I GET TO

Ever since it came out, friends have been recommending I read Mel Robbins book Let Them. They said how good it was and I’d love it. And I meant to, I really did. I even found myself holding it in my hand a few times at stores. I couldn’t explain it, but every time I looked at it, held it in my hand, something inside me frowned and I would put it down and walk away.

I finally figured out why. I’m not living for them. I don’t know who they are. And I don’t want to. They do not factor in. Not into my day. Not my plans. Not my future. Not my mindset.

I’m building an I get to life. For me. For we. For us.

It started with the house. After years of living in what I considered a rather plain house, from the exterior, it was really important to me to have a house and yard that welcome me home. One that makes me really proud every time I pull up into the driveway and look up at it. One that makes me smile as I approach and say in my head, “I get to live here!”

I have that house now.

As I thought about my house this weekend, I realized, this is what I’m building in other areas of my life.

I get to spend time in my beautiful yard, weeding, mowing, planting – all things I enjoy.

I get to sit on my porch watching the squirrels, rabbits, deer and birds, listening to the neighborhood children playing, shouting and laughing.

I get to work with a team of smart, kind, and happy professionals who are fun to be around. I get to have this job that challenges me and allows me to create new programs and get out into the community and meet new people every week.

I get to decide how I want to spend my spare time. I get to play my piano any time I want. I get to read books all weekend if I’d like. I get to meet with friends and join community activities.

I get to live in a sweet little town, filled with friends, history, nature, activity.

I get to see my children and my mother on a regular basis and enjoy hearing their successes, their losses, and celebrating special moments together.

I get to walk to my gym, to stores and restaurants, or just throughout the neighborhood.

I didn’t get this life by accident. I planned for it. And I have more things I want to add to my I get to life. And the fun part? I get to make plans to add more amazing things to the wonderful life I’ve built.

So, no offense to Mel, but they can go take a flying leap. I get to spend my time thinking about, and building, more happy and beautiful things that I can share with the people I care about. Me. We. Us.