What is going on

Post by João

You never see it coming. It's been true throughout history. Think Roman empire.

But Hemingway once wrote, and I paraphrase, "Rather be ready than lucky."

So, as the bottom fell from under our feet and MINUVIDA AZORES operations came to a halt, with five spring yoga retreats cancelled, I'm happy to report that we are fine.

Mainly because we were ready.

Over the last three years, we grew our business using a measured, sustainable approach, and that includes business finances. We saved when we could have splurged. We kept our aging econobox yet another year when we could have bought a shiny new one. We invested wisely in enhancements to the business, not luxury "I have to get that to keep up with the Joneses" outlays. We focused on the things that matter first.

Then shit hit the fan. Then all the phases of mourning. And now we are moving on and planning for the future. 

We are enjoying our orchards, eating tasty, fresh food and spending time with our animals, and even stepping out into nature, with ample social distancing (no one's around)!

As a small business with three full-time employees, we have been forced to institute a layoff. But thanks to government emergency aid, we will able to pay their salaries and have them back when a new version of normalcy returns. 

The thing is that "our way of life" before Coronavirus may not be worth it.

Consider this:

We are a problem to our planet (really, ultimately to ourselves, as the planet will recover and go on after we exit the scene). Every pandemic is a picture of humanity at a given time, I read recently. Our global economy, our consumerist mindset, with the "i" first is taking its toll.

As we have come to a halt, carbon emissions have dropped drastically – fewer factories, fewer cars, no planes, less coal production and so on. The virus is doing something world leaders couldn't. The waters in Venice are now transparent and the fish are returning. All over the world signs are emerging that while we are struggling the Earth's ecosystems are celebrating.

As members of the travel industry, we have a responsibility to think about the future differently:

• The huge carbon footprint left by air travel on a whim.
• The huge waste created by the hospitality industry to meet our ever-increasing thirst for amenities, newness and luxury.
• The urge to create new things out of thin air to attract more visitors, sell more useless stuff, and indulge the wildest fantasies.

​Are you still with me?

I propose that after this is over – and it will, I am sure – we focus on making travel a journey of discovery. Maybe then our lives will become more balanced, and those urges for extreme experiences and behaviors will subside.

I propose that after this is over – and it will, I am sure – we focus on making travel a journey of discovery. Maybe then our lives will become more balanced, and those urges for extreme experiences and behaviors will subside.

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• Let's rethink our priorities. Do we really need all the things we think we need.
• Let's not isolate ourselves with the noise of distraction and resume meaningful social contact when we actually can. Get to know your neighbors for real this time. A healthy community is a healthy society.
• Let's be generous. It's great to be rakin' in the dough, but are we aware those resources could be used better than and livin' the life?
• Let's engage in more healthy, balanced lifestyles. Do we REALLY have to work 60 hours a week to get that promotion, to climb the corporate ladder, so we can rake in the dough and live the life?
• Let's become more resourceful, self-reliant and self-sufficient. After all, if you become all of the above, you are likely to be healthier and more likely to survive the apocalypse.
• Let's travel with purpose. (Given our line of business, I had to insert this one here.) Go travel to beautiful destinations to get away from it all, but let it be a journey of discovery, not a journey of debauchery.

If you come to us, you will find me indulging in cooking a meal, getting drunk on plants, cliffs and waterfalls, finding luxury in afternoon naps on grassy surfaces and livin' the life, MINUVIDA style.

Join us on a journey of discovery when times allow.

See you then!
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