"Slug day" can refer to a day of low energy or routine disruption...
Google AI

by Skip Cohen

It may be Black Friday to most of the country, but for us, it's the perfect slug day. It's taken years for us to perfect and develop a planned routine of simply not planning and taking time to do just about nothing. We've made it into a science, and it starts with "Spa Radio" from Pandora playing throughout the house, and with a chilly morning in Florida, the fireplace has its first taste of winter going right now.

Sheila and I will do our usual breakfast, spend some time with the pups, and then it's open season on anything that doesn't require deep thought or maximum energy. We might do a little light Internet shopping for holiday gifts, maybe watch a movie, and most important of all, just appreciate the post-Thanksgiving Day mood that finished yesterday with Sheila's pumpkin roll.

Okay, you've got the picture, but here's the most essential part of a successful slug day - recognizing you need a break. It's not about being overworked, but about being overloaded with whatever issues get in the way of making our hearts soar. And as sappy and hokey as that sounds, think about it for a minute.

Every day, we should start out fresh, with renewed energy and optimism. But life doesn't work that way, and it's tough to keep your head clear. I have a hard time compartmentalizing a variety of issues. Just like the "monkey on your back," when you've procrastinated too long on doing a specific project, it's hard for me to get away from whatever is causing more stress.

So, Sheila introduced me to the concept of "Slug Day."  After all these years together, I've finally mastered the technique. I know if your business is exclusive to the retail world, it's impossible to make today a slug day, but that doesn't mean you can't plan one for the near future. You need that respite to keep your creative juices flowing!

Wishing everybody a day and weekend ahead with time to kick back and appreciate everything and everyone in your life. Hopefully, you can enjoy the holiday weekend with a clear head and the energy to put all the challenges in your life aside for a day and recharge, smiling more and bitching less.

​Happy Friday... and if you're headed home by car or plane after Thanksgiving, stay safe, be patient, and take your time.

by Skip Cohen
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Yesterday I was interviewed by a writer for an excellent company that specializes in AI. They're working on a white paper document with contributors from a variety of different fields. I'm a big fan of AI, but I get frustrated with many of you. Some of you either see AI as the cure-all for everything you're missing, or you go the other way and worry about AI replacing your skills.

Any time I've ever been interviewed, been a podcast guest, etc., there are always things I think about after my initial unrehearsed responses. I've been thinking a lot about my conversation yesterday and my opinions on AI, which at times were more negative than positive.

The truth is, the combination of AI with many of the old standards gives a business owner the perfect tools to expand reach, customer loyalty and build more brand awareness. What I hate is the way so many businesses act like AI will make up for their incompetence in other areas, especially marketing.

As business owners, you still have to build relationships. You still need integrity to build trust, keep your promises, deliver on time, and exceed expectations! In fact, in a world that's driven by text messages and social media, that personal analog touch is even more important. Photography is still a word-of-mouth business, especially when it comes to Customer Service.

And as far as being replaced by AI, you still have to tell the client's story. Whether in an album or an individual print, clients are trusting you to see the world through their eyes. 

Technology never slows down, and you have to keep up with all the trends and ways to grow your skill set, but from my perspective, the demand will continue to be there for artists who listen to their clients. Ed Foreman, a motivational/marketing speaker many years ago, gave me some of the very best advice:

"If I can see the world through my client's eyes, then I can sell my client what my client buys!" It's a great concept, going well beyond the old line of "put yourself in their shoes." You have to understand what people in your target audience love most, what they worry about, and what/who are most important to them.

Years ago, I did a podcast interview with Mary Ellen Mark. She talked about covering the screen on the back of everyone's camera and forcing them to shoot like they were working with film. Why? Because she wanted people to stop "chimping" to see if they got the shot. The reality is, the real emotion in an image might have happened after the photographer moved on! For example, a grandmother hugging her granddaughter, a bride. What if the most powerful shot wasn't the hug, but the tear in Grandma's eyes a minute or two after the hug? If the photographer chimped and moved on, that special moment was missed.

