You don’t have to do this, You get to do this.

My niece takes this kids play class where she literally gets to run around with other kids and climb things.

I miss those days, don’t you?

We’ve seen the impact this class has had on her. She now loves to climb the couch and is so impressed by herself when she does it.

She’s coming into herself by playing in this class.

Suffice to say my sister and brother in law are on top of taking her weekly, even though the class is early in the morning on the weekend.

Unfortunately, the other week they both were under the weather and were worried about taking her as a guardian has to be in the play area with her during the class. They didn’t want to spread their germs as they got over their colds to other kids and truly they weren’t up for it based on energy levels.

So, my sister asked me.

For a second, I hesitated. I didn’t want to get going that early on the weekend, even if I get up early.

I started to fixate on all the negatives and then I remembered something one of my favorite Pelton instructors, Jess Sims, always says, “you don’t have to do this, you get to do this”.

I shifted my mindset.

I reminded myself that I get to be present for this moment when others may not get to be.

My sister trusts me enough to be in that space with my niece.

I have the relationship with my sister that she asked me to do it.

My niece trusts and loves me to be in that space with her.

I get to be part of this moment with her, and as she grows up, she’ll get to the age where she won’t want to be around me all the time cause she’ll be too cool for me.

I’m privileged to be asked, to be present, and to take part.

I get to do this.

I get to play for 45 minutes and see her face light up.

I get to be part of the magic of her childhood.

I get to, I get to, I get to.

Now, I’m human. I sometimes forget this perspective, but I do my best to always remind myself of all the things I get to do in this life, cause, folks, we know that life is short.

Everything changes in a second at times.

So, I challenge you all, as I challenge myself, every day, to say you get to this.

We get to this.

We get to live this life. Let’s make the most of it every day.