In recent years, I’ve established a tradition of sharing highlights, quotes and key take-aways from the Gazelles ScalingUp Summit. The pandemic has impacted this year’s spring summit (originally scheduled for Dallas in May) and so I am stepping away from that tradition for now. Instead, I am sharing quotes from these recent months that are relevant, remarkable or uplifting to our present environment.

“The current situation is almost prophetically designed to showcase the farce of our societal approach to separating our work and family lives…’Making it work’ is only true for those with the most privilege among us.”  Chloe I. Clooney, in her online post The Parents are Not All Right

“When you’re being bombarded with messages like ‘stay safe at home’ that can be really hard to hear when home is not a safe place.” Kelly Starr, spokeswoman for the Washington State Coalition against Domestic Violence

“I was ready. I was ready physically and mentally for this. Being locked down, that’s just quarantine right there. Being in one place, one store, one laundry, one kitchen, one gym. That prepared me for what’s going on right now.” Derrick Redd, from his home, released from two decades in prison on March 23.

“Sometimes in our lives we all have pain; We all have sorrow; But if we are wise; We know that there’s always tomorrow. Lean on me, when you’re not strong; And I’ll be your friend; I’ll help you carry on; For it won’t be long; ‘Til I’m gonna need; Somebody to lean on…” The beginning lyrics to “Lean on Me,” which has become a theme song of inspiration for over-extended health care workers. “Lean on Me” became much more poignant with the passing of Bill Withers, its Grammy-Award winning singer and song-writer, who passed away on March 30 at the age of 81 from heart complications.

 “We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

For additional quotes, especially those from history that have new relevance, visit David Allen’s essay in The Wisdom Project.