I do get to

 

 In a peaceful mood

Acrylic on canvas

18 x 18 inches

Barbara Muir © 2010

(We had a wonderful model tonight

at my art group.  She was an

actor, a minister, a lawn bowler,

and a great person.  Everyone

created super paintings.  I am

happy with mine.)

One of my blog friends just reminded me of the
"have to",  "get to" transformation.  Thanks
Marilyn.  You are so right.  I'm working with a
long list of could be "have to"s that I just
converted to "get to"s, and I felt the panic
subsiding, and happiness flooding into my
brain synapses where all important changes
are processed.  Yep.  I get to.  I get to
finish marking, I get to teach, I get to paint,
I get to go to art class, I get to get my snow
tires on first thing in the morning, I get to
go to school in snow probably.  I get to laugh.
I get to play with the dog.  I get to enjoy life.

The transformation takes me from "poor little

me," to lucky me.  As Mike Dooley said last
June when I saw him in person, happy people
are busy people.  I know I am doubly blessed
to be both happy and busy.  Now take a deep
breath and move on to the next thing.  And
while you're at it, put some music on that
you love.  And while you're at it, pick up the
cat and do a little dance step -- she misses your
happy-go-lucky self.

Have a getting-to-enjoy-life day.