Don’t Worry About The Future
Some of the best advice I ever received was “don’t worry about the future.” In all my years of worrying about things yet to come, the only tangible benefit has been how unsurprised and underwhelmed I am when the event finally happens. I was worried about turning 40 once upon a time. Now, I wish I was 40 again.
In 2020 we’ve had lots to worry about — the pandemic, the economy, riots, floods, wildfires, locusts, and pestilence. The good news is that “this too shall pass.” Nothing lasts forever, not even the really, really, bad, big scary stuff. Remember Murder Hornets?
Next week we have an election. Both sides have used the airwaves and social media to position this election as a contest of “good vs. evil”…”the most important election of our lives”…“the most divisive election in our nation’s history”…and my personal favorite “the survival of the Republic is at stake.” And it’s all designed to get you to worry so much that you vote for your candidate, because you fear the other candidate. And it’s all hogwash.
If you’re worried about the Presidential election, don’t. In the grand scheme of things, it just doesn’t matter. Regardless of who wins the election on Tuesday, November 3rd, the sun will rise and set on Wednesday, November 4th. The stock market will rise — or fall. Balloons will go up and fall back down. You will have coffee. You will go to work. You will take the trash out. You will kiss your kids goodnight. And it won’t really matter who is moving into or out of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., Washington, DC 20500.
Two hundred and twenty years ago, Thomas Jefferson defeated John Adams in the presidential election of 1800. Dubbed the “Revolution of 1800,” TJ won the incredibly divisive election by only eight electoral votes. History tells us Jefferson did a pretty good job. The Republic survived. While neither Biden nor Trump is a Jefferson, I think we’ll be just fine regardless of who is declared the victor next week or in December or next January.
If 2020 has taught us anything it’s that worrying for the sake of worrying is a huge waste of energy. Baz Luhrmann’s pop hit of columnist Mary Schmich’s classic essay, Wear Sunscreen, advises “Don’t worry about the future. Or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum.”
I haven’t worried about Algebra since 1987. So far, so good.
Monday, October 26 — Care for Caregivers
It’s official. Our client the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association (VHHA) has joined forces with Inova Health System to support the emotional and psychological needs of health care professionals in Virginia affected by the challenges of dealing with COVID-19. Madison+Main was proud to come up with the name of the program as well as develop the brand identity and logo. Read more about this important partnership here.
Tuesday, October 27 — Smiles All Around
On Tuesday we got word that our friends at the Lucy Corr Foundation were one of 18 community-focused nonprofits to receive a grant from the John Randolph Foundation. Made possible by the Mission Fund, the Lucy Corr Foundation was provided with a very generous $7,500 to support the expansion of oral health services for uninsured or underinsured senior citizens in the Tri-cities area. Read more about the grants that were divvied out as part of the Foundation’s spring awards cycle. 2021 will be my 10th year on the Lucy Corr Foundation Board and I’m so proud of what this organization has accomplished over the last decade.
Wednesday, October 28 — Oh, Shoot!
Although the photo looks as if our Creative Director Art Webb is telling photographer Cade Martin he missed a spot while hanging drywall, the dynamic duo was working instead on gathering photos of Hermitage Richmond’s model apartment and other facilities.
On Wednesday afternoon we had our weekly team meeting with our counterparts at the Virginia Department of Health, where we gave an update on the ongoing COVIDWISE PR and marketing campaign. Here are the latest numbers: 731,538 Virginians have downloaded Virginia’s official Exposure Notifications app. This represents 17.2% of Virginians 18-65 years old with a smartphone. If you haven’t downloaded COVIDWISE yet, what are you waiting for? It’s fast. It’s free. And it saves lives. Get it here.
Thursday, October 29 — Be More Pirate
While I was battening down the hatches of my pirate ship, awaiting Hurricane Zeta to finish tossing me around, my hearty crew persevered without me. To my surprise and delight, I learned that they all decided to Be More Pirate and dress up as bold buccaneers in honor of Halloween…and my birthday.
Friday, October 30 — Happy Halloween Eve!
Tomorrow is Halloween and I doubt that I’ll be handing out candy, but I will turn 53. #mancandy
Shoot us an email over the weekend and show us how you creatively passed out candy while practicing social distancing. We’d love to see your spooky good ideas and share them on social media.
A Few of Our Favorite Events
Master Distiller’s Dinner at A. Smith Bowman Distillery
1 Bowman Drive | Fredericksburg, VA
November 14, 2020 | 6-9 p.m.
A. Smith Bowman Distillery and Earth Apple LLC have partnered to bring you a unique bourbon experience! Master Distiller Brian Prewitt will start the evening off with a guided tasting of rare Abraham Bowman Limited Edition Whiskies, accompanied by delectable small bites specially selected by Chef Jessica Wilkins. Following the tasting, Chef Jessica will treat guests to a 3-course dinner served with carefully crafted bourbon cocktails. Tickets will cost $125 per person and go on sale October 14 at 10 a.m. via Eventbrite.
Got an upcoming event you want to share? Can we come? Send us the deets!
“Yes I am a pirate, 200 years too late. The cannons don’t thunder, there’s nothing to plunder, I’m an over-forty victim of fate.“
— Jimmy Buffett, “A Pirate Looks at Forty” (1974)