Dear Friends and Partners;
The year 2020 has been like no other. The coronavirus pandemic has caused chaos in our everyday lives. Sheltering-in-place and social distancing have caused schools to close, record unemployment, and loss of businesses that will have a lingering effect on our communities for years to come. It has been a very stressful year, yet all is not lost.
Because of the pandemic, this year, we have had the opportunity to spend more valuable, quality time with our families. My wife has been my co-author in several messages, much like this one, making use of the time we have been given to reflect on our lives and reset some of our priorities.
Others have used this time to make personal improvements, such as eating heathier, exercising more, learning new skills, and like me, getting much needed rest. We at IEI are also fortunate to have steady employment, maintaining continuity pertaining to our careers and care for our families. Most importantly, we are fortunate to have our health in a time when a record number of people have succumbed to the infectious and deadly virus. These circumstances can leave us under enormous stress and strain.
There are things that we can do to alleviate the anxiety and stress. Prioritize living a healthier lifestyle and save more. Lessen your exposure to the virus by staying away from large crowds and practice social distancing. Stay in touch with friends and family and lift one another’s spirits with words and deeds. Get a flu shot, wash your hands often and please, please wear a face mask to protect yourself and everyone else from the spread of this awful virus. We can overcome all of these challenges if we remain disciplined, diligent and focused. Most importantly, we must continue to believe in the horizon ahead. I believe in it, and I believe in us. I remain hopeful that we will return to a better world, if we do the work that needs to be done, in order to make that happen.