by Skip Cohen As usual, my mind is miles away from business and marketing on Sunday mornings, especially on St. Patrick's Day. At 7:00 am, I picked up the phone and called my college roommate, Rich. For one of the few times over all these years, I was the first to call! For fifty-six years, we've had a tradition of seeing who'd be the first to remind the other what we were doing in 1968. It was St. Patrick's Day, and Rich and I decided to celebrate. Neither of us had ever been drunk before, and true to the stupidity of most first-year college students, we felt we were ready for the task. We started drinking green beer at 7:00 am at the Purity in Oxford, Ohio. By 8:30 am, we were a mess, but the bar was packed, and we weren't going to slow down. Rich had a big half-gallon Viking-looking tankard he'd gotten as a high school graduation gift, and when people got up to dance, we'd grab what was left of their beers and pour them into his tankard. We were able to continue our binge with minimal spending! Around 11:00 am, a few of our friends came to drag us out and safely get us back to the dorm. The rest of the day was ugly. Rich and I each grabbed a stall in the men's room and "drove the porcelain bus!" It's a great memory that puts this gigantic smile on my face. Sheila's heard the story dozens of times, but once a year, it's a classic trip down Memory Lane that I'm encouraged to share over and again. It's not just a classic event but about tradition. It's about two knuckleheads who have hung on to a moment from their past and elevated it to a testimonial to their friendship. Rich is in the DC area, and we check up on each other with phone calls a few times a year. Although we've only physically seen each other a couple of times over the years, that doesn't change the respect and love we have for each other. It's been said that everlasting friends go long periods of time without speaking and yet never question the friendship. These friends pick up like they just spoke yesterday, regardless of how long it has been or how far away they live, and they don't hold grudges. They understand that life is busy and love is there. TheMindsJournal Wishing everyone a day that's filled with smiles. Find the time to savor a great memory and then share it with somebody whose presence in your life you cherish. Go for those eleven-second hugs I always write about.
Happy Sunday...or Monday on the other side of the world. And to Rich - sure do love ya buddy!
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by Skip Cohen It's Sunday morning, and Reflections is rarely about business and marketing. It's always more personal and, hopefully, something that makes a point you can relate to. As I started to write, Lucy and Belle came in looking for a bit of lovin'. They waited for me to stop typing as if they could talk and say, "Hey, Dad, how about us?" It's their usual routine, but this morning, it hit me about how it's the little things that often make the most significant difference. Then I remembered an inspirational reading from last week by Cyndie Spiegel: EVERY SINGLE MOMENT MATTERS: Every moment matters - not just the big ones, but also the small ones, the seemingly irrelevant ones and the quiet ones. All of these moments add up to a life well lived. Don't take the presumably unimportant moments for granted. Look for them and treasure them instead. Listen for the words unspoken. Notice the quick glance. Feel the soft touch. The long-held hugs. The sadness. The graciousness. The in-between. The magical sweet spots between tiny and massive moments are your life. Don't forget to pay attention to them. In the end, this is really all we have. Time is our most valuable commodity, and it goes by faster and faster as you get older. But two pups this morning got me thinking about how much I've grown to treasure the little things in my life. Every moment really does matter, even the tiniest. But so often, we're all so busy slaying dragons that little things slip right by. Wishing all of you a day to appreciate the little things in your life. Whether they put a smile on your face or a tear - they're all part of your life. And as the author above wrote - All of these moments add up to a life well lived. Go for those long hugs with the people most special in your life, and at the same time, think about how much richer your life is because they're in it. Happy Sunday or Monday on the other side of the world. by Skip Cohen Sunday Morning Reflections are rarely about business or marketing, but my time to be a little more personal. This morning, I sat down at the computer and spent the next forty-five minutes trying to figure out what to write about. It finally hit me... Turn the clock back to when you were a kid. It took so little to be happy and laugh. There was no place we couldn't go with our imaginations in full gear! Into adulthood, so many of us let the stress in our lives stifle our ability to laugh more and just be happy. Well, this morning it dawned my how amazing life truly is. In fact, to quote the original Little Rascals...It's REMARKABLE! My life has evolved into time with Sheila, two pups, wonderful routines, a few great friends, and a whole lot of laughter. My imagination is in full gear. Every day starts with puppy time. Then Sheila and I have breakfast together and progress into the day. After dealing with COVID, which we managed to avoid for four years, we're back to walking every morning. I spend a good deal of the day working, but there's that line about if you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life. Like so many of you who have found that sweet spot in your careers, you know exactly what I'm talking about. STOP WAITING FOR FRIDAY, for summer, for someone to fall in love with you, for life. Happiness is achieved when you stop waiting for it and make the most of the moment you're in now. Genevieve Colmer Here's my point - so many people spend so much time looking and waiting to find happiness when the reality is that it's right there, right now! It's a not-so-secret ingredient of trusting your heart, appreciating life, and doing your best not to waste time, your most valuable commodity.