The bottom line, AI is an incredible asset to understand, but don't rule out some very old-school approaches. From direct mail to pounding the pavement in your community, to relationship building and keeping in touch with your clients past, present, and future...the heart of your business is still YOU!

by Skip Cohen

It's "Hump Day," and I brought this topic back from the archives because, at this time of year, even though business is ramping up and in full swing through seasonality, it's a time when everyone starts to get a little reflective. We're closing out one year and heading into a new one, and it's a time when so many of us ponder our "why?"

We're looking at everything we do and often wondering if it's time for a change. Is it time to change direction, expand into other areas of expertise, and the BIG question, are we happy in what we're doing? It's an endless process, but a necessity to help avoid complacency and stimulate creativity.

But finding our "why" isn't exclusive to our careers. There's the importance of sharing our "why" with the people we're trying to attract. As photographers, your target audience needs to understand your "why?".  They don't care what awards you've won, what gear you have, or how your grandfather gave you your first camera. They want to know "why?" you love being a photographer and if you can be trusted to capture the kinds of images they want. 

Too many of you write your bios without considering your audience. When it's time to open your heart, you submerge yourself in meaningless factoids about your skills. If they're reading your bio, they're already interested in getting to know you better - don't bury them in your list of print competition awards, gear details, and the history of your business. Tell them why you love imaging. Share why your clients trust you to capture what's in their hearts.

It's the "why" that makes us all more interesting. It's the "why" that makes my story different from yours. It's the "why" that takes millions of stories from people worldwide and gives them color, emotion, and commitment.  

In terms of my "why," I simply love imaging and the business of helping more people understand its importance. Even in my volunteer work in support of the fight against Alzheimer's, imaging plays a special role with the interaction between patients dealing with the disease and the memories old photographs bring back.

Stop worrying about "what" you do and start sharing with people "why" you do it. The "what" comes from your left brain and is a series of cut-and-dry statements; the "why" comes from your right brain and is all about your personality, passion, and emotion. Plus, your "why" is unique, while your "what" is often the same as everybody else's.

Happy Hump Day!

​There is always light if only we're  brave enough to see it, if only we're brave enough to be it.
Author Unknown

by Skip Cohen

Lately, at least a few times a month, I've been writing about Alzheimer's. We all have causes we believe in, and the battle with Alzheimer's, having lost my mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother to the disease, is near and dear to me. 

Tomorrow is the annual Alzheimer's Walk here in Sarasota, and along with thousands of other supporters, Sheila and I will be there, along with the pups. And yesterday, on behalf of the Alzheimer's Association, I addressed the annual legislative delegates for Sarasota County regarding three related programs they're hoping to continue and expand in the community.

From my presentation yesterday:

Many of you have been touched by the realities of Alzheimer's and dementia. Over 580,000 Floridians are living with Alzheimer's disease, including an estimated  20,200 here in Sarasota County, which equates to over 12 percent of our 65 and over population.

Florida has proven to be a leader in dementia care and support. With our aging population, we must maintain this momentum. I am proud to advocate alongside the Alzheimer's Association. With your support, we remain optimistic as we propose our 2026 legislative priorities...

I went on to talk about a public awareness campaign, increased support for caregivers, and the Azheimer's Brain Bus which has traveled to all 67 counties in Florida each year.

While my short presentation was obviously Florida-centric, the number of people with Alzheimer's is global and continues to grow. "In the US, an estimated 7.2 million Americans aged 65 and older have Alzheimer's disease, a number projected to grow significantly by 2060. Alzheimer's is the leading cause of dementia, accounting for 60–80% of all cases, with prevalence increasing with age, especially after 65. The disease also poses a substantial global burden, affecting tens of millions of people and costing the economy trillions of dollars annually."  

Whatever nonprofit is your focus, remember that people like to purchase products from companies they perceive as giving back to the community. Combine the importance of building brand awareness for your business with programs that make your heart soar, and you've got the perfect combination to give back. You're looking for your community to be good to you...so you better make sure you're being good to your community.

In my case, I'm not a working photographer, and at this point in my career, I'm no longer very focused on building my brand. Our involvement is about trying to pay it forward and give back to a community that helped us so much, when my mother was in the heat of battle with Alzheimer's. Starting with the Senior Friendship Center's Caregiver Resource Center, so many people helped us keep our sanity and, in turn, helped my mother throughout her journey.

