This is an unprecedented time and I'm not quite sure where to start. As I sit at home trying to work and homeschool my children simultaneously, I wonder how much longer our lives will be affected by this coronavirus pandemic. It just seems so surreal.
If you're a working parent like me, I'm sure you understand how crazy it is to have young children around while you switch back and forth between work tasks and family needs. It's not easy. Right now, completing the day without yelling or crying is a considerable success. Just like you, we are operating on a day to day scenario, at best. My productivity is well below average, and on some days, it's been non-existent. But, I know I must adapt. I see that amidst this chaos, I can be more lenient, more flexible, and more compassionate to those around me. I get frustrated. I get tired. But I am comforted in knowing that we're in this together and we will come out of this together. This thought keeps me pushing forward.
THE BUSINESS
Our Battle Balm company is a small business. I wear a lot of hats in keeping this machine running smoothly. Selling high-quality pain relief products is our main source of income and I've always tried to use a lean, efficient business model. I keep overhead costs low to allow us to deliver premium products at an excellent price point to you, without cutting corners.
As you may know, it's small businesses that keep America operating. Sure, big companies are the most visible, but there are many, many small stores that really are the grease to the wheels of the economy. It's no surprise that we've been hit pretty hard during this pandemic. Self-isolation is keeping customers from supporting their favorite brands and shops. Many businesses and factories are operating on reduced staff and production. Unfortunately, we've been forced to cut back, too.
We reassure you that we are still working hard to support you. We are still offering great products and great service that you've come to know with Battle Balm. We are still listening. We still care. We know that even in this time, you, our athletes, medical offices, and health-conscious people, still need us and we will continue maintaining our strong relationships with our fan base.
That is how we built the house of Battle Balm and that will never change. This brand values togetherness in achieving greatness. We're tough. We're formidable. We will battle until the end. Together. There's no question about that.
Yes, our revenue is down. A significant portion of our sales declined since coronavirus reached America. The next few months will take adjusting to this new normal. We don't know what the market will bear as the gears shift down and the world economy grinds to a halt. But, we'll grind too. For you. For us. We can give up now or continue to write our story. We choose the latter. My family and friends know that I'm a risk taker, so they know I'll put my head down and charge full steam ahead into this unknown future. I hoping to see you all through to the other side!
FROM SURVIVING TO THRIVING
I, personally, have always believed that health is wealth. And right now, good health is vital to surviving this pandemic. As we hear about people of all ages succumbing to COVID-19, it gives me more perspective. I'd like to share my thoughts with you here.
We live on Earth, as part of an ecosystem. Sure, we don't have the constant worry of predators eating us. That's the benefit of being at the top of the food chain. But, our species doesn't exist alone. Humans must interact with the environment to survive. I think we can all agree that we haven't been maintaining a mutually beneficial relationship with our partner, Mother Nature. Things have been strained for far too long. We have reached the breaking point and this moment is a catalyst for change.
I feel that in order to truly flourish, humans must work alongside nature, not against it. Yet, we use products that make our hair feel nice, but cause cancer. We eat foods that taste delicious, but ruin our gut microbiome. We make things that smell lovely, but injure our lungs. And that doesn't include all of the products we consume that destroys the environment once discarded. It's time we weighed the impact of our choices to understand how they are helping or hurting us in the long term.
Our ability to thrive depends on having a healthy body, mind, and spirit. We can choose to lead more robust, fruitful lives by paying more attention to the way we live and the things we consume. We can make healthier choices and thrive. Now is the time to, literally, make purposeful life changes so that we can endure this difficult time. With the world on pause right now, this is an opportunity to take a step back and ask how we can increase our own quality of life and better connect with ourselves, our community, our society, and our environment. "We" will always be stronger than "me". We are in this together. We can get through this health crisis together. One of my favorite quotes rings loudly right now. "As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, and the other for helping others." We will get through, not alone, but together.
THE EVOLUTION
Coronavirus doesn't care how much money you have or how old you are. It's attacking anyone and everyone. But, you are not helpless. You have control. You can make your body stronger, more tenacious, and more effective against germs. You have the ability to boost your immunity to help you win the war against bacteria, virus, and other pathogens. Exercise more. Eat better. Sleep better. Do it now! (Here's an article I wrote recently to help you win the battle against cold, flu, and COVID19.) The honest truth is that no one knows how long this will last or when it will end. COVID-19 will continue to affect humans and we need to put our powerful immune system first. Because the virus will evolve. Therefore, we must evolve, too.
Let's face it. There will always be some biological threat to our existence and evolutionary progress. In the spotlight right now is the Coronavirus. And in the future, it will be some mutation of COVID-19, and beyond that, it will be something else.
Are you preparing your body, mind, and spirit for this? Are you making conscious decisions to defend your health? Change doesn't have to be all at once. Every step forward is in the right direction, even if it is a small step.
THE BATTLE
This is ground zero for some of us. This is where it starts. Herd immunity only works if we live through it. As a species, we have to give our immune systems the ability to learn, adapt, and overcome the coronavirus. I'm not saying to waltz into the line of fire. I'm saying that we need to better equip our immune system with the tools needed to fight illnesses such as COVID-19. You wouldn't want to go into battle empty-handed, would you?
I know I'm assuming that most of us will come in contact with a version of coronavirus at some point in our lives, if we haven't already. But, we don't have to wait until it arrives on our doorstep. We can ready ourselves for it. It takes a willingness to change for a more natural, healthy, symbiotic relationship with the planet.
It's unfortunate that very few news information websites and articles are even bringing this idea up. We don't need to be helplessly waiting. We can actively improve our well-being, tipping the balance in our favor, and control how we respond to the oncoming viral threat. We can do something now.
CONCLUSION (or TL;DR for you youngsters)
The crowd that follows Battle Balm tends to already be the health-conscious and health-aware people. So, many of our supporters are nodding their heads in agreement about shifting towards natural solutions to maximize wellness. Happiness balances on a foundation of health. You can't argue that.
All I know for certain is that nothing is certain. I don't know how long COVID will keep stores closed and get people to shelter-in-place. I can't even tell you if the Battle Balm brand will survive a long drought in the economy. But, what I do know is that I am stubborn and I am relentless. I will continue to share my knowledge of natural health & wellness to help as many people as I can through this. I will continue to work hard for you and I will continue to battle for everything that I believe is right in the world. We can win this war against coronavirus and live with more balance, harmony, and grace. At the very least, all of us can eat better, sleep better, and exercise more. Right? And when you're ready to push further and put your health in priority, we're here to help.