And if you're not happy and diving out of bed each day smiling, take a break and think through what seems to be in the way. As photographers especially, you can't create photographs that tug at people's heartstrings if your own heart isn't in it. Once you tweak the recipe for being happy, you'll be amazed at how your creativity ramps up as well. That imagination you had as a kid will be back in full swing. Wishing everybody a day where you take the time to appreciate all the happiness around you. I get that sounds pretty sappy and even hokey, but the key is in that quote above. Happiness is achieved when you stop waiting for it. by Skip Cohen Shakespeare gets credit for the quote, but there have been so many versions of the same theme—one of them from Cyndie Spiegel in her daily inspirational book a few days ago. BECOME AN EXPERT IN YOU: There is no one else as good at being you than you are. Be open to receiving advice but also trust that you know yourself better than anyone. You are an expert in your own experiences; own that. Boldly accept what makes you different. Believe in your abilities. Trust your intuition. Stand up for your ideas and know that you are exactly who you should be. There is no reason to add much more except to remind you never to let anyone get in the way of chasing your dreams. Listen to your heart, trust your gut, and believe in yourself! Wishing everybody a terrific day ahead with time to just appreciate everything you've done and are doing. Hug your "village" - and let them know how much you appreciate their support. Go for those eleven-second hugs I always write about with the people you love the most. And along with Cyndie Spiegel and Shakespeare, even Dr. Seuss hit the idea... Today you are you! That is truer than true.
There is no one alive who is youer than you! Dr. Seuss by Skip Cohen Two weeks ago I arrived at IUSA. The anticipation of catching up to old friends and associates and making new friends bordered on overwhelming. I was that stereotypical little kid on Christmas morning. IUSA, although slower than anticipated attendance-wise, was no disappointment. It was a great trip and just what I needed to recharge my "battery," add a few new projects, and set the stage for the new year. I didn't anticipate that two days after getting home, COVID would knock on our front door. And a week after that, Sheila picked it up. But overall, there was more good news than bad. First, to date it's been no more than a bad cold. Second, it was relatively fast-moving. Third, and this was the best part - the lack of energy was perfect to simply rest and follow the doctor's orders to take it easy. That gave me plenty of time to ponder - create a couple of fun new projects and get closer to figuring out what I want to be when I grow up. Although our routine of reading something motivational slowed down a little, today's was perfect! Author Cyndie Spiegel hit a home run this morning. THE WORLD DOESN'T NEED MORE SAMENESS Say what you feel. Wear what you want. Do what you please. Believe what you believe. Have your opinion. Graciously hear the opinions of others, but do not allow anyone to bully you out of your truth. Stand in who you are. Take a stand for others. Celebrate what makes you different. The world is awaiting your honesty, rebellious, and wild soul. Show us who you really are. And here's my point...It's a new year with an empty canvas waiting for each of us to "show who we really are." I'm not sure I could be more excited about 2024 - I just need to get out of this real-life NyQuil commercial I'm still stuck in! LOL
Wishing everybody a fantastic day ahead! Go for those eleven-second therapeutic hugs with the people you love the most. Let them know how important they are in your life, and don't forget how important you are in theirs. Happy Sunday...or Monday on the other side of the world. by Skip Cohen Sunday Morning Reflections is rarely about business, but there's always a connection to what's going on in my life and maybe yours. I started the series because I wanted to get a little more personal than topics about marketing. As I've written about in the past, Sheila and I each have a different book we read each morning. We've chosen two different authors who have written daily inspirations. We'll finish breakfast together and then take a few minutes to share whatever is down for that day from each of our books. While Sheila's book is more about spirituality, mine is focused on positive thinking by Cyndie Spiegel. I snuck ahead on my reading, and tomorrow's hit me as a thought so many of us, from time to time, miss: Happiness isn't found out on a beach somewhere basking in the hot sun. It