Late last month, we celebrated the life of one of our finest.
Back in May, you read an obituary I wrote about Liz Morelan.
We published it on May 30.
She passed away on May 22 at the age of 104.
Liz was a matriarch of our community.
She served as city secretary back in the ‘80s, was active in civic clubs for decades, was a founding member of Keep Whitesboro Beautiful and raised money for high school scholarships across the area.
Anyone who knew Liz knew how much energy she possessed. Her zeal for community work lasted well into her second century of life.
She was an amazing person, and I am much better off for having known her. If you knew her, you are too.
Liz didn’t want a funeral. Instead, we gathered for lunch on June 19.
We swapped Liz stories and enjoyed fellowship.
In doing so, it became evident just how impactful our friend Liz really was.
Even in her final days, she was giving of herself. Liz Morelan always knew how to “do something.”
We should take a lesson from Liz. At the end of the day, we should all do something.
In a world often paralyzed by overthinking, fear of failure or the pursuit of perfection, the simple act of doing something—anything—can be transformative.
“Do something” is more than a motivational phrase; it’s a mindset that prioritizes action over inertia.
It champions progress through momentum, encouraging us to take small steps even when the path ahead is uncertain.
Whether it’s solving a problem, creating art or helping someone in need— do something— break the cycle of passivity.
This will open the doors to growth, learning and opportunity.
New York Times bestselling author Andy Andrews agrees. In his 2011 novel “The Final Summit: A Quest to Find the One Principal That Will Save Humanity,” the protagonist is tasked with
deciphering the solution to save all mankind.
The catch— that single solution must be described in only two words.
Spoiler alert— the solution that will save humanity is “do something.”
Harry Chapin was a prolific American singer-songwriter and humanitarian whose storytelling songs, like “Cat’s in the Cradle” and “Taxi,” left a lasting mark on American music.
Beyond his artistic success, Chapin was deeply committed to fighting hunger and poverty. He co-founded World Hunger Year (now WhyHunger) in 1975 and donated much of his concert earnings to hunger-related causes.
He played countless benefit shows— reportedly more than half of his performances. Chapin used his fame as a platform for change before his life was tragically cut short in a 1981 car accident at age 38.
It was as if Chapin knew he wouldn’t be here long. He tried to maximize his time at all costs.
When queried by a group of students about how to affect social change— where to start, Chapin’s advice was, “When in doubt, do something.”
Just start with one thing, he said. Just do something.
Another giant of 20th century American art understood this concept.
E.B. White was a writer best known for his timeless children’s books— “Charlotte’s Web,” “Stuart Little” and “The Trumpet of the Swan.”
His elegant prose and deep empathy for both people and animals made his stories beloved across generations. They still hold up.
White was also a prominent essayist for The New Yorker.
He shaped contemporary American literary style with wit and simplicity.
He also co-authored “The Elements of Style” with William Strunk Jr.
It is a foundational guide to English writing still widely used today.
Through his fiction and essays, White left a lasting impact on both literature and language.
White knew how to “do something.”
He once said, “I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day.”
We are all faced with this balancing act, and I would argue that improving the world and enjoying the world can go hand-in-hand.
It all starts with when one begins to do something.
I challenge you to do something.
There are countless volunteer opportunities in your community. Do something.
Churches need active members. Do something.
Local elections are going uncontested. Do something.
Need to get in shape? Do something.
Have you neglected old friendships and family relationships? Do something.
Do you want a leg-up at work? Do something.
Ultimately, action— no matter how imperfect— is what moves us forward.
Liz Morelan understood this. So does Andy Andrews. Harry Chapin and EB White did too.
American poet Julia Carney once said, “Little drops of water make the mighty ocean.”
Great change starts with small actions. All this becomes possible when we “do something.”