If Jimmy John’s and Warby Parker offer their take, we will, too.
If you don’t consume podcasts on the reg, you may not be familiar with our project over at The Scout Podcast. And if that’s the case, you didn’t catch 30-minutes worth of introverted Dad advice from Jordan and Jeff.
In not quite a transcribed version of said episode, we’ve captured the gist (including a list of 1o basics to keep this ship on course) for your consideration.
First, what you can expect from us.
We’ve talked about this before. In blog posts, on the podcast, in the email, to anyone who will listen. In the early days of The Scout, someone important to us left an eight-and-a-half by eleven inscribed with these words on my desk:
Civilization is a stream with banks. The stream is sometimes filled with blood from people killing, stealing, shouting and doing things historians usually record; while on the banks, unnoticed, people build homes, make love, raise children, sing songs, write poetry and even whittle statues. The story of civilization is the story of what happened on the banks.
And it changed everything.
This remains a guiding principle at Scout HQ. It’s exactly what we’ll continue delivering Monday through Friday in the daily email. Regardless of what’s happening in the stream, we will always be here to share the story of the banks.
So know the email is there and will continue to be if you need to escape the raging dumpster fire that is retweets and Facebook comments.
A reflection on legacy.
We challenge you to think of this thing by way of legacy. Short term and long term, how we all react to what’s going on in the world around us defines so much of who we are. We’re going to be okay, and we’re going to be okay because of compassion and humanity.
Before we bang through our 10 suggestions, know that none of this started yesterday or ends in eight weeks. We hope this list rearranges your mental furniture a bit. Rattles some things around in your dome and gives you pause.
We hope it doesn’t. We hope you’re already there.
If not, go ahead and make these regular characters in your daily interactions, virtual or otherwise. Leggo.
#1: Read.
You keep saying you’re going to make time and we know you have a Good Reads Yearly Challenge that’s lagging. A few recommendations from our shelves:
- The Thank You Economy, Gary Vaynerchuk
- The Anatomy of Peace, The Arbinger Institute
- With: Reimagining the Way You Relate to God, Skye Jethani
- Uncommon Type, Tom Hanks
- Where the Sidewalk Ends, Shel Silverstein
#2: Love Local.
American buying power has been on full-frickin’ display this week (Walmart is gonna be just fine). Imagine what could happen if we moved a bit of the focus off ourselves and onto the community. Places to start:
- Load up on local gift cards.
- Order carryout or delivery from your favorite spots.
- Get online and buy merch from the bands you follow.
- Pre-order goods for future pickup and pay now.
- Tip well and often.
#3: Invest in People.
Folks with part-time gigs or college jobs may find themselves out of work as places close up shop or cancel events. If you can offer the work, offer it. If you can offer referrals, those work, too.
#4: Walk it Out.
Not only is exercise a free way to boost your immune system, it’s a solid option to manage all that stress and anxiety you’re packing. Better to take it out on all the extra snacks we’re smashing than our friends and family.
#5: Socialize.
You may already be owning Social Distancing BINGO—Free Space for shouting, “I’m done reading the news!”—but you can practice being alone, together. Call your folks and grandparents. Catch up with old college friends on Facebook. We may be taking it a little too far here, but find a stamp and send someone a letter. Especially those who we’re supposed to be distancing from. Those who have compromised immunity can quickly be forgotten. They NEED to hear from you. Schedule it. Daily, weekly, whatever. Make it a part of your new normal.
#6: Share.
See checklist item #2 on buying power. We’re not making any political statements here, but even kids can tell you what’s happening in our grocery stores is asinine. We don’t need to share just the green beans and bacon (why the heck is all the bacon gone?), but the burden. Some folks will be homebound, unable to provide for themselves. When schools close, some kids will miss meals. Every time a politician opens his or her mouth, the tap cracks open for heated discourse and confusion from all sides. It’s our job to be the light in all this. Put down your phone, be a good neighbor.
#7: Be THE Example.
Our kids are watching. Neighboring states are watching. The world is watching how each of us carries ourselves, our businesses, our churches in this time. This is when that whole Charm & Hustle thing really counts. Look back at this in the future and be able to ask yourself “Did I make things better?” with confidence. We’ve talked the talk and read the emails. Let’s show ’em how it’s done.
#8: Reflect.
All that time you may be spending at home, put it to good use. Not to be too opportunistic, but we’re always talking about how life is so fast-paced and we just “don’t have the time for self care” or “wish we had more time to spend writing” or “need to work on our marriage.” Folks, meet time. It’s yours now.
#9: Wash Your Mitts.
And only sing the high harmony of Happy Birthday as loud as humanly possible every time. Your family and coworkers will love it. Promise. We know you’re tired of hearing this one, but if anything lasts after this is all said and done, we are pulling for hygiene.
#10: Binge.
When all else fails, stream video content. Look, we don’t want to be all doom and gloom. We don’t know how all this shakes out a week from now. But we do know there is plenty of stuff to watch online (beyond those “Day 5 with no sports” memes). Our picks this week:
Quar-an-tine, the-a-ters.
*whispers* Quarantine… quarantine… quarantine… *whispers*
That’s a movie preview joke.
- Abstract
- Space Jam
- Westworld
- You
- Ugly Delicious
- Living with Yourself
- Ozark (New season coming March 27)
- Brooklyn Nine-Nine
- The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
- Peaky Blinders
- What We Do in the Shadows
- The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
However you approach the weeks ahead, remember:
- It will get better.
- History has its eyes on you.
- Life happens on the banks, not in the stream.
- Sour Cream & Onion are the best Pringles.
If you now wish to consume this through the magic of earbuds, we have the button for you.