isn't found in a cocktail glass or in approval from others. It is not something you need to chase or find. Instead, you can create it right here, where you are now, with the choices you make each day. Choose to take good care of yourself. Do what brings you joy. Live a life you believe in. Spend time in the company of those who uplift you. Be kind. Happiness is the side effect of all of these experiences; it is not a thing you find out there. When I look back over the years, I spent so much time chasing happiness when all the time it was "inside." It was all about the choices I was making. So often, we're too close to our own lives to recognize what we're doing that's blocking the way to happiness. We're focused on the wrong things and putting energy into a journey that might be down the wrong path. And there's my point - just like the airlines telling you to put your oxygen mask on first before helping others, that smile you need in your soul is the same. You've got to find your happiness first - and it's all under your control if you just look hard enough and listen to your heart. Wishing all of you a day ahead that's filled with happiness. It's not about being overjoyed; it's just about being content and comfortable with your decisions and recognizing the people who love you. Go for those eleven-second therapeutic hugs I've been writing about for years, and make it a weekend to look back on with a smile. Happy Sunday...or Monday on the other side of the world. by Skip Cohen It's a new year; my first Reflections post for 2024. I'm staying with my usual theme - rarely, talking about business and marketing. Sunday mornings are about the personal side of life, and this morning's topic has been on my mind a lot lately..."Why?" It does jump into a business related topic, but when I headed out on my own in 2009, everybody thought I was nuts, which I am, but that's not the point. As I wrote recently, I still have days when I don't know what I want to be when I grow up. A friend recently asked me why I do what I do every day. Well, it starts with simply loving this industry. I stumbled into it completely by accident so many years ago. As I pondered my "Why," I really couldn't come up with a profound answer, except to say I love what I'm doing for several reasons: First, I'm the biggest groupie on the planet when it comes to artists in imaging. It starts with your creative spirit and then respect for your entrepreneurial endeavors. For years, I lived vicariously through all of you as small business owners until 2009, when I decided to see if I could walk the talk. Second, while my heart is that of an artist, my passion became the business and marketing side of life. I don't have the photographic creativity I respect that so many of you possess, but I wanted to play a part in an industry I love. My quest to help you focus on more than the capture of an image became insatiable. Most of you are off-the-chart right-brainers. Your creativity drives everything you do, leaving you little time to develop the operational side of your business as it deserves. So, I started sharing ideas about how to build a stronger business model. Third is the product itself - helping the world capture memories. You're the magicians who turn the intangible into something tangible, photographs and videos people can physically hold forever. Think about everything you feel when you look at old photos. That old line about a picture being worth a thousand words puts all of you as authors at a level with Shakespeare! I became an industry cheerleader, occasionally criticized for seeing the world through rose-colored glasses. Through the challenges of the pandemic, up and down economies, changing technology, and even a recession or two - the world has never slowed down in the need to capture memories. That makes the fight to help you thrive even more important. Well, here I am, still working while most people my age have retired. Why? Because I love it, and there's a never-ending need for help in post-production - not the manipulation and printing of an image, but in the final stage of creating a successful and sustainable business. My mantra has never changed: I do it because I can. I can because I want to. I want to because you said I couldn't. Anon It's a new year, and if you're questioning your "Why," take some time to consider why you chose this career path. It's a path that requires complete focus, not just on the technology of capture but on the importance of fulfillment to a client base that will never let you down as long as you stay focused on their needs. You can't create images that tug at people's hearts if your own heart isn't in it.