And if you're interested in participating in the Alzheimer's walks, there are over 600 nationwide. Just click on the banner below.

TGIF everybody - wishing everybody a terrific weekend with time to appreciate those people you love the most!

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"If you wait for all the lights to turn green, you'll never get started on your journey!"
​Zig Ziglar

by Skip Cohen

The quote above is one my most favorite. I lucked out in finding an illustration in Adobe stock of all green lights. However, the reality is that catching all lights when they're synced is rare. Now and then you have to stop, but that shouldn't change the direction of your journey or the destination.

As I sat down to write a blog post this morning, the quote above popped into my head.  I started thinking about my kick lately to remind readers that procrastination is NOT a marketing strategy.  Too many of us, me included, want everything to be perfect before we launch a new project. We want to do everything we can to guarantee success.

But sadly, when all the lights aren't green, we never start the journey. We make excuses, rationalize our way into justifying our inactivity. When the window of opportunity closes, we convince ourselves that we made the right decision...at least until regret starts to seep in.

Lucille Ball is quoted as saying, "I'd rather regret the things I've done than regret the things I haven't done."

And there's my point: it's not a perfect world, but we all have choices as long as we stay focused on our goals. Some of those choices involve compromise —not necessarily on your dreams, but on the path you choose to get there. 

We're living in bizarre times, absent of very many true leaders. That means there are opportunities for you, as artists and small business owners, to demonstrate leadership, accountability, integrity, and even compromise where appropriate. Don't let the insanity of the times get in the way of continuing to pursue your dreams.

Yes, I know it's easy to write about, and everybody's challenges are different. But that doesn't change the fact that EVERYONE can help change the world, at least in your own community. Capturing memories never goes out of style, and the opportunities for photographers to help tell their subjects' stories should be at the very top of your "to-do" list.

Wishing everybody a terrific weekend ahead!

by Skip Cohen

It's Hump Day and the perfect time to do a quick check on your goals for the rest of the week...and into next week. So many of you spend too much time over-thinking things you need to do to build brand awareness. You're waiting for everything to be perfect, which never happens!
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We're into the seasonality of the year that most photographers have been waiting for. But if you drag your feet, when your ship comes in, you'll be stuck at the airport! (Okay, it's a little stretch as an analogy, but there's no reason to miss so many opportunities for business in the weeks ahead!)

When you've got something you know you should be working on, it becomes the "monkey on your back." You carry the task around until it's completed, and nothing drains more energy than the stress of getting nothing accomplished. 

I keep sharing much of the same list, but now is the time to:

• Is there new gear you need that buying in 2025 would qualify for a tax break?
• Is the design for your holiday cards done, and are they in the pipeline for printing and mailing in time?
• How's your list of people you want to give an extra special thanks to this year?
• Are there any fundraisers in your community you'd like to be involved in over the holidays?
• Are you writing a personal letter to your clients thanking them for their support while also paving the way for new things you have coming in 2026?
• Got your reservations for PPA, WPPI, or both?
• How about partners for a first-quarter 2026 direct mail piece? Who are they, and have they been contacted?
• Are there specific courses you need to expand your skill set?

The list goes on and on, but my point is: it's Hump Day... and to get over the hump and pave the way for the holiday season, you need to build enough momentum to beat the hands of the clock and the calendar!
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Stop procrastinating...and if you're stuck and need a little help, you know where to find me!

Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. 
If you love what you are doing you will be successful.
Albert Schweitzer

by Skip Cohen

​I'm trying to get in the habit of keeping Hump Day posts short and to the point. When I read the quote above, it hit me how many people I've met who are missing the most essential ingredient in their careers: happiness.

Everyone measures success differently, but the common denominators seem to always include fame and fortune. But if you're not happy, then neither matter. As I got older, focusing on success wasn't as important as just being happy. And being happy is EVERYTHING.

Lou Mitchell, along with the quote above, wrote, Are you pursuing what you love, or are you chasing external markers of success? How can you incorporate more joy and passion into your daily life?

If you're not waking up in the morning energized for whatever's on your schedule for the day, it's time to step back and figure out what's missing. Don't forget that you don't have to figure it out alone - this is where a spouse or a good friend can play a key role in helping you with whatever pieces you're missing in finding happiness in whatever career path you've shown.

Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.
Confucius

by Skip Cohen

​I've written a lot over the years about giving back to your community. You're looking for your community to be good to you, so you've got to be good to them! But there's also a necessary balance: supporting nonprofits and, at the same time, finding a cause that's near and dear to your heart. 

My mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother all died of Alzheimer's. When Sheila and I moved to Florida in 2011, it was to help my Dad with my Mom, who had been diagnosed with the disease. An estimated 7.2 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease as of 2025. This represents about 11% of the population aged 65 and older. The number is expected to increase to 13.8 million by 2060. From the Alzheimer's Association.

Supporting the fight for a cure for Alzheimer's has become my most focused way to give back. Next week, the Florida Alzheimer's group will be publishing my sixth installment of the You're Not Alone Chronicles. In addition, I'm helping to manage the Memory Care Alliance, and I'll be one of several speakers next month addressing the county legislature reviewing health care. 

I'm not sharing what I'm doing to suggest I've found the most noble cause to support, only to remind you that there are so many levels of involvement for each of you to choose from. Whatever the cause most tugging at your heartstrings, it's so important to find ways to give back. While financial donations are always supportive, every nonprofit thrives on the energy people bring to their activities.

Here's my point: there's a greater need for support for your community than ever before. None of us knows what to expect in the future, especially when it comes to health care. And the chaos in the government only makes it more important for each of us to be more involved with local needs.

“It’s easy to make a buck.  It’s a lot tougher to make a difference. ” 
Tom Brokaw

by Skip Cohen

​It's my favorite day of the week, Throwback Thursday. This morning, as I searched for images I hadn't shared before, I ran across a post from nine years ago. The message makes even more sense today!

We're living in a that's-good-enough world! Many products are manufactured with planned obsolescence, and they often have a shorter lifespan than what we're accustomed to. For example, in our own kitchen, since moving into this house nine years ago, appliances that used to last a lifetime have been replaced several times. And consider the Ford Mustang - you can't buy one right now because of three different recalls on the 2025 models that won't be resolved until 2026. Ford's slogan of "Quality is job one!" doesn't apply to very many products these days, including their own vehicles.

My good buddy Scott Bourne said once, "Shoot as if this is the last photograph of yours anybody will ever see!"

Here's the question of the day...What are people going to be saying about your photography years from now? How will your work be perceived?

Even though I've shared them before, I thought it would be fun to share a few classics of both my folks. Both of the older photographs were hand-colored and captured eighty to ninety years ago. The two more contemporary images were captured by Bambi Cantrell around 2008.   

But one of my favorite images out of the session she did with my folks is this one on the right. It was captured before Alzheimer's took control. We had no idea what the next few years would bring, but the love my folks had for each other is clearly what Bambi focused on.

Here's the bottom line - you owe your subjects the very best you can be. Never compromise on the quality of your work. The photographers we respect the most are the ones who capture the intangible spirit of the subject in addition to outstanding technical skills in exposure, composition and lighting.

Over the years, Beverly and Tim Walden have talked a lot about the value of a portrait. They're not creating a photograph, but a family heirloom to be handed down for generations to come. And the portrait session needs to be an experience, not just a few clicks of the shutter! Their advice to new photographers deserves repeating: 

Our advice to new photographers? Do less and do it exceptionally well! Narrow your focus to gain appeal.
All great artists are known for a style, a look that is their own. As you begin in this wonderful profession, be original, do what your heart loves, do it well and work towards mastering it.

So, what's the answer to the question of the day? Are you creating images that, years from now, your clients will look back on and smile, remembering the day you took their portrait? And will future generations look at your work and cherish the photographs, like I do of the portraits of my folks?

Procrastination is the art of keeping up with yesterday.
Don Marquis

by Skip Cohen

I like to keep it relatively short on Fridays, and the quote above was today's reading from Lou Mitchell's book, Mastering Positive Thinking...One Day at a Time.

It's particularly fitting this time of year, as many of you are still in a mañana mode with your key marketing ideas for this year's seasonality, which is just around the corner. But you'll continue to procrastinate and let things slide right up until there's virtually no time left for impact.

