coffee shop you would visit on your way to work. You miss getting dressed up in the morning with a purpose. How about that relationship you complained about? That boyfriend who wasn’t quite good enough? The one who found a new girlfriend only for you to see him through a new set of eyes…eyes that were more like the rose-colored lenses you peered through when you first met. You look back on the relationship in a whole new way. You miss those mornings you would wake up in his arms. You miss the weekends where you would hang out and watch movies on the sofa. You miss having someone to hold you on those difficult days…a shoulder to cry on…a safe space to land. You get the picture.
I sense we’ve all had those moments in our lives. Moments that rocked our world. Moments that shifted from an “Ugh…I have to” to an Oprah Aha, “Yahoo…lucky me…I get to!”
Life is really simple. It’s us humans who make it all kooky and complicated. Life is what we make of it.
The glass is half full or half empty. It’s the same glass.
Life is half full or half empty.
Life is a series of moments.
When we string together a life filled with “I GET TO!” moments, our lives begin to look differently. We begin to feel differently. We shift our energy. We fill our life with Moxie.
You don’t have to fill your life with Moxie.
YOU GET TO!
20 comments
Helen C Greenwell
I love this, Catherine! You nailed it – the words we use make all the difference!
Catherine Grace O'Connell
They do don’t they sister???
Melinda Riling
I GET TO vs I HAVE TOO….I can’t wait to share with my hubby…He needs this as well! Thanks so much!
Catherine Grace O'Connell
So simple isn’t it?
Janet
YEs!!! so true and I took “should” out of my vocabulary too!
Great post!
xo Janet
Catherine Grace O'Connell
No more “shoulding” on ourselves, right sister???
patricia
Love “GET TO! vs HAVE TO”; another one I love is there is a one letter difference between bitter and better: move forward with a happy face!
Catherine Grace O'Connell
Isn’t that so much better???
kim
I am going to remember this “I get to”…..
thanks Catherine for another get Moxie Monday
Catherine Grace O'Connell
I’m so glad my friend. Big XO!
Rebecca
Brilliant. You know how much I am into self – talk Catherine. I love the I Get to…
Will practice this each day. How uplifting.
Catherine Grace O'Connell
I know you are sister. Talk about a Midlife woman filled with Moxie!
Sandra Sallin - Apart From My Art
That’s a very empowering idea. Thank you.
Catherine Grace O'Connell
Thank you sister! I appreciate you.
Amy Lynne Kennedy
Great thoughts… I am thinking about reinvention and its good to consider these things carefully before taking those steps!
Catherine Grace O'Connell
You are doing a beautiful job of rewiring my friend.
Sarah aka badassbabyboomer
👏👏👏😘
Catherine Grace O'Connell
Thank you, Sarah!
Jules Jones
Thank you ! My new favorite phrase .
Catherine Grace O'Connell
The best news ever!!!