Now is not the time to retreat.

We are a day away from 2020’s midway point.

2020 has been...everything. I recently heard someone use the saying ‘hills and valleys’ and I think that perfectly describes the year thus far. The year has had many highs and lows.

And as many of our cities begin pausing reopening plans, it would make sense to retreat and just ‘wait out’ the rest of the year.

But now is not the time.

Now is not the time to retreat from our personal responsibilities. There are things we can all do to help protect ourselves and those we care about from COVID-19. Wearing a mask when you can’t social distance is our responsibility.

Now it not the time to retreat from our goals. Now is the time to reaffirm our goals and continue to find ways to achieve them despite our current, unique challenges. Adapt. Thrive.

Now is not the time to forget everything that 2020 has taught us. Never have we been more prepared for the situation we are in than we are now. Never have we been as educated about issues such as Black Lives Matter as we are now.

This knowledge should empower us and thrust us into the second half of 2020 with purpose and determination.

Now is the time to reimagine what’s possible, plan a path to achieve it, and act on it - safely.