Wishing everybody a day ahead that's filled with love, peace and confirmation to support your "Why." Go for those eleven-second therapeutic hugs with the people you care most about. Friends and family are a big part of your "Why," but don't forget that face in the mirror. Happy Sunday...or Monday if you're on the other side of the world. “Celebrate endings—for they precede new beginnings.” Jonathan Lockwood Huie by Skip Cohen
When I started this series, Sunday was simply a way for me to recharge for the week ahead. Reflections became a labor of love, allowing me to step away from writing about business and marketing. A few days ago, I posted what I thought at the time would be the last post for 2023. Well, it's Sunday, and I'm a creature of habit. So, this is a short post wishing you a HAPPY and HEALTHY New Year. May the new year bring you success and one step closer to your dreams. And as far as this past year - savor the view in your rearview mirror because everything that happened, good or bad, in the past brought you to today. Thank you for your support, feedback, and especially friendship. Happy New Year! Happy Holidays - Make It the best by remembering what it is really all about. Bob Coates by Skip Cohen My good buddy, Bob Coates, shared his comment above in 2017 and again just this past week. It's perfect to share together with my thoughts on Christmas Eve 2023. Whether your beliefs have you celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or any other holiday this time of year, I want to wish you all the happiest and healthiest of holidays. I've always been a big fan of December's holiday spirit. It's a time when, no matter how bizarre the world is, there are moments of peace, gratefulness, and joy to cherish and savor. It's a time when Bob's quote is so relevant. One of my most favorite holiday messages came from a friend. "Craig" wrote this eight years ago about his life with his wife, "Erin". The image he used reminded me of the first holiday card photo Sheila and I shared after moving to Florida, coincidentally captured by Bob Coates in 2011. Craig described his relationship with Erin. As I read it, I felt like Christopher Robin would appear any minute. It's so well done, and deserves an encore performance. Wishing all of you happy holidays one more time. Take the time for those eleven-second therapeutic hugs with those people special to you. Don't hold back from reminding them of their importance in your life. Cherish each minute and give yourself a big pat on the back - another year has passed, and along the way, you worked hard, grew your skill set, and have a lot to be proud of. It's time to relax and get ready for a whole new year with new challenges, but even better, new milestones to celebrate. Happy Holidays! Not at the beginning mind you, but fairly early along the path did the Blue Jay and the Mole cross. Quite by coincidence really, and certainly out of the ordinary as that’s not normally a pair you’d assume to be friends. Walking in the forest can be unpredictable. Sometimes you just cross paths, at just the right time, with someone you’re not looking for. And if you happen to say the proper things like “My, isn’t it a lovely day” or “I quite fancy your ugly hat” or “I do,” you both can get lost, obliviously, in that lovely fog of connectedness that ever so rarely reaches the forest floor. The next thing you both know you are QUITE far down the path. Farther than you’ve ever been. So you look both ways; backwards….been there….forward…..yes, doesn’t look totally scary. “I’ll go there with you.” And so you walk. Together, hand in hand. And time stands still, or so it seems. You make “traveling companions” on your walk, those who started at the same time or love the same parts of the forest that you do. You make a family, or, in this case, Mole Jays (Blue Moles just didn’t sound right). And although you wouldn’t think a Mole Jay could fly away, one day they do. But you keep walking because there is so much yet to do and see. All of which leads me to this part of the story.
After walking for days uncounted, the Jay and the Mole came upon an alpine lake in the early afternoon (of their lives) and decided “this is a good place to rest.” They unpacked their toasted tomato and PB/ham sandwiches (respectively) and sat waterside, enjoying the solitude. Perhaps it was the alpine air, perhaps the clearness of the mountain lake, or perhaps, as years before, they had crossed a path together at the same time; but in the quiet and reflection of the water they saw their lives, and how they had been blessed. Their relationship, their children, their friends, and yes, all right, even you! (you’re so needy!). And it was all wonderful. The End. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year from the Mole and the Jay (Craig and Erin)! I finally realized it. People are prisoners on their phones, that's why they're called CELL phones! Anonymous by Skip Cohen It's Sunday morning, and not only do I rarely talk about business, but occasionally, I like to rant. And this morning is no exception. My topic is the need to put down the phone! I'm tired of people looking at their phones, no matter where or what they're doing! When did our need to be connected to the outside world take priority over everything else we do? What if we kicked back and appreciated everything going on around us; without letting anybody else in? I recognize that I'm older than many of you, but I miss the days when talking face-to-face was a priority. I realize that sounds archaic today, but we're the ones who changed the rules. We're the ones who chose to answer every call, look at every text, check email first thing every day, and make social media the hub of contact with the outside world! Cell phones bring you closer to the people far from you, but take you away from those sitting next to you! Anonymous And there's my point - too many of us, me included, miss out on all the wonderful little snippets of life going on around us because we're obsessed with technology and being in touch with the world - ALL THE TIME. How often have you been sitting in a restaurant and noticed how many people are on their phones? I remember a family of five having dinner at one of our favorite restaurants, and everyone was on their phone checking emails and texts. So, look at your phone now, starring right at the screen. As you focus on your phone, notice the blurry depth of field all around it - that's called LIFE! Every minute on your phone means you're missing all the best stuff. Wishing you a terrific day ahead - one without needing to be on your phone! Go for those real connections with the people you love most and friends who appreciate you without a phone in your hand. Don't forget those eleven-second therapeutic hugs, and remember, genuine connections don't get measured in Mbps or pixels. Happy Sunday...or Monday on the other side of the world. Those who love deeply never grow old. They may die of old age, but they die young. Ben Franklin You can't help getting older, but you don't have to get old. George Burns by Skip Cohen Remember, it's Sunday, and I never talk about business when I sit down to write Sunday Morning Reflections. I also never know where my thoughts are going to take me. I woke up creaking a little more than usual and started to write something sarcastic about aging, but I got bored with the topic almost immediately. So I went off searching for a good quote, and those two above hit me. They both are about the secret of slowing down the aging process - laugh more bitch less. Benjamin Franklin and George Burns were born 190 years apart, but they both had the same idea - appreciating the people around you, laughing more, and loving life. Okay, I'm reading more into what they both said, but I know I'm right on the money! And here's my point - I'm not suggesting it's easy, but as I've gotten older, that old line about, "Don't stress the small stuff...and it's ALL small stuff!" has become more and more important to me. That doesn't mean there aren't times when I totally miss the point, and stress and anxiety trump love and laughter. The point is, we're all work in progress. What I do know is that if I miss a time to laugh, love, and appreciate the moment, I can never get it back. Wishing you a day filled with love, laughter, and appreciating everyone in your life that makes it special and unique. The one thing I love most about this time of year, regardless of your spiritual beliefs, it's a time to focus on joy. It might not always be easy to find, but it's always there. Go for those eleven-second therapeutic hugs with the people you love the most. That deep love will slow down the aging process...you don't have to get old. Wrinkles are only where the smiles have been.
