israelellis

Dear Friend,

These are trying times.  Chaos and the unknown reign heavily with the daily changing stories about COVID19.    I am seeing numbers related to people who are falling ill and the dead.   I have to hold myself steady as I remind myself that these are not simply benign numbers.  These are numbers that represent real people.  People like you and me.  People who have families that are forever affected by this plague.  There are no borders.  No race difference.  No economic barriers.  This invisible enemy has no rules.  My heart is aching for those who are struggling.  My heart is aching for humanity.  

It is far easier to give in to the anxiety and fear than to fight it.  Don’t give in.  We can beat this.  I  am a realist and I know that this will pass.  The questions on all our minds is when?    During the time in between we cannot afford to wallow in the struggle but rather renew ourselves and see this as a challenge to innovate and succeed.   You are receiving this message because you are a contact of mine; you are an entrepreneur or part of the business world.  Grievances have an expiry date, we must get back on that horse and ride.  Yes, we may be hurting.  We have worked hard and seeing the fruits of our labor challenged is demoralizing.  But keep this in mind.  This is not about me and you,  we must act for our families, for our employees, for their families, we have no choice but to move forward.   There will be pent up demand and you want to be positioned.

“There is a way, there is always a way.  I have been through other challenges, I have succeeded before  I will succeed today too.” 

I allow myself maybe five minutes of the fear, anxiety, lowliness – that’s my budget.  I have to turn it off.  I have no choice.  I force a smile and I think about all that has been accomplished and I get excited about the future.  Because, the future is everything.  You must have the faith that the future is right around the corner.  She is good, welcoming, prosperous, inviting, and waiting for you.    Every morning, I make sure to get out of my PJs, shower, get dressed, keep fit.  Check in on people, see what I can do for others because through giving we are most redeemed.  The routine is critical.  I must smile.  I say a prayer of gratefulness for everything good I have. For my health, my ability to stay safe, for those around me.  We can all find something to feel grateful about.  Gratefulness is a game changer in affecting our attitude.  Our attitude is a game changer in how we equip ourselves to deal with everything else.

Tonight I go into Passover, many of you will celebrate Good Friday and Easter.  Whatever you do or do not practice.  We will be doing this in much smaller numbers and for some, alone.  It may be hard to find meaning in our isolation as we are social beings.  But we are not alone, we are all feeling the same vulnerabilities.  This is unifying and in a way that brings me comfort.  All over the world, we stand united in this respect.     This is truly a time for redemption.    Redeem me from grievances, from differences, from anxieties, from indifference.  Redeem me so that I can once again find my purpose, my realness, find me.  Give up the illusion of control.  There is a power much greater force than ourselves.  Whatever that power is.  This power is good and good things will happen, even if we cannot see through the fog we have to trust there is a plan for us.  We are loved and we can love.

Thank you to our front line.  Hospitals, doctors, nurses, cleaners, maintenance, food handlers, police, firemen, our leaders are bearing huge responsibilities right now – do not falter we need you now more than ever.  Thanks especially to our unsung heroes – you know who you are.   Thank you all for staying home, wearing masks when you are out, we are all in this together and that is how we will come through this.

We will soon look back at these days through our rearview and we will come out better human beings, we will learn, we will thrive and we will once again succeed.

If there is anything I can do for you to help transform your business or help you with the unknowns in your struggle feel free to reach out.  In my book, Moving Through Walls, I talk about the greatness that is within each of us.   This will come to pass, your greatness will emerge, and you will move through this wall.

Happy Easter and Happy Passover 

From my family to yours.  Wishing you safety and good health above all else.

Israel Ellis, CEO

AdvancePro Technologies