Comments on: Sunday Poem: Doing is Being by Ray Bradbury

By: Sean

Sean — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 03:35:25 +0000

This recent article by Rachel Demille reminded me of this poem and discussion. She says "I strongly feel that Doing is a part of Being, and an integral part of self-worth and happiness. But I also believe that Doing is subordinate to Being–that it, in fact, is an easy substitute and even a counterfeit for Being, and must come as a natural outgrowth of a healthy approach to Being." I agree with her.

By: Randy

Randy — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 03:40:44 +0000

I have to think that Ray is saying that too often we spend time thinking of all the wonderful things we can do for others and accomplish for ourselves in this life only to be hindered by our own inaction. To me this poem simply says that to want something is never enough, we need to take that leap and set out to attain those things we desire to be and in so doing we become the person we are meant to be.

By: Sean

Sean — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:24:50 +0000

Yeah, I see what you mean Stephen. I had mixed feelings about this poem because Bradbury seemed to be saying it both ways.

I’m not fond of this line:
“To stuff yourself with doing — that’s the game.”

…because that seems to imply that our worth is measured by our performance. And I don’t agree with that – that mindset causes people to act simply for the sake of acting, to *prove* their worth to the world. This causes all sorts of problems in the world, and also leads people to believe that they are what they do. Human doings, rather than human beings.

But much of the rest of the poem seems to jive with your interpretation, that doing is the manifestation of our being. That idea I agree with and love.

I think our intention is key here in differentiating the two.

By: aharon smith

aharon smith — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 15:58:21 +0000

What we do is what people remember us by. It is even worse if what we say does not match up with what we do. There was a guy in my ward (church) from a long time ago who always talked about the importance of home teaching (an lds program where members are assigned to visit others and share a spiritual message) yet being our home teacher, he never came. We still remember that one!

The message I get is do what you say, for doing is how people interpret who you are (being)

By: Stephen Palmer

Stephen Palmer — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 02:19:13 +0000

Sean, I know what you mean; I had the same struggle with this one initially.

But as I thought about it, I think he’s touching on a higher level than understanding that being precedes doing, that next level being where the two merge. In other words, we demonstrate who we are through what we do.

What do you think?

By: Dan Owens

Dan Owens — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 07:33:18 +0000

I kind of liked this poem. I think sometimes I have a tendency to think everything to death. I find that if I get started I generally discover the correct path. As the old saying goes, “It’s hard to steer a parked car”.

By: Sean

Sean — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 21:44:11 +0000

I have mixed feelings about this one Steve. I believe more the opposite: being is doing. Recognizing who we really are (a being motive) leads us to do the things we were created to do. That’s the way I see it right now anyway.