To Do or To Be

The rain fell hard on the window pane. It was fierce windy rain, brought on by the remnants of the devastating hurricane Harvey. We had rain on and off all day, with the most recent deluge the hardest and longest rainfall. The sound, soothing at times, was also startling, loud but rhythmic as well.  The cadence reminded me of life right now, more loud than rhythmic and more startling than soothing.

When the rain clears, the new day has a different smell to it. There is a cleansing that happens with this type of rain that fills my body and spirit with renewed energy and care. Flowers look like they have been painted in brighter versions of themselves, grass seems greener and more alive. My mind also seems clearer, the cobwebs are cleared and I can see where I am going. The level of uncertainty and hurt are waning and making room for openness and new light. The burdens of yesterday seem a bit lighter.

How does one keep it lighter, simpler and less painful? How do we keep the feeling of a new day, the cleaner, fresher, brighter version of our life that should shine through more than the bleak reality that tends to show up?  How do we remain positive when facing difficult moments and situations?

Attitude. Attitude is what we have control over and it is what helps us move forward. And no, it isn’t always the big smile on our face and being positive attitude. It is an attitude of “you can’t hurt me” or “I’m bigger and better than what you are throwing at me.” It is a Jersey attitude! It is an attitude of “I can make lemonade out of lemons.”  Ah, my grandmother always said that, “when life deals you lemons, you make lemonade.” And I know I follow her lead often, so that attitude may not be so Jersey, it may be more Eastern European Jew who has gotten through everything life has thrown at her with a smile and a hum. My grandmother was famous for her humming, she was very strong.

So after this cleansing rain, it is only fitting that we face what is coming at us strongly, with gumption and vigor. The world is looking at me, some with pity, most with wonder, and I stare back with strength and conviction.

My renewed sense of strength allows me to face whatever is coming at me. I can look at it, stare it down and know that I can conquer anything. One of the quotes I recently read that resonated during this renewal time is “today I am putting aside my ‘To Do List” and creating my ‘To Be List.”  We are always so busy doing. I am always thinking, what do I need to do today? Everyone is always asking people to do things for them, help them with something. I have a good friend right now that just stays busy doing, I don’t think she is ever really being, although I think she thinks she is. Everything I hear is doing. I have to run here, I have to go there, I have to help this friend, I have to help this child.

How do we create a ‘To Be List.’ What is it that you want to be? I want to be free of judgement, judgement of myself and others. I want to be happy in my work, knowing that I am making a difference in someone’s life, helping someone be better today than they were yesterday. I want to be a creative force bringing people together in a way that is full of love and peace.  I am sick of doing. I want to be.

Perhaps this most recent rainfall and renewed sunlight and warmth are giving me this message. Go be. Stop just doing and wasting your life. I watch people move from day to day, always focused on the next day and what they need to do. I watch people wish their life away, focused on what bill needs to be paid, what is the next thing they can do to their home, it always do, do, do.

I think it is time for me to slow down the doing and start being. Be who I say I am. Be who I want to be. Create more of a being life than a doing life.

Today is a new day. Are you creating your ‘To Do List’ or your ‘To Be List?’