Do you have a favorite “reminder” quote? One that both admonishes and inspires you?

Although the saying has been attributed to several people, I was reading an article by Richard Bramson in which he said, “A to-do list is useful, but also write a to-be list. There’s a reason we’re called human beings and not human doings.” That quote pushes me into the reality I aspire to have.

On a Friday morning, when we’re looking at a list of what we wanted to accomplish that week, or on a Sunday evening, when we’re looking ahead to what the week will bring, should we be more mindful of those words? My lists are full of actions I want to accomplish – things I want “to do.” How about you?

To Do or To Be

Would our attitudes and stress change if we reworded our lists? What if we said, “Be stronger” instead of “Go to the gym?” Would we look at that item on the list differently?

Could we say, “Be healthy this week” instead of “Get groceries?” Could we say, “Be a good citizen” rather than “Go to Rotary?” What if our weekly lists included things like “Be generous,” “Be a friend,” and “Be kind to myself?”

The holiday season is approaching. Our “To Do” lists will probably get longer, and our stress will increase. Let’s try to allow our “To Be” lists to increase, too.

Since November is a time of gratitude and thanksgiving, perhaps we can “Be thankful” for who and what we are. Maybe we can “Be playful” on our days away from work. Could we add “Be patient,” “Be tolerant,” “Be understanding,” and “Be attentive?”

Let’s add at least one, or maybe three, “To Be” statements to our lists for the rest of the year. Perhaps we can start with an easy one, “Be grateful,” and work toward one of the more challenging ones – “Be Attentive.”

Happy Thanksgiving, fellow Human Beings.