“I Have To.” You’re Lying.

 

You say "I have to" dozens of times each day,

Each quietly gainsays the power you betray.

They speak of resignation, of pressure, of dread,

Of the choices you made as if you were misled.

 

“I have to go to work, I have to pay the bills,”

As if you’re being forced on an endless treadmill.

Each path has its costs and each path has its gains,

To say you “have to” claims no choice in those games.

 

“I get to go to work! I get to pay my way!”

From "have to" to "get to" reveals life’s a buffet.

Or simply "I will" — your declaration to the world,

Claiming your life as your futures you unfurl.

 

You hide behind "have tos" so you can be a “good guy,”

“It's out of my hands — can’t you see how they’re tied?”

You spare others' feelings, you dodge any blame,

You drift through your life that you’ve yet not claimed.

 

Inside your own mind you use "have to" on cue,

It shuts down options of what you could pursue.

Defending yourself, from yourself and from others,

Metes out to you a life with few of your druthers.

 

So catch yourself saying "I have to" and pause,

Scrutinize those words and spotlight their flaws.

“Is it true? Is it grounded? Does it serve you or not?”

Don’t forsake your power, choosing yourself to besot?

 

You say "I have to" dozens of times each day,

Each quietly gainsays the power you betray.

They speak of resignation, of pressure, of dread,

Of the choices you made as if you were misled.

 

“I get to, I will!” — those phrases ring true,

They honor your choices, to pursue or undue.

Notice those shifts and choose courage to dare,

Take this life as yours ‘cause it’s yours to declare.