For the past week or so I have tried to write something I felt would resonate with the vast majority of our clients and community. Every time I sat down before my keyboard or put pen to paper I would draw a blank. So many things come to mind but nothing formed well enough to share.
It didn’t feel right.
It wasn’t business enough.
Not politically correct enough.
Just not enough.
What do you say in a time like this?
I have no idea…
What I can do is share some of the thoughts I have had over the last few weeks in hopes of encouraging others.
Practicing Vedanta
A few weeks ago I called a dear friend and fellow AlphaGraphics owner, crying. She answered in a positive voice “Hi, Babe. How are you?” In between sobs, all I could get out was “I’m in my feelings.” Her response was perfect… “Good! Feel the feelings and let them go.”
Her statement struck a cord. It reminded me so much of a book another AlphaGraphics owner recommended to me last fall,
Self-Unfoldment, by Swami Chinmayananda. In the chapter titled Freedom, Swami says “The truth is, however, that the enlightened person experiences emotions, but he does not let them overpower him.”
So I may not have mastered that part (yet), but I often reflect on “has the emotion, does not become the emotion.” My family will laugh at this, as I am known for being emotional. I am practicing the art of acknowledging the emotion, feeling the emotion but not letting it overpower me and then releasing it.
It is my heritage to become a being who is free of all dependence in this world. Now seems like as good a time as any to lean into this truth.
Next Steps
Many people are confused about what their next step should be and many people are motivated to get going again.
For those of you confused, I see you. Over the last month and a half, I have gone through the 7 stages of grief. The noise from both sides is so loud… unfortunately, I don’t have any guidance outside of — do what feels right. If you’re not sure what that is, think about your options and follow your gut instincts. Intuition will never lead you down the wrong path. Should you need a sounding board,
I’m here for you.
To the masses ready to start again, I am with you. Our team is more ready than ever. We have used this time to pivot our business. Things we had on our to-do list for 2020 were pushed forward faster than we planned. While we are being led to do the next right thing, we are slow and steady in our efforts. *Spoiler alert* This is a marathon, not a sprint. Take your time. It’s easy to move forward; it’s harder to go back and redo.
We’re In It For the Long Haul
One really amazing result of this process has been how understanding and transparent people have been. To witness the support that comes from unlikely places has been encouraging. It’s inspiring to watch individuals and companies come together to support each other. We are all in the same situation figuring out what to do, not just to
survive but to
succeed.
One thing I am positive about is the American people are a resilient people. Yes, our circumstances are fluid and unknown but the perceptions of our reality can make or break us. I know it will be a long road ahead for all of us, but I wouldn’t wish to be anywhere else but here fighting the good fight with y’all. We will continue to stand strong and support our community.