The "BE" Choice
Our lives are all very filled and often very busy. We can help ourselves and our students by teaching the “BE” choice.
Our days are filled with “DO” choices that involve all the things we need to do during the day.
- What do I need to do today to prepare for my classes or for my next meeting?
- What do I need to do for my kids today?
- What do I need to do for my family??
- What do I need to do to keep the home moving along … bills, wash, shopping, food prep, cleaning, …
- What do I need to do to___________________!!!!
Our list of "DO" choices are endless!! Seems our lives and our children's lives are speeding
up moving faster and faster. Others too add to our "DO" lists..
- Children add lots to our to "DO" lists.
- Significant Others add to ours---we add to their list.
- Extended Family, friends, work obligations, school obligations...
Adding to all the things life seems to ask us to "DO" is the fact that our brains ( our operating systems) have a negative bias.
Our brain is like Velcro for the negative experiences in life and Teflon for the positive experiences.
We need to change this dynamic intentionally.
The "BE" choice can help!!
BE choices are very different and very powerful. We can learn to make BE choices as often as we make do choices.
BE choices are about our conscious intention to choose how we want to be as we do all the things we need to do?
For example….As a teacher /parent I can choose to BE-
- friendly,
- open,
- understanding,
- curious,
- open minded,
- patient,
- flexible,
- upbeat,
- energetic,
- reflective,
- clear,
- brief,
- assertive,
- careful,
- grateful,
- inspirational,
- passionate,
- purposeful…
The list of possible BE choices is endless too! How do you want to BE as you go about your personal life and work life can also change the results that you may want to see?
As always... do let me know what you think.
Founder Eyes Up Wellness
5 年Really important for us to pay attention to the “do” pressure. Although I am not anti-tech I firmly believe it played a huge role in this cultural shift and will serve to maintain the “do” pressure for all ages.
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5 年...another set of Be-attitudes that will prove useful!!
Educational Consultant and Creator of Learn Play Grow LLC
5 年We are human beings, not human doings. Your insight is timely and important. Let’s BE the change to make the change.
Retired Engagement Consultant, Musician available for Benefit Events
5 年I enjoyed this very much, Michael. Another emphasis we can examine is substituting the phrase “successful life” for “meaningful life”. Many of the people who lived meaningful lives rejected consumerist versions of successful lives.