Lou Mitchell went on to write: ...When we delay action, we find ourselves perpetually stuck in the past, trying to complete tasks that have already become overdue...Think about a task or project you've been putting off. What has prevented you from starting it, and how is it impacting your progress? 

There's really nothing I can add to his point. You don't have to take giant steps to beat procrastination. Taking baby steps in the right direction is all the progress you need to slowly break the habit and get on track for great impact.

Happy Friday!

You can't just sit there and wait for people to give you that golden dream.
You've got to get out there and make it happen for yourself.
Diana Ross

by Skip Cohen

Whether you're having a good time or not, there are few statements more true than "time flies when you're having a good time!" And as you get older, time seems to fly by even faster. Here's my point in today's post: in 3 1/2 months, 2025 will come to a close. Which means you only have 16 weeks (112 days) to wrap up the year!

Too many of you operate your business on a foundation of "I'll do it mañana!"  So, knowing that, I've put together a basic check-off list to consider for your business:

1. Gear: Are there specific pieces of gear you need to raise the bar on the quality of your images, or to run your business? From camera gear to lighting, printers, computers, and other essential equipment, start making your list now. It's been a strange year at retail, and having time to shop a little will definitely prove beneficial.
2. Promotions: If you're doing any special promotions for this holiday season, is everything set to go? And if you're not doing anything special, at the very least call your lab and just ask, "What's new?" You might be surprised at the creativity out there in new products.
3. Direct mail: If you're doing a snail mail piece before the end of the year, solo or with partnership companies, now is the time to put last-minute touches on the presentation.
4. Email blasts: It's the same urgency as above, but email has a different level of complexity - getting people to open your message. That makes the subject line critical, as does the first paragraph. Again, now is the time to fine-tune what you're going to be sending out.
5. Holiday Gift List: Who are the people who have helped you the most this year? Start putting your list together and consider all the different ways to recognize the support of everyone who watches your back!
6. Holiday Cards: Whether it's your personal card or a product/service you offer a client, it's time to put together your ideas.
7. Conventions, Trade Shows, and Seminars: Whether live or online, start your planning. From registration costs to booking travel, just like the camera and office equipment, there might be some terrific benefits to spending the money now and taking the deductions on your taxes for 2025. Talk to your accountant too, especially on any big purchases.

It's just seven items to check, and if you feel I've missed some, let me know in the comments section, and we'll expand the list.

Just remember, everybody is working against the same clock. Procrastination is NOT a marketing strategy. You snooze, you lose!
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And if you're stuck for ideas, you know where to find me!

by Skip Cohen

​Today's post is miles away from being directly tied to photography, but it's about inspiration and breast cancer. The short backstory is that it was a post on Facebook by Chrisi Adamson. She's a member of the Memory Care Alliance who I first met almost a year ago. It's also a post that I wish I could make mandatory for everyone to read!

The post is about her fight with breast cancer. It's so inspirational that I'm running it like a public service message. I'm not sharing the video here, but the screenshot of Chrisi ringing the bell is enough to appreciate the message behind it.

And a BIG thanks to Chrisi for allowing me to share her story.

by Chrisi Adamson

I have held this video moment close to my heart for about three weeks. I am going to share because if this helps one lovely woman out there to go get a mammogram it was worth any discomfort that comes from sharing deeply personal things. It is also the closest way to attempt to thank everyone.

After a double mastectomy on 5/24/24, we found out I had IDC Triple Positive Breast Cancer; the tumor was found after surgery. 6/27/24 I started chemo and immunotherapy. There have been 30 infusions, so many trips to Moffitt, surgeries (with more to come), countless labs, a port, daily shots, bone pain, low white blood cell counts, scars (some you can see, some are just for me to carry), infection scares, poor blood supply to skin, hair loss, neuropathy, weight loss, weight gain, joint pain, menopause, depression, anxiety, deep fatigue, brain fog, and so much more.

