Focus on the Good

With all the craziness in the world we often look past the great things that are happening around us.  Tough times inspire great acts of benevolence and we fail to see all the good that is created.  People are making difficult decisions for the people around them and we must acknowledge their personal sacrifices for the well being of everyone.    So when the nightly news comes on do not let all the doom and gloom dominate.  Look for the good stories and use the inspirations to make a difference yourself.

Restaurants

The government policy of social distancing and self isolation has drastically changed the way food service works.  Formal dining rooms are closed and many small restaurant owners are shouldering the burden of this economic downturn.   Many entrepreneurs have looked at this as an opportunity and have expanded or created take out and home delivery options.  However, this is not an option for every place.  Some people are forced to close and layoff their employees until things return to normal; however, if you look hard enough you can find amazing acts of kindness.  Chefs, who can no longer provide payment for their employees, have helped in their own way.  Instead of letting their food stockpile spoil they use their inventory to help feed their families and those of their former employees.  Some have taken it to the next level and prepared food for food banks and those in need.  Across the country, in communities both big and small, these restaurant owners and employees are still finding a way to help others.  Times might be tough but they do not act defeated and this is only one instance of generosity.

Service Workers

If you work at a retail store, a sports venue, a shopping mall, or just about anywhere that draws large crowds of people you are likely out of work currently.  Companies are shutting down locations to comply with government mandates and to help do what they can to stop the spread of this disease.  We hear an overwhelming number of stories of hardship, but we also see acts of kindness.  Many sports owners and players have donated money to ensure venue workers will get paid for time missed.  Many major retail companies have followed suit and even the Disney park empire has been affected.  All the parks have closed down; you can no longer visit the happiest place on Earth.  What many people look past is the sacrifices made by company leaders to help the little people.  Many company presidents and CEOs have taken pay cuts or even forgone pay for a time to help ensure money gets to the grass root employees.  It is inspiring to see people do the right thing without having being told to do so.  It is true that these people are already millionaires but that doesn’t mean they have to do this.  These companies and their leaders have made decisions to invest in their people.  In a time when computers are slowly taking away jobs it is nice to see major businesses still caring about their employees.

Manufacturing

Supply shortages are becoming a major problem. Hospitals are running low on major equipment like ventilators and small things like gloves and masks.  Our supply demands are putting a lot of stress on manufacturing and panic shopping has also contributed.  In these extreme times, many major grocery store companies and manufactures have stepped up.  Actually even people stuck at home are attempting to contribute.  Stories have surfaced about how car manufacturing plants are retooling to produce much need equipment.  Furthermore, plants are working around the clock to produce three or four times what they normally make.   Smaller manufactures have also adjusted their way of business.  Many have shifted to making masks and gloves to help fill the need.  People who are stuck at home are even contributing by sewing masks and gowns by hand.  These inspirational people are contributing what they can in a stressful time and every donation, no matter the size, makes a difference.  Finally, the grocery industries have adjusted store hours and even instituted senior hours to ensure safe times for people at higher risk to shop.  These stores have made major commitments to local communities to ensure there is enough food.  Everywhere you look you see people adjusting their way of doing things to help contribute to the greater good and if we continue to rally together like this we will beat whatever challenge we come across. 

Digital Communications

Technology has made a huge impact on this latest crisis.  In the past, businesses would have no revenue during a shut down and people would be stuck in complete isolation at home.  The internet provides us instant information anywhere we need it along with many avenues of communications.  Group phone calls and even video calls have replaced in-person meetings.  Even routine doctor’s visits are being done digitally.  Technology has enabled us to weather the economic hardship better then we could have in the past.  If you need some more towels you can simply order online.  The retailer who runs the website is still able to make a sale and the end user is still able to get what they need.  This has enabled our economy to function, in a weaker state but little business is still better than no business.   It will be interesting to see if the work from home trend continues once the virus concern subsides.  Companies could shrink office sizes and change their business models if they have success.  There is no way to know what the future holds but we must be thankful for modern technology.  We at least have audio and visual media at our finger tips to help kill some time.  Additionally we can still see and talk to people while adhering to social distance guidelines, we can find ways to be together to support each other.  In this crazy time everyone needs the love of their friends and families and technology makes it possible.  Let us be grateful.