I’ve been on my grind
I can only grind for so long
So, it’s not about fame and fortune
It’s about believing and believing in yourself
And understanding that this life is, it’s life
It’s liberty and the pursuit of happiness
And happiness isn’t about getting what you want all the time
It’s about loving what you have
So get ready, it’s a new day

We live in a time of incredible abundance. All things considered, you’re probably doing pretty well for yourself. And yet, because we’re constantly comparing ourselves to other people — or rather the curated versions of themselves that we see on social media — we constantly view our lives as lacking in some way. That we don’t always get what we want. But rapper Asher Roth reminds us of an important truth.

I’ve Been on My Grind

The lyrics above come from the song “G.R.I.N.D” by Asher Roth. We talk often about the daily grind, or how sometimes you just have to “grind it out” to get things done. For Asher Roth, the term becomes an acronym for “Get Ready, It’s a New Day.” It’s another opportunity to reframe what we have rather than what we want.

“G.R.I.N.D” was first released in 2010, not long after social media got its death grip on how we often see the world today. It’s become harder to be happy, because we constantly see what else is possible. We want to keep moving forward, and we want to be at the helm of our own journeys. We want to own it.

Put another way, happiness is about a sense of perceived control and perceived progress. We want to feel that sense of liberty, as Asher Roth puts it. We want to feel like we are free to pursue happiness, however we choose to define what “happiness” means in the first place.

The Asher Roth Reality Check

On some level, then, it’s about weighing your reality against your expectations. Temper your expectations, and suddenly your reality looks a lot better. Elevate your reality, and your expectations appear much more modest. In either case, in theory, you’ll be happy. Or happier.

Having just completed the 30-day gratitude challenge yesterday, I also recognize that Asher Roth is reminding us to be thankful.

Look at what you have. Isn’t it great? Aren’t good coffee, fast Wi-Fi, limitless entertainment options, and being surrounded by loved ones just… great? Rather than constantly looking over the fence at seemingly greener grass, why not focus on the flowers blossoming in your own garden?

A Brave New World All Over Again

Each new day brings the opportunity for new possibilities. And new possibilities bring the potential for new happiness… not that your old happiness was all that bad either. As you make your way through your daily grind, make the conscious decision for an intentional pause. And smile.

Life’s not that bad.