FAIR WARNING: This blog doesn’t have much to do with marketing at all – it’s more about life in the times of Coronavirus.
Anyone that knows my musical tastes knows that I’m a huge Beatles fan. Even my 72-year old father says, “I grew up on this shit and you’re a little bit obsessed”. Haters gonna hate, Pops. We’ve also had a decade-long argument about who’s better between The Rolling Stones and the Beatles…
Unrelated, I could probably write a lengthy novel on how I believe The Beatles inspired modern music and how ALL music lovers should appreciate them, but I digress…
Oh yeah… and I had THREE (3) people reach out to me about my last blog and say, “I can’t believe you put a middle finger emoji in your blog.” … to which I pridefully laughed uncontrollably. #artisticprivilege 🤘
Back to blog. I don’t think anyone is enjoying the current state of what’s going on in the country or throughout the world. Places going out of business, people struggling, and not to mention the constant worry that we’re in a constant state of uncertainty/stress/panic. Maybe it’s time to take some advice from the greatest lyricist of our time (I will take no arguments on the subject), John Lennon.
For Starters – Eleanor Rigby
“I look at all the lonely people…”
This song gives me the best starting point for my point to this article. Everyone is impacted by this pandemic, and it affects all of us independently and uniquely. Many folks, such as my business partner, do not handle being “alone” for long very well.
My heart especially goes out to folks that struggle with addiction – those that “need a fix because they’re going down” (Happiness is a Warm Gun). I just read an article (who knows if it’s true or not…) that alcohol sales through March 2020 were up 240% as compared to March 2019. Wow. I confess that I’ve even had a few more brewski’s than usual in the past month, myself.
Actionable – check in on your friends that don’t do well by themselves. Check in on your friends that struggle with addiction. Send them more attention and love than usual. I highly recommend funny memes and (of course) pictures of cute Siberian Huskies. I have a large library of both, if you need either.
Yesterday
“Yesterday…
All my troubles seemed so far away
Now they look as though they’re here to stay
Oh, I believe in Yesterday.”
I have a friend that I catch up with about once a month (I call her my 2020 Pen Pal). She said, and I quote, “Our world is changing though, don’t you think? I feel like it won’t go back to the same thing again.” I said, “Good. The worst thing that can happen is if we’re all the same after all this.”
I’ve been doing a lot of soul searching on the things that we take for granted every day. Clean water, electricity, shelter, the ability to communicate with other people… I’ve even thought about the effects of not having the ability to enjoy a communal activity like watching a sports game over a beer in a bar with your friends.
Actionable – Moving forward, let’s try to be a bit more appreciative for the things that we DO have. Which leads me to my next song…
Here Comes the Sun
“Little darling
It’s been a long cold lonely winter
Little darling
It seems like years since it’s been here
Here comes the sun”
This, too, shall pass. It is the obligation of we optimists to remind everyone around us. This situation is temporary, though the effects of it are permanent. Just remember – the sun’s right around the corner.
Actionable – everyone will do better with a little bit of hope. Remember to share the gift of optimism and the message of prosperity. For those of us that aren’t optimists by nature – a smile goes a long way. If you’re having trouble making one, I recommend a tickle fight. Social Distancing be damned! (If that doesn’t make you laugh, I don’t know what will)
Come Together
I know it’s super hard to stay positive or look at the sunny side of things with everything going on, but I actively try to seek it. I saw some of our neighborhood kids playing basketball with each other, and I’ve seen more people outside and spending time with their families, where I know they wouldn’t otherwise. There’s something to be said for that.
Something bizarre about our culture these days is that there’s this underlying idea that a difference of opinion, religion, or political stance means that we can’t get along with or be friends with each other.
Actionable – PLEASE do not buy into this bullshit narrative. Differences make us who we are. In fact – one of the most beautiful things about Business Marketing Solutions Group is that we constantly bicker and argue. Sometimes we even argue about nothing just so that we can keep our mental faculties sharp for when it does matter.
… and lastly, always remember – no matter how bad things get, All You NEED is Love.
-Reece
P.S. This post was inspired by a video and follow-up message of hope that our superstar videographer, David Woodruff, posted. A link to the video is: https://www.facebook.com/justinobrooks/videos/10157908556381142/UzpfSTE1NzUyMzM5NTE6MTAyMTk2OTg2NDU1NjgwNjE/
Don’t forget to show him some love at http://www.genesisfilm.tv/ !