Jimmy Buffet by Skip Cohen Over the years, Sunday morning posts have evolved into day-in-day-out topics that focus on everything BUT business and marketing. And this morning's point of focus is about turning back time. We all know the expression, "You can never go back." But having done a little time travel three days ago, I'm here to say it can be done. Let's set the stage: I've written a lot over the years about my good buddy Duncan MacNab. When he passed away last year, I shared this picture in the post of Bob Thompson and me with Dunc. Early last week, one of Duncan's daughters, Dani, texted me. She was visiting family in Florida, just a few miles from here, and wanted to catch up. We met at a local place for lunch, and from the second we sat down, the stories just flowed. I had stories about hanging out with her Dad that she'd never heard, and she had plenty of new stories for me. For two hours, we really did go back in time. And while now and then the laughs were interrupted with tears from both of us, nothing changed how wonderful it was to savor each of the memories. "Dani" was just a kid when I first met Dunc in the 80s. As we took turns sharing stories from the past, there were so many moments we both remembered but from another point of view. With each story from the past, we took turns talking about the behind-the-scenes backstories from each other's perspective. Here's the bottom line - with the right ingredients, you CAN go back. It's bitter-sweet, but it's beautiful. Sadly, we often let life get in the way and don't take a long look in the rearview mirror. It's funny; there are holidays for virtually every occasion, mostly created by the greeting card companies. Well, it's time somebody started a Happy Memories Day, where we all take the time to pick out people from our past and simply share the memories until we laugh and cry. As Dani and I sat there talking, the laughs and tears flowed, but a couple of times, I could feel Duncan and Donna's presence, even hearing a chuckle from one of them. Believe whatever you want, but angels do exist. Wishing everybody a day ahead filled with great memories of people you've loved. It's Thanksgiving week, but you don't have to wait until Thursday to give thanks. For me, I'm forever grateful to have the MacNab family in my life...and to Dunc and Donna - you guys did good. You raised two incredible daughters, Dani and Dori. Put their values together with their kids and all the lives you two touched, and you've defined immortality. No words describe how much I miss you both, but a long look in the rearview mirror was the next best thing to hanging out with you! And to Dani - you've got the best of both your Mom and Dad - what a kick to get time with you. I've still got stories you have yet to hear, and I'm saving them for the next time you're down here. Happy Sunday or Monday if you're on the other side of the world. by Skip Cohen Today's post comes with a warning label - Sunday Morning Reflections are never about business or marketing. However, they're hopefully about something you can relate to. For me, it's a therapy session as I write about something usually more personal and often on the taboo list of what the "experts" say you shouldn't share in a blog post! LOL The shot above, thanks to Adobe Stock, is pretty much me this morning. I couldn't decide what to write about and started several posts, only to hit the delete button. Lacking a decent night's sleep, for which I blame a York Peppermint Patty just before bed, I'm simply off a beat. Have you ever had a day kick-off where you were simply clueless - not just about the day's plans, but how you felt? My usual dive out of the bed to beat the Energizer Rabbit to the starting line just didn't happen. But with your help, combined with Sheila and the enthusiasm of two pups, I'm almost back in sync. Sheila and I ALWAYS take the pups out together. The backyard is fenced, and the morning's fun starts with these two knuckleheads running around like crazy, then doing their business, followed by at least fifteen minutes just lovin'. I stayed in bed this morning, grabbing more sleep, and the pups came to wake me up. Sensing something was off a beat, they both took turns snuggled up to me. Something was not quite right, and they felt it - it's that amazing intuition pups have to know precisely what you need, often when you don't know yourself. Now, here's where you came in - I mentioned Reflections is therapeutic. Well, trying to express what I'm feeling today, pups