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Hi Gail, My father was a farmer and a tradesman (blacksmith, welder, mechanic, carpenter, telephone lineman, catskinner, miner, blaster, cook) in his multifaceted lifetime. Your "Get to / Have to" story reminds me of a lesson he taught me when I was about 5 years old. My uncle, the lawyer, had visited in his new car, new city clothes, and other obvious signs of affluence and had emphasized to my older siblings and myself that if we studied and worked hard we too could become lawyers instead of having to look after cows, 'n goats, 'n ducks, 'n turkeys, 'n chickens etc. In my 5 year old innocence I asked my father why he hadn't worked hard and become a lawyer. Without a second's thought he said "I don't HAVE TO milk these cows, slop these hogs, gather these eggs..... I GET TO! Now your uncle... he HAS TO be a lawyer. Someday you will understand." I have had this reinforced by my father's attitude many times over the years.... I miss him! So Gail, thank you for reminding me.... murray I GET TO have Parkinson's.... <it's working> :-) ********* On 1 Feb 2001, at 11:48, Gail Vass wrote: > "GET TO" > > A teacher told us about "Get To", and I just can't get it off my mind. > > She told us that we walk through life making choices. Some of them > are good, and some of them not so good, but hopefully we learn something > from all of them. She told us that night a little about attitude and > how it affects us. She gave us a hand out called "LIFE IS AN ATTITUDE" > and walked us though Accountability, Tenacity, Truth, Integrity, Trust, > Understanding, Dedication, and Excellence. She also told us that we > cannot choose what happens to us, but we can choose our attitudes toward > each situation. > > If we walk through life on the path we have chosen feeling as > though we HAVE to do this or we HAVE to do that, eventually we might > feel overwhelmed. She then told us about changing our attitude and > looking at the opportunities presented to us each day. If we look at > those opportunities or challenges with a "GET TO" instead of a "HAVE TO" > we might enjoy the journey just a little bit more. > > She challenged her class to make a conscious effort over the next > couple of days to exchange the words "have to" with "get to" in our > conversations with friends, co-workers, and family, but most of all in > my thoughts, and something amazing happened. I noticed all the things I > "GET TO" do and started appreciating the opportunities and challenges on > my path. > > Just imagine: > I get to go to school to fulfill my dream. > I get to go to work when so many people can't. > I get to do the laundry, thankful for a washer and dryer. > I get to play with my cat who is so thankful for the attention. I > get to say a prayer, I have freedom of speech. I get to remember the > things that make me happy. I get to spend time with a friend, who > needs my help. I get to read a book, I still have my sight. > > I give you a challenge. With every thought and conversation for > the next day or two, change the words "I HAVE TO" with the words "I GET > TO" and see if it makes a difference in your day. > > -- ************ [log in to unmask]