Recently, I was reading a post called “Get To vs. Have To” on Seth Godin’s blog. His post made me think about the power we gain when we define what we do. I changed my perspective from
“have to” to “get to” a few years ago.

At that time, I was approaching rehearsals with my a cappella group as one more thing to do at the end of a long workday. (Do I have to?) So I decided to practice appreciating and enjoying the opportunity to sing with my group. (After all, I love singing, I should be thrilled every time I get to do it, right?)

So on rehearsal days, I would say to myself (yes, sometimes out loud) “I get to sing today!” On gig days, I would say “I get to sing for people today!” When I participated in a week-long master class with my mentor Rhiannon — “I get to sing for 10 days … in Hawaii!!”

Acknowledging and enjoying my love of singing changed things for me. Not long after my trip to Hawaii, I decided I liked singing so much, I should do it full time. I quit my job and returned to school to study vocal performance. (I graduated last April.)

Now, any time the finagling of my musician’s lifestyle becomes crazy busy, exhausting, tedious or frustrating, I remind myself that I get to sing. A lot.

Ah, (the singing) life is good.