climbing all over me, and a partner who gave me room to bounce back together got me back on track. And there's my point - sometimes it takes a village! Sadly, so often, we forget we each have a village to draw from and lean on. So, if your day seems like it's going in the wrong direction, call in the troops! First call to make is to your heart - then check in with those people or critters you're closest to. As I'm writing, Lucy just wandered in, coming by for a hug, and then jumping into her spot on the loveseat in my office to keep an eye on me. Sometimes, you have to ride out whatever is slowing you down and remember the importance of gratitude. An hour ago, I was off a beat, tired, down in the dumps, and having little explanation of why. Maybe finding the "why" wasn't as important as accepting how I was feeling and moving on. Wishing you a day filled with gratitude and time to get a little sappy with the people (and pets) most important to you. And when you have a day like mine started out, go with it. Like stretching exercises before you work out, maybe that's all your heart and soul need - a little time to adjust and move on. Go for those eleven-second therapeutic hugs, just like the ones I'm about to hit Sheila and the pups with...they really do work. Happy Sunday - or Monday, depending on where you are in the world. by Skip Cohen It's Sunday morning, and if you've followed me for even the shortest time, you already know I'm about to jump the tracks from anything related to business! This is when I just let my fingers, heart and mind wander over the keyboard until something triggers a topic. This morning, I was looking through past purchases from Adobe Stock, and the one above hit me hard. A few recent challenges have left me living the same day twice and then some. And while I realize it's time to break the cycle, it's easier said than done. So, I went off searching for "life is too short" quotes, and Dr. Seuss came through! Life is too short to wake up in the morning with regrets. So, love the people who treat you right, forgive the ones who don't and believe that everything happens for a reason. If you get a chance take it. If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said it would be easy, they just promised it would be worth it. Dr. Seuss There's nothing more I want to add to this little gem except... Take the time to let those you love the most know their importance to you. Put all your regrets in a shoebox and kick it under the bed - let them live with the dust bunnies! Most important of all - everything does happen for a reason, which isn't always obvious. Accept the challenges and savor the changes in your life that make each day unique, and if the same day seems to repeat itself, then it's time to put up a detour sign and take a new route. Wishing everybody a perfect day ahead, jam-packed with smiles that give you that stupid Alfred E. Neuman "What, me worry?" look. Life is simply too short for anything else. Happy Sunday...or Monday if you're on the other side of the world. by Skip Cohen It's Sunday, and I never write about business and marketing, but instead, I like to run amuck on just about any other topic. This morning, I started by looking at images and illustrations I've bought over the years from Adobe Stock. The first image was the one above, followed by the image below. As kids, our imaginations ran wild. We'd lie on the grass and look at the clouds, finding all kinds of hidden critters. We'd build spaceships out of refrigerator boxes, forts out of blankets draped over the dining room table, and entire scenes of great battles with a bag of army men. There was no limit to what could be accomplished in creating our own virtual world - and we did it without one single electronic device. But we got older and lazier - why create a virtual event in our mind when we could do it on the computer? And we stopped lying in the grass because of fire ants and pesticides. And refrigerator boxes for spaceships and clubhouses - NOT - If we get a large appliance delivered, the box is immediately taken away by the delivery company for recycling. But that old line about "you can never go back" just isn't true. When it comes to your imagination and daydreaming, you can always turn back the clock. All that creativity is still there, screaming for an opportunity to be cut loose. The challenge is silencing the day-in-day-out noise, keeping stress at a distance, and allowing yourself to waste a little time and ponder some of the "what-ifs" in your life.
