“Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.”
– Lyric from “Closing Time” by Semisonic
On the Monday after Easter Sunday, it’s easy to talk about new beginnings. On this particular Monday after Easter Sunday, however, there are different filters through which we might view new beginnings, not just the overtly Faith-based. In these unprecedented times, heck, maybe even in ordinary times, new beginnings await us at every turn. Which brings me to a second quote for this edition of The Daily Difference:
“Nothing is over until we decide it is.”
– John “Bluto” Blutarski, (pre-Senatorial career) as portrayed by John Belushi in the 1978 comedy classic movie, Animal House
As Americans, living in the most privileged country on the planet, it can be easy to get over-confident. “Anything is possible in America!” “You can be whatever you want to be!” Those are things we’re told growing up here. The American Dream is still why the USA is the only country with a line at the door, for people waiting to get in.
“So, Heston, what’s the point?” I hear you asking, yet again.
The lyric is 100% correct. Every new beginning does, in fact, sprout from the end of a different beginning. And Bluto / Belushi is equal parts right and wrong. There are times when it ain’t over until we throw in the towel, and there are others when it’s over, no matter how much we want for there to be time left on the clock.
COVID-19 will not be “over” today, no matter how much we want to re-start the economy and put this episode behind us. That does not mean we can’t start anew today. What if we start to take swings at moving toward the “Membership Economy?” What if we look at our business exclusively from the perspective of someone who does not and has not, but might want to do business with us? What if we say “good riddance” to the fear and trepidation that times like this can spawn, and by confidently or at least consciously welcoming in the opportunity to really separate ourselves from those addicted to the fear?
Regardless of where we are on the “Working From Home Since _______” timeline, what if we take a few minutes to decide what we’ll begin, and what we’re going to decide is over — and how will that make a difference?
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