So today was Monday. I got up at 7:30 because I work mornings at the YMCA’s drop in care program. For three hours I held screaming children, changed diapers, and was overall unappreciated, just like every other Monday morning.

I rushed to sign out from my minimum wage job because although I work until 10:55, I have a class that starts at 11 on campus. I biked quickly to campus and rushed in with seconds to spare. All class long I had a headache from working with kids and trying to get all the notes down from a slideshow that was moving too fast.

Once that class was finally over I headed home and spent my three hour break doing homework and calling my doctor about my prescription medication for a recently discovered health problem. After that I went to the rec and dragged myself through my Monday routine of arms, abs, and legs. As I said goodbye to my workout buddy, I was disappointed that instead of going to yoga I had to go to a work meeting. I sat miserably through the work meeting for my on campus tutoring job, wishing to be anywhere else.

I then biked back to the YMCA because I also coach children’s gymnastics there. I taught my intermediate level class how to do pullovers on bars and handstands on beam, sighing inwardly with every “WATCH THIS, MISS MIRANDA” and “SHE SKIPPED ME” that I heard.

Once again clocking out of the Y, I biked again to campus for my College Feminists meeting. For an hour I waited through an interesting but time-consuming presentation on birth control and how to provide women with better access to it when policies change over the next four years.

I finally got to go home for the night at 8:30 PM and did more homework until now, at 11 PM, as I sit and write this article to be published next week. This is my routine every single Monday. Next Monday I could do it all again - pretend that I have it bad with how busy and stressed I always am, and think that the world revolves around me. Or, I could try a different attitude.

On Mondays or any day that is tough, I can try to change my attitude towards these things that I “have” to do. Anytime I hear myself saying “See you later, I have to go to class” or “I just want to sleep, but I have to go to work” I can try to change my thought process. Anytime we say “I have to”, we can change it to “I get to”, and see how quickly our lives change.

When I wake up early on Monday mornings and head to work, I can focus on how lucky I am to have a job that I love. I may not make as much as I’d like to, and the patience it takes to work with kids can be exhausting. But I get to spend time with kids that make me laugh and smile and give me hope for the future. I also get to be a good role model for these kid’s futures every single day. That is a beautiful gift that I have been given, and it shocks me how often I take it for granted.

Anytime I complain about going to class, I think about how many people in this world are not fortunate enough to be able to attend a university. I don’t “have” to go to class, I “get” to. I am so lucky to receive an education. When I come home from class and have three hours of studying, I am lucky to be learning this information. It should not be a burden.

When I am annoyed about being on hold with my doctor and getting confusing information about medication, I should consider myself lucky to have a doctor. Many people have untreated health issues because they cannot afford to see a doctor as good as mine, and if I have to wait on the phone for a few minutes to get access to him, then so be it.

Working out is not a chore. Some have to work so much, or take care of their children so much, etc. that they do not have time to work out. Being in good enough physical shape and being able - bodied are two things you need to even be able to work out, and I shouldn’t take these gifts for granted. So many people would love to be able to go for a run or lift weights, and it is something I dare to complain about. Once you think about it that way, doesn’t that seem silly?

Going to a work meeting is not a chore, it is a blessing. It means that I have a job. A job I love, in fact - if at the start of college someone told me that I would get to work at UWL’s tutoring center to help others improve their writing, I’d be amazed. I love writing and I love sharing that knowledge to help my peers become better writers. Having a meeting to help our department run smoother is necessary, and it allows me to help more people.

Yes, I may have to rush from my second job to my third on Mondays. But the reason I can’t give any of them up is because I am so lucky to have three jobs where I love what I do. If coaching kids in gymnastics gets annoying sometimes, it’s only because I’m fortunate enough to coach such peppy, inspired, passionate kids who reinforce my love for my favorite sport every day. I need to stop more and realize how lucky I am to get to be in these kid’s lives. At the end of the day I love being a gymnastics coach, even if it is one more stop added to my hectic life.

Finally, at the end of a long Monday, I need to be thankful that I get to partake in a club of college feminists who share the same ideals and want to change the world just as much as I do. Although it takes a lot of work to be an activist and keep caring about things it sometimes seems like no one else does, I need to be grateful for having a group of people who make me feel welcome and supported.

I have an amazing family, incredible roommates, great hometown friends behind me. I get to have a major and minors that I love, I have a roof over my head, and food in my belly. My life is incredible - and so is yours. Anyone who can read this article has access to technology that a lot of this world does not, and just based off you being literate and having the ability to read this article I know that you are lucky to be who you are.

It is so easy to get caught up in the stress of day to day life and forget to be thankful for what you have. It is also very easy to look forward to the next holiday, or even just to the weekend, and wish time away. The truth is, our everyday lives are pretty incredible. What you may find routine and boring is a life many others wish to have. Find happiness in the everyday things, and you’ll find your days have much more meaning. Take a look around, because your life can be pretty amazing if you acknowledge it.