If you need to build a spaceship out of a cardboard box - go for it! Who's stopping you? We're all victims of our own sense of propriety - we're grown-ups and supposed to act like it. Whatever happened to the spirit of Peter Pan, who lived in each of us? We said we'd never grow up, but we gave in. We sold out - Now it's time to turn back the clock a little. And there's my point - take the time to daydream. Find a way to block out all the noise, lock up all the stress, and start staring at the clouds. If necessary, build a fort or, better yet, a castle with a wide moat - pull up the drawbridge and don't let anything interrupt your creative spirit. Wishing you a day ahead with time to let your spirit fly and daydream a little. Challenge all the daily paradigms and let your creativity juices flow. Life doesn't always have to get in the way of our dreams. Take the time to appreciate the people you love the most. Go for those long therapeutic hugs I always write about and, in the process, share some of those dreams you need to get back to chasing. Happy Sunday...or Monday on the other side of the world! Almost everything will work if you unplug it for a few minutes...including you. Anne Lamott by Skip Cohen
It's Reflections time, and as usual, I never focus on business and marketing topics. However, today's post is closer to a business necessity - taking a break. We spent last week in Hilton Head, SC, with friends, and except for United Airlines challenges, it was a pretty sweet week. As I put the collage of highlight photos together this morning, I was reminded of those first back-to-school "What I did on my summer vacation" projects. As we got older, we were expected to be more astute about our time off. I'm unsure when those assignments stopped, but I know I was NEVER astute. Well, here I am decades later, and my ability to be astute couldn't be more on target. It's a simple observation - What good is working as hard as we all do if we don't take time off to smell the roses? Sheila and I rationalize a lot - because we live in a vacation destination. There's not as much need to get away. Watching a beautiful sunset over the water, we'll often look at each other and say, "Hey, it's not our last night!" We both feel blessed to live where we do, but we need to get away more - plus, my camera or phone seems only to come out when we are out of town. Then there's the challenge of finding time with great friends - too often, life gets in the way. Here's my point: Take the time off whether you need it or not. It doesn't have to be a bucket list vacation, just time with people you care about in a different environment. And remember to capture a few memory-making shots or videos along the way. Wishing you a Sunday to make some memories. Capture them with your phone or camera so you can stop time and look back in the future. Go for those long therapeutic hugs with the people you love the most, and simply cherish time - because there's never enough of it. And to our friends Wendy and Chip - what a kick to get away with you guys! Happy Sunday...or Monday on the other side of the world. by Skip Cohen I've been MIA on Sunday Morning Reflections for the last couple of Sundays. The challenge was nothing major, just life getting in the way. I suppose it's good to be so busy your regular routine gets interrupted. On the other hand, SMR has always been a labor of love, and as I sat here trying to get started this morning, I started thinking about my dreams and aspirations. There's something that happens to your dreams as you get older - you become more selective. It's a lifeboat drill to see which dreams are still on point and those that need to be retired. While this might sound a little sad, it's not because your dreams aren't achievable, they just become more in focus. It's like pruning the roses I'm trying to grow - cutting back old growth creates the energy and path for new flowers. And here's my point - stay focused on your dreams. Modify them as needed, but don't let them go. Nothing is unachievable. It's just the timing that changes. Patience becomes a more significant resource, and those dreams that are still out of reach become more defined. The longer you keep them in focus, the more alternative routes you'll find to get there. So, I'll continue to live by my mantra... I do it because I can. I can because I want to. I want to because you told me I couldn't! Wishing you a day ahead that allows you time to focus on a dream or two. Go for those eleven-second hugs I've always written about with the people who mean the most to you. They're the ones who will help you achieve your dreams.
Happy Sunday...or Monday on the other side of the world. by Skip Cohen Normally on Sunday, I slow down after posting Sunday Morning Reflections, but I've got a day full of projects to complete, including a final review of my upcoming Hair of the Dog Summit presentation. (Apologies for the little infomercial, but it's a great program, and at $17 or $117, it's a no-brainer for photographers to attend.) At 5:15 AM I started thinking about today's post and it hit me how the older I get, the faster time seems to fly right by. I went off in search of some quotes about time and I stumbled on this one: Those who make the worst use of their time are the first to complain of its brevity. Jean De La Bruyere edI'm complaining about time's brevity but never considered whether I'm part of the cause. That led me to think through how I've been using my time. I did an inventory of my actions recently and realized I waste too much time on things that don't matter. For example, I can't win a fight with Comcast, but I'll waste time I can never get back, waiting on hold for Tech Support to fix something that might not even be that relevant at the time. Then there are times in social media answering an I.M. from somebody I don't know who wants to pitch me on something I don't want. Instead of deleting or blocking them, I respond with a sentence or two. What is it that makes me feel like they deserve a response and more of my time? It's not that I intentionally waste time, just that I've become A.D.D. over things that don't matter. I get easily distracted and waste time and energy. Like weeds in a garden - you can pull all the weeds you want, but it won't make a difference if you don't water and fertilize the flowers! And there's my point - Too many of us spend time focused on the wrong things. We chase issues that don't matter. We spend time, our most valuable commodity, on things with little or no return value. We're investing time in things with no R.O.I. Thinking through how I wanted to spend today, I made a list of what I want to accomplish. It's given me an almost tack-sharp focus on the day ahead - starting with getting this post up early. Wishing everybody a day with time to spend on truly important things. They don't have to be earth-shaking, just those things that have an impact. I define things with "impact" as whatever makes me smile and feel a sense of accomplishment. From an eleven-second therapeutic hug with Sheila to various projects around the house and even a touch on some business things to make the week ahead a little smoother - if it makes me smile, it's on the list for today. Happy Sunday...or Monday on the other side of the world. Yesterday’s the past, tomorrow’s the future, but today is a gift.
