balance in chaos

balance

Powerless...That’s how many of us feel right now. Circumstances are changing daily, if not hourly, there is fear and uncertainty raging around us, and there is foolishness and arrogance in the face of facts. It’s too easy to be reactive to things right now without looking deeper to see if what we are reacting to is actually true or worth the emotional energy we give it. Balance is hard to find, but it’s worth the search.

We truly are living out history right now. Every single one of us are all players on a global stage. The rapid changes around us will likely not come to an end for at least a number of weeks. No one can immediately put a stop to the spread of COVID 19, no one can control the havoc it is reeking on the economy. We cannot control how others act and react to all of this, but we do have a choice in how we react to it and that will never change no matter the circumstances.

bridge city update

My priority from day one of opening this business has been to take care of my work family, my employees, and that has not changed despite everything going on around us. What has changed is my ability to do that effectively on my own with a downturn in business. We are incredibly fortunate to have a drive-thru so we can safely remain open to keep paying our employees and serving you all here locally. However, we are not able to have nearly as many people on the clock and as I’m sure you can imagine, traffic numbers are way down. We’re doing our best to promote the drive-thru and online purchasing of our roasted beans but we aren’t sure how long we’ll be able to do both of those with the rapid changes around us.

In many cases for businesses around the country it can been better for both employer and employee to layoff or furlough people to minimize cost to the business and allow those employees to collect unemployment. While it may change, I am doing everything I can to avoid that and be the one providing for my people here. That has included truly humbling myself and asking for your help with a fundraiser that finishes this Sunday, April 5. We are so grateful for those of you who have contributed to it. You can read more about how it will help our employees and community around us here.

Any of you who know me know that I am not a proud man, however at the core of who I am I do not support asking for handouts. But crazy times call for changes in strategy and I care more about keeping this business alive and the family it has created together than my own operational beliefs.

gratitude

As we mentioned in a recent Instagram post, reflecting daily on gratitude has been a tremendous help for us to find more balance in the chaos around us. Among the many things we have discussed that we are grateful for, you all and the continued support you have provided us with are right at the top. Simply put, we wouldn’t be here without you. We want you all to know how much your support sincerely means to us. And I personally want you to know that your belief in what we have built, and will continue to build, with Bridge City is the fuel I need to continue pushing forward through uncertainty and fear.

We always have a choice how we act and react. Every single one of us have a choice and no one can ever take that away from us. To be sure, people and circumstances can and will influence how we feel and what we do. But in more poignant words than I can create, “Remember that even when those who move you be kings, or men of power, your soul is in your keeping alone. When you stand before God or other people, you cannot say, ‘but I was told by others to do thus.’ Or that, ‘virtue was not convenient at the time.’ This will not suffice. Remember that.”

From the bottom of our sincere hearts, thank you.