Growing up my Gram would always say: “God never gives you more than you can handle.” Well, God and I have had many a chat. I have questioned if he has overestimated my strength but in the end I know Fanny Mae was right. It is not pretty but you keep moving. The only way out is through.
If I have learned anything through this, it is that extremes exist side by side.
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• Where there was fear, anger and sadness, there was also such a deep love from family and friends. Love that moves mountains.
• Where there was pain and tears, I also found laughter. If you don’t laugh, you will cry. Ryan Adamson will forever have my heart for the love and laughter he used to get us through this. Love is real when you almost pee your pants while getting chemo!!
• Where there was isolation, I found that people from all walks of my life were there keeping me surrounded with love and strength. (And flowers, sweet treats, delivered meals, meal trains, blankets, books, PJs, clean products, tv suggestions, fun for the kids, gift cards, laundry services(!!)…the list could go on for days). When depression and anxiety tried to make me feel alone, I never lacked for someone to lean on.
• Where there was total chaos, my family found friends that are forever family now and family that never stopped showing up. They loved our children when we weren’t there to. They went to baseball tournaments, stocked the kitchen, took them to Sea World, had weekday sleepovers, did school pick ups, got them to school, studied for tests but most importantly their love and time let our kids be care free and unworried about cancer, scan results, levels, and recurrence rates.

If I listed 100 people, I would surely leave out 500 more. Every card, every text, every act got me and my family to where we are today. You are all so special.

Woah- see why I have never posted much?! It’s a lot. I am overwhelmed with gratitude and love. Words will never do it justice. Also, my kids and husband are the bravest and strongest people I know.

On 7/17/25 I finished my active treatment! This video happened BECAUSE I went for my annual screenings. I felt nothing (couldn’t have), there was no pain, EVEN the screens missed the tumor found after surgery (I went in due too malignant microcalcifications). I thank God everyday for Moffitt, for screenings, for modern medicine and the research in treatment that makes my outcome so beautiful and real.

Get screened annually. It works, it matters, it’s worth it.

And for goodness sake if you ever need to talk, get facts, scream, or help a friend- reach out to me. I didn’t go through this alone and I am here to help so no one ever has to.

By adding a side quest to your day, you create space for curiosity, exploration, and playfulness
and could discover something amazing and totally unexpected along the way.
Ali Abdaal

by Skip Cohen

The quote above is another gem from Lou Mitchell for today's "365 Daily Handpicked Reflections." It's the perfect thought for the day before the weekend. He went on to write:

In our busy lives, it's easy to get caught up in the routine and focus solely on our main objectives. However, adding a 'side quest' — a small, enjoyable activity outside of our regular tasks — can spark curiosity and lead to unexpected discoveries. These side quests can revitalize our minds and bring fresh perspectives, often unveiling hidden talents or passions.

But I want to take his thoughts a step further into our world of photography.

Tony Corbell, back in the film days, used to suggest to every photographer to save the last couple of frames of every roll of film and do something completely different from the way you usually shoot. His point was to make it a habit to think outside the box, or better yet, think like there was no box. And as Don Blair used to say, "Once you know all the rules, you can break them!" 

From exposure, to composition, to lighting in the studio, even posing - mix it up.

The same applies to your specialty. For example, most of you shy away from macro photography, but there's a whole world out there that most of us miss, simply because we never look close enough. Don Komarechka is one of the most recognized macro artists in the world, and he's built a career out of photographing things we never see, yet they're around us all the time.

So, to the point of this post...Take the time today or over the weekend and come up with your own side quest adventure into some aspect of life you've never visited. Growth only occurs outside your comfort zone, and there's no telling where your new quest might take you.

Happy Friday! Have a great weekend!

And when it comes to mixing things up a little...
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Don't let old "maps" limit your journey!
Unknown Author

I'd rather regret the things I've done than regret the things I haven't done.
Lucille Ball

by Skip Cohen

​I saw this piece posted on my FB notifications a few weeks ago. It hit me hard then, and I've since read it several times. For the most part, I've stayed out of the social media battles over the current state of America. I've stayed away from all the bullshit...even held back on commenting on all the fake news that people from both sides jump on. 

When I read this piece by Elayne Griffin Baker, written in 2020, I couldn't get it out of my mind. It's not just about the lack of joy but also about pride. I've watched friends withdraw; friends leave the country and done my best to search out the truth in the news, a virtually impossible task. 

The poem says it all...no need for me to comment further...and if it results in some of my readers no longer following me, our "friendship" would have disappeared sooner or later anyway.

There's no art in this White House.

There's no literature, no poetry, no music.

