Spectrum Connection: October 2020
From the desk of Dave Smalley: Inertia
Inertia
Inertia is the resistance of any physical object to change in its velocity, which includes change to speed or direction of motion. It is also Newton’s (Isaac Newton, not Fig Newton) First Law of Motion; he has three you know. Newton’s Law says an object at rest stays at rest and an object in motion stays in motion with the same speed and same direction unless acted upon by an outside force.
So why in the world are we talking about physics and the Laws of Motion?? These are clearly unique times we are experiencing today. If we consider ourselves physical objects, then I contend we can apply these laws to our current situation.
In early March we were objects in motion, going 90 to nothing, but then an “outside force” swept in and stopped our motion cold stone dead. I would say that is a pretty darn fine example of a part of Newton’s First Law of Motion, with some small liberties taken by this author, me.
Now here we are, October 2020. Think about the last time someone asked you those opening conversational questions. “How are you doing?” or “What you been up to?” Now think of what your response was. I would guess for most, it was “Doing good, same old same old”, “Nothing new, same as yesterday”, or “Fine, nothing’s changed”. Any of these answers, or words to that affect, sound familiar and fit the bill? For me, absolutely! I can hear those words ring true. I believe those words are indicators of the second part of Newton’s Law, that an object at rest, stays at rest. We just happen to be those objects, and while we are not technically “at rest”, we are certainly not moving. And that is a problem! If we are not moving, we are not growing, we are not advancing, we are not learning, and we are not getting better. We are most likely shrinking, getting stagnant, soon to be rotting or rusting. We have to get MOVING!
According to Newton’s Law, the only way we can get moving is if we are acted upon by a force. WE HAVE TO BE THAT FORCE. No one else is going to provide that force. I know of no outside force that will get us up and moving. It is up to us; it is up to you, it is up to me to be that outside force setting ourselves back into motion. If we don’t act, we will not get up. That’s a law. We must get up, we must set ourselves in motion, and once we are in motion, headed in a positive direction, nothing but an outside force can deter us. And we won’t let that happen. That too is a law.
Take your motion and your direction into your own hands. Set yourself in motion. Take a class, set a daily push up or sit up goal, volunteer, start a new job, mentor someone, go to church. Do SOMETHING and set yourself in motion. Don’t concern yourself with not finding “the perfect or right thing”. Just try. We are on a detour, and like any detour on any trip, some are on bumpy roads, and some on smooth pavement. Regardless, they all link back up with our chosen path and journey of success.
Peace and Grace – One Month Closer,
Dave Smalley
From the desk of Melanie Smalley.
Hello October! Month 10 of year 2020.
Back in January we had our 2020 GET FOCUSED event, it was a great time together with lots of shared “tools” as we started the year. I want to encourage you to STAY FOCUSED; don’t forget those tools, don’t forget what your personal and professional take-aways were from that event. Practice them, write them down, talk about them, share them. When we turn the corner, and we will, we need to be ready and we need our “tools” to be sharpened.
While each one of us will have our own “remember the year that never was” memoire, I’m sure that no two stories will be the same. We’re all experiencing this time in different ways; what it means to us/to our family, what negative/good/crazy it’s causing in our lives. It’s my hope that our collective memoire will include some silver linings, some unexpected treasures discovered that keep us sane and in touch with others and ourselves.
I want to encourage everyone reading this newsletter today to reach out to one another. While social media is a great way to stay in touch, so is a phone call or a handwritten note; set up a zoom happy hour chat – see those faces you’ve missed and hear those voices that maybe you took for granted pre-COVID. Find a way to be together without being together.
From my heart to yours, stay strong and be encouraged! I cannot wait to be together again!
Love, Mel
In an effort to generate some laughs, I offer the following. I hope you will enjoy these funnies
WICKED WHISK
Wicked Whisk was able to cater a wedding in August for a couple that had their wedding pushed back from April due to Covid19 restrictions/shut downs. It was a beautiful event and we were so proud and honored to be a part of their special day! Below are some featured photos and the wonderful review we received from their wedding planner, Kaitlin McCoy!
Photo Credit by: Nate Messarra Photography