That’s why it’s called the present. Bil Keane by Skip Cohen
As I've written about in the past, Sunday Morning Reflections is never about marketing and business, and I never know what I'm going to write about until I sit down at the computer. Today's journey in blogging started with a comment on Facebook, by Dani Brewer, my good buddy Duncan MacNab's daughter. I shared a shot of Duncan in my Thursday throwback post, and she added another photo to the growing images in my MacNab "collection." Her post got me thinking about the power of old photographs. Off I went in search of images for a collage of very special people who have been in my life. The more I searched, the more I started to tear up until I finally took a short break just to cry. Yeah, I'm admitting it, but while the sadness of missing some extraordinary friends started the emotional avalanche, it finished with a smile over the pure joy of the memories they created. I replied to Dani's comment - It's our photographs and videos that add to the immortality of those very special and so loved people who will always be in our lives, even when they aren't. And there it is, my point this morning: We're part of an amazing industry, but to often we get so caught up in the stress of business and the speed of life that we miss savoring the look in the rearview mirror. It's all those old photographs that allow us to return to those special moments in the past. They give friends we've lost a degree of immortality - and through the tears, just like the sun coming out at the end of a storm, those memories recharge our spirit and, for me, my love for imaging. I'd be lost without my photographs! Wishing everybody a terrific day ahead and time to make new memories, and don't forget to capture them with a camera! Remember, today's photographs and videos will become tomorrow's most cherished memories. And if a picture is worth a thousand words, don't slow down on building your "library!" Happy Sunday...or Monday if you're on the other side of the world. Time and good friends are two things that become more valuable the older you get. Unknown Author by Skip Cohen It's Sunday morning, and as usual, I'm a long way from writing about business and marketing. But not far away from something we too often take for granted - great friends. For the third time since we moved to the Sarasota area in 2011, a hurricane rolled through the area this past week. Irma was our first, followed by Ian and then Idalia this week. All were at the same time of year, confirming that it's hurricane season. But I'm not writing about the weather, but the outpouring of support and prayers from friends, mainly through social media. We're a remarkable industry, and while I've been accused of being sappy and hokey over the years, it really is a family. We watch each other's backs, and whether it's storms, fires, floods, or something more personal - social media keeps us connected. Last night, Sheila and I were watching a movie. It was around 8:00 PM, and my office phone rang. I rarely answer it on the weekend, but it was from a good buddy, and it was instinct to think something was wrong. We hit the pause button on the movie, and I called him back. Nothing was wrong - he just hadn't caught up to me and wanted to see if everything was okay. The night before, I had another call from a friend out west doing a similar check. And I still have a call to return that's on my cellphone. Each one of these calls has been from a friend who simply wanted to check on Sheila, me, and the pups. Good friends help you find important things when you have lost them... things like your smile, your hope and your courage. Doe Zantamata There's my point - nothing beats great friendships. There's the indescribable rush as you appreciate knowing friends are keeping an eye out for you. It doesn't matter how they let you know, just that you know they're out there. My appreciation for so many of you is simply beyond measure.
Wishing everybody a calm day and a great holiday weekend if you're in the US. When we lived up north, Labor Day was always the last excuse for a summer barbecue. Now the grill is on all year long. Regardless of where you are on the planet, the day can only be as great as you choose to make it. Always go for those eleven-second therapeutic hugs I write about, and while you're there, don't forget to tell the recipient of the hug how important they are in your life. Happy Sunday...or Monday if you're on the other side of the world. PS. About today's photo* - the morning after Idalia, I wanted to see what was happening at the beach. Nokomis Beach is less than a mile away. Between the wind and the roar of the ocean, the sound was deafening. I cracked up over this grab-shot of a Dad with his daughters, and he's on his phone. However, I'm hoping he was just grabbing a picture and not checking his email! *LUMIX G9 with LUMIX G Vario 14-140mm lens: f5.6 @ 1/640 ISO 200 at 140mm |
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