A lot of us will go through our entire lives with the mindset of having to do something. I, for one, am one of those people. I complain a lot about things that I have no business whining about but like any other human in the world, I am not perfect.

I am a little over halfway done with my first semester of college and I have gone through it muttering my fair share of complaints, groans, moans, you name it. To say that it has been perfect is far from the truth, college really is a roller coaster of emotions, and I think a lot of you can agree with me on that.

Fortunately, I got placed into a wonderful EN 111 class that truly has been the best part of college. I have not only met some amazing people through that class, found out who I want to be as a person, but got the most eye-opening advice a young adult could get.

I get to. I don't have to.

I'm not being dramatic when I say everything shed after hearing these words come from my teacher, because I felt almost new after hearing those words. It made me realize how privileged I really was and how much I take for granted without even realizing.

A lot of us, including myself, fail to recognize the blessings we have in this world. In the United States, despite how crazy and horrible things are going, we are lucky enough to do a lot of things that other countries can not do. We can vote, get an education, drive cars, own cell phones- things that a lot of us fail to remember is a privilege that many fought and died for us to have.

This isn't a diss towards anyone because like I said earlier, I'm nowhere near perfect. But the next time you complain about 'having' to do your homework- think about those who don't have the privilege to be going to school.

I get to go to school...and as a woman, I'm even more lucky that I get to have an education. I'm thankful for my family who helped me get to where I am in life, the friends who have supported my choices, and most importantly, I'm thankful for my amazing EN 111 teacher who has slowly become not just a role model in my life, but a friend as well.

So, for the next time you are complaining over homework or chores, remember that you don't have to do that, you get to. I know it's hard sometimes to remember, because I still do catch myself saying the H word, but realize that the boring and dreadful things we do sometimes are not even in the minds of others.

We are fortunate to be able to vote, go get an education, and live as freely as we do. Treat every day as a gift because not everyone is lucky enough to live the lives we do.

Take care,

Ashley