As we hear story after story of the heroic work the Atlas team is doing every day, and the love and devotion they show to the residents living in our communities, we are reminded of a few quotes. Below is the first one:
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”
– Theodore Roosevelt
Thank you for being in the arena, for pressing forward every day. We are fighting a battle and the rules seem to change constantly. We know that isn’t easy. We appreciate all you are doing to keep the residents and your fellow associates safe.
Perception
A man pulled into a gas station on the outskirts of town. As he filled his tank, he remarked to the attendant, “I’ve just accepted a job in town. I’ve never been to this part of the country. What are the people like here?”
“What are the people like where you came from?” asked the attendant.
“Not so nice. In fact, they can be quite rude,” replied the man.
The attendant shook his head. “Well, I’m afraid you’ll find the people in this town to be the same way.”
Just then another car pulled into the station. “Excuse me,” the driver called out, “I’m just moving to the area, is it nice here?”
“Was it nice where you came from?” The attendant inquired.
“Oh yes! I came from a great place. The people were friendly, I hated to leave.”
“Well, you will find the same to be true of this town.”
“Thanks,” yelled the driver as he pulled away.
“So, what is the town really like?” asked the first man, now irritated with the attendant’s conflicting reports.
The attendant just shrugged his shoulders. “It’s all a matter of perception. You’ll find things to be just the way you think they are.”
There is an old adage that says that people are about as happy as they make their mind up to be. John Milton put it another way in his book Paradise Lost: “The mind is its own place and in it you can make a heaven of hell or a hell of heaven.”
With all the stress, uncertainty, and chaos going on in the world right now, I know this isn’t always easy, but as you go through this week choose to make it a good one. Think positively and you will be amazed how contagious that attitude and approach to life really is. I have seen so many examples of this coming out of the communities the last two weeks.
Our associates are a beacon of light in a dark world right now. Your positive attitude has made each community shine in its own unique way and has shown the world why people should choose senior living for their loved ones, even in times like these. You make a positive difference in peoples’ lives every day. Be proud of that. Know that we appreciate everything you are doing, day in and day out during this time.
We will be working on another supply order for associates over the next week or so and other ways we can show our appreciation for all the hard work you are doing day in and day out. Please let us know how we can better serve you during this time.
“I firmly believe that any man’s finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is the moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle- VICTORIOUS.”
– Vince Lombardi
You are on the front lines fighting the good fight right now. I know it isn’t easy, but we are going to beat this thing and come out on the other end stronger for it, together. Thank you for all you are doing. Let us know what we can do for you during this time to help you during this battle.
At your service,
Wyman Hamilton
President and COO
Scott Goldberg
President and CEO
