“Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues but the parent of all others.”
Cicero
One of my mentors and friends has a sentence she says regularly that embraces the concept of living a grateful life: “We get to do this.” It’s such a simple statement, but it’s packed with meaning. Every time I hear it, my heart warms, and I’mreminded of how blessed I am.
Think about that for a moment. We get to do this. Not “we have to,” or “we’re obligated to,” but we GET to. It’s a profound shift in perspective. Instead of viewing our work, challenges, and responsibilities as burdens, this simple sentence reframes them as privileges. The fact that we are here, capable of doing the work we do, pursuing the goals we’re passionate about, and walking the paths we’ve chosen is something to be deeply grateful for.
It’s easy to get lost in the daily grind. To see only the demands, the stress, and the obstacles in front of us. But when we pause and say, “We get to do this,” everything shifts. Gratitude steps in, and suddenly, the things we took for granted become sources of joy. We realize that the work we sometimes dread is a gift—an opportunity to contribute, grow, and make a difference.
This idea of shifting from “I have to” to “I get to” is deeply tied to gratitude and has profoundly impacted my life. I’ll never forget when this shift became more than just an idea for me—it became a way of living.
It all started the day I began keeping a gratitude journal. Like most people, I had heard about the benefits of gratitude for years, and in general, I was a very positive individual. Still, when I put pen to paper, I really began to understand how gratitude changes everything. Every evening, I would sit down and reflect on the day, asking myself, What gift have I received today? It didn’t have to be something huge—sometimes it was as simple as a good conversation or a hot cup of coffee. But pausing to reflect and then writing it down made all the difference.
At first, it felt like a small, almost insignificant exercise. But over time, something extraordinary happened. I started to see my life through a different lens. Those moments I would have overlooked or taken for granted began to have meaning. Even on the tough days—the ones filled with stress and frustration—I could always find something to be grateful for. And that changed everything. Gratitude became my foundation, the lens through which I saw the world.
But it wasn’t just about me. As I kept asking myself, What gift have I received today? I also started to ask, What gift have I given to others? Gratitude isn’t a one-way street; it’s about giving and receiving. When I began actively looking for ways to give—whether it was offering a helping hand, sharing a kind word, or simply being present for someone—I found that my sense of gratitude deepened. Giving became its reward, and I felt more connected to the people around me.
And this is where that simple statement from my friend—“We get to do this”—shines. The more I write in my gratitude journal, the more I realize how true those words are. We get to do this—this work, this life, this journey. It’s all a gift, even the parts that don’t always feel like it.
Gratitude isn’t just about appreciating the good—it’s about reframing the challenges, the hard work, and even the struggles as part of a life filled with opportunity. It’s easy to get bogged down in the day’s demands, but when you shift your perspective, you start to see the gift in it all. That’s what gratitude does. It turns “I have to” into “I get to.” And that shift changes everything.
Think back to a time when what you have today seemed like an impossible dream. Maybe it was landing that job, starting that family, or finding peace amidst the chaos. Gratitude helps us see that what we once longed for is now our reality. And it’s so easy to forget that. That’s the power of gratitude—it brings us back to what matters, reminding us that we are living the blessings we once prayed for.
So, start a gratitude journal. It doesn’t have to be complicated. Write down three things you’re grateful for at the end of each day. It could be as small as a smile from a stranger or as big as a significant achievement. The key is to get in the habit of recognizing the gifts you’ve been given, and soon enough, you’ll start to see them everywhere.
If you want a deeper dive into a gratitude-filled life, I highly recommend The Gratitude Diaries by Janice Kaplan. The book beautifully illustrates how a gratitude-centered life can transform every aspect of your existence—from your career to your relationships and even your sense of self.
And remember, the next time you’re feeling overwhelmed or stressed, pause for a moment and remind yourself: We get to do this. What a gift that is.
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