There are no pets in this White House, no loyal man's best friend, no Socks the family cat, no kids science fairs.

No time when the president takes off his blue suit red tie uniform and becomes human, except when he puts on his white shirt-khaki pants uniform and hides from Americans to play golf.

There are no images of the First Family enjoying themselves together in a moment of relaxation.
No Obamas on the beach in Hawaii moments, or Bushes fishing in Kennebunkport.
No Reagans on horseback, no Kennedy's playing touch football on the Cape.

Where'd that country go?

Where did all the fun, the joy and the expression of love and happiness go?

We used to be a country that did the Ice Bucket Challenge and raised millions for charity.

​We used to have a President that calmed and soothed the nation instead of dividing it, and a First Lady who planted a garden instead of ripping one out.

We are rudderless and joyless.

We have lost the cultural aspect of society that make America great.

We have lost our mojo, our fun, our happiness, our cheering on of others.

The shared experience of humanity that makes it all worth it.

The challenges and the triumps that we shared and celebrated.

The unique can-do spirit that America has always been known for.

We are lost.

We have lost so much in so short a time.

-Elayne Griffin Baker-​

My apologies to the author of this footnote below. It was on the FB notifications page with the poem above. If someone knows the author I'll update this post.

Across the world, we are watching the rise of strongmen who sneer at laughter unless it's aimed downward. Who confuse control with leadership. Who rip up gardens instead of planting seeds. And people feel it. Even if they can't name it, they know something is missing. The absence of joy is not visible. It's a heaviness that settles over everything. It's the dull ache of a country that no longer pauses to cheer for each other, to laugh, to mourn, to dream.

Without joy, what are we even fighting for? What are we building? Power alone is not a vision. Authority without empathy is not greatness. A nation without joy is not leading the world, it's warning it. So let's stop pretending this is just about policy.  The mood of a leader shapes the mood of a country. And when that tone is mean, vindictive, hollow, and cold, it spreads. It settles into the bones of a nation. People are not machines. We are not here only to consume, to obey, to win. We are here to live. To feel. To connect. And to make something beautiful together, even if just for a moment.

There's nothing more I can add...except that it's going to take each and everyone of us to get America back.

by Skip Cohen

​I don't usually quote lyrics from country songs, but I just heard "Backup Plan" by Bailey Zimmerman and Luke Combs, and the lyrics to the chorus are perfect words to live by!

It's Friday, and this is a short post. Everyone, at some point, hits a wall when something they were working on or hoping for just doesn't happen. But here's the point - listen to your heart first. Next, stop listening to people who don't share your vision. It's hard enough to be in business today without feeling like you're swimming upstream because the doubters in your life seem to think they have the right to redirect your energy!

Wishing everyone a weekend with time to relax, dream, and make a little progress on whatever vision you have for your future.

Worrying does not take away tomorrow's troubles. It takes away today's peace.
There is no greater wealth in this world than peace of mind.
Randy Armstrong

by Skip Cohen

​I started this series after reading a few great quotes I hadn't heard before. That led to wanting to share them, especially when they seemed relevant to many of today's challenges.
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It's a short post going into what's about to become a pivotal weekend in America, June 14. With protests all over the country and an estimated 46 million dollars being spent on celebrating the army and Donald Trump's birthday, there's a lot I just don't understand.  Understanding is only half the challenge - because what we read or what's reported in the news can't be trusted.
 
Sheila and I have chosen to simply keep focused on our life together and what we can support or change. We're doing our best not to let the fear of the future interrupt our peace.  I heard a comment back in January from an unhappy photographer, "I'm just going to live in a snow globe for the next four years."  Well, our snow globe is our local community. 

I miss the America I've known most of my life. I miss respecting our government because it was made up of people smarter than us. Well, the true experts have been fired, and the country is being run by a group that has forgotten about being for the people. In fact, for our own businesses, most of us wouldn't hire the majority of the people we see in the news these days.

I'm trying hard not to make this into a political statement, and it's impossible. So, I'll wrap it up with another great quote.

We spend countless hours reading, listening to, and watching other people's opinions
about what we should do, how we should think, and how we should live,
but make comparatively little effort applying that knowledge and making it our own.
Tiago Forte