Our days often have a recurring rhythm. Our alarm goes off at the crack of dawn, we rub our eyes trying to wake up, roll out of bed and start our daily routine. We get dressed, quickly serve our family breakfast and clean up while trying to keep everything (and everybody) in order. As we help everyone off to wherever they need to be and hop in the car, our brains go on autopilot and the day moves along without much excitement or joy.

With such a routine, it’s easy to imagine how the grass may be greener on the other side, thinking, “One day when I (insert goal or achievement here), things will be better.”

If there’s a few things I’ve learned over the years, especially after starting a family, it’s that so much of our lives take place behind the curtains in our minds. We wake up and go about our business doing what’s familiar and use our memories, imagination, speculation or interpretation to determine how we will react to what lies ahead.

It’s easy to wake up wishing we could hit snooze (and drift off to that greener pasture we’ve all thought about) because we already feel exhausted from the day of “have to’s” ahead. But what if we changed our perspective? Could our lives radically transform?

Wake up and run through a to-do list. Trudge through your morning with a sigh and roll your eyes thinking, “I have to go to work today. Tonight, I have to get in my car and drive to the gym. When I’m there, I have to push myself when all I feel like doing is relaxing. Ugh… Then I then have to pick up my kids and try to stay smiling and engaged while preparing dinner and keeping everyone entertained, just to clean up, pack lunches for tomorrow and get my family ready for bed. I have to do all those things.”

Sound familiar? Is that really appealing to anyone? Let’s change our outlook for a moment: The grass is only greener where you water it.

You sit up in bed, shoulders back and eyes wide open with excitement for what the day may offer. You’re thinking, “Yes, today I have the opportunity to be a part of a team, to inspire and uplift and truly make a difference in people’s lives. Tonight, I get to hop in MY car and spend an hour exercising with other energetic people, becoming stronger and boosting my endorphins… I’ll feel so good and proud. Then I get to pick up my kids, head home and cook a healthy meal TOGETHER, sharing the highlights of our day. After dinner, we get to turn on some music and spend time together without any of life’s distractions, developing an even stronger bond with one another. We’re experiencing this moment that only food, music and family can bring together – it’s special.”

Same day, two different perspectives. This one is approached with eagerness and anticipation in wonder of what you’re going to be able to do with that day, excited for the opportunities that lie ahead. “What will I do with this day? What CAN I do with this day?”

Perspective is everything and happiness is contagious. Look at today, and every day, as a new beginning – one to get excited about. Instead of seeing a day that’s filled with “have to’s” visualize what your day can be like. This allows you to create a NEW reality and begin to see things in a different light.

Be intentional in reminding yourself that the grass will grow green and plush wherever you water it. It’s the perspective you choose, not the day you’re presented with that ultimately tells you where you stand and how you should feel. And the neat thing is, you get to make that choice!