When you love what you have, you have everything you need. Anon ![]() by Skip Cohen This morning, when I sat down to write Reflections, I had absolutely nothing on my mind. It was just a typical morning - wake up, do my morning routine, let the pups out, and then start the day. It's the same routine, almost every day, and I've grown to love it...it's about being content. That's when it hit me - the key to happiness isn't singular and covers a wide range of life's moments. Those moments in life that have contributed to the smile on my face range from Sheila to the pups to family in the area and a few good friends. All along the way, there are these little speed bumps related to health and aging—trolls that come and go in our lives—but it's all manageable. So here's my point: Everyone is looking for the "key to happiness," often as if it was treasure left by a pirate years ago. Well, the analogy works for a little bit—sometimes happiness is buried underneath the stress we let into our lives. And those pirates are the negative situations and people who create the stress. They say that wisdom comes with age, but it's really about finally learning, listening, and appreciating. Finding happiness or, better yet, relaxing enough for happiness to find me has been all about acceptance. It's about letting go of the past, appreciating today, and not worrying about the future. The reality is that life is simply too short, and time really does fly when you're having a good time! Somebody posted the illustration on the right on Facebook a few weeks ago. My apologies - I've got no idea who it was or who gets the credit - but it hit me hard. It really is a "short trip" and deserves to be savored every day. While there is no specific key to happiness, the ingredients are all around us, but we don't always look hard enough! Wishing everybody a day ahead that's filled with smiles and time with the people you love the most. Always go for those eleven-second hugs I write about. Finding happiness isn't something you search for, but if you just kick back and listen to everything around you, it'll find you! Happy Sunday...or Monday if you're on the other side of the world. It’s not about being happy all the time, or being sure of all your choices.
It’s about knowing that life is precious, even when it’s tough. Topher Kearby
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![]() by Skip Cohen As I sat down to write Reflections this morning, I had no idea what I wanted to share. I started by pondering what was happening in the world; overwhelmed, I switched gears and decided to focus on what was happening in my head. My first thought was the excitement of heading to Detroit for ClickCon two weeks from today. For over thirty years of speaking at conferences and workshops, I've always recommended that people attend as many events as possible. Why? Even the smallest workshop is about recharging your battery. It's about expanding your skill set, exchanging ideas, being inspired, and, oh yeah, having FUN! "Fun" is one of those words too often lost under the stress of running a business. We simply forget to have fun, and it's usually not until it's too late that we realize it's the missing ingredient. A great conference as a photographer is about reinforcing why you went down the imaging path in the first place. For me personally, my keynote on July 29 is especially exciting—it's going to be one of my last presentations. I want it to be the best I can make it and packed with ideas to help attendees get closer to the success they imagined when they started their journey. I'm not ready to fully retire, but it is time to slow down and smell the roses. I don't want to turn today's post into one about aging. While I creak for ten minutes when I get out of bed in the morning, according to Sheila, I'm no more mature. And when we look at the two of us, we seem younger than most people our age. We're certainly younger than our parents were when they were our age! Here's my point - it's the presence of anticipation that keeps us young. It's the energy I feel as I put together my program. It's the pure joy of thinking about catching up with old friends, making new ones, and being in an environment of passionate people. Many years ago, I wrote, "You can't create images that tug at people's hearts if your own heart isn't in it." Well, it's not just about capturing photographs, but in everything we do. I am the quintessential example of a guy with an excess of Peter Pan genes - you know, the ones that, throughout our lives, keep screaming, "Don't grow up." Fifty-four years ago, I stumbled into this industry at Polaroid, and it's been a kick, every day since. Wishing you a day filled with anticipation for whatever you see on the horizon. Take the time for an occasional look in your rearview mirror - it's one of the best ways to appreciate how far you've come. Looking forward is how you draw from the power of anticipation, especially when the word "fun" is in the mix. Always go for those eleven-second therapeutic hugs I've written about for the last ten years, and whoever your "huggee" is, think about how much richer your life is because of them! Happy Sunday...or Monday on the other side of the world. PS I hope to see many of you in Detroit - what a kick this conference will be. by Skip Cohen It's Reflections, and I always try and get a little more personal on Sunday mornings. This morning, I knew exactly what I wanted to write about; I've been working on my opening keynote presentation for ClickCon at the end of this month. While I've done hundreds of presentations in my career, this one is special because it's one of the last programs I plan on doing. If you've followed me for even the shortest time, then you know I consider myself one of the luckiest guys in imaging. I've had a career filled with working with amazing people, experiences, and a never-ending flow of ah-ha moments. At a time when most people my age have retired, I'm not ready to hang up my guns, but it is time to slow down. I came up with a terrific theme for my program. I want to play off of key things I've learned in my fifty-four-year journey in photography. As I've put the program together, each lesson has had somebody initially responsible for the concept. Take a second and think about the roots of things you do today. Everything you do has roots in some past experience. An event or somebody came into your life and left their mark. From a teacher to an associate to a family member, client, friend, or even adversary, they've all played a role. One of my favorite quotes over the years is from Alfred Lord Tennyson: I am a part of all that I have met. And here's my point and the fun of this presentation—each of us is a composite of our experiences. In photography, for example, all those experiences and people are responsible for the passion we have today. Everyone's passion is unique in its direction, with the common denominator being our love for the craft.
Here's something to think about this morning...Where and when did your love for imaging start? Who supported your vision and your dream? Even better, who didn't offer support, indirectly pushing you harder to succeed? On July 29, I'm going to have fun sharing the lessons I've learned over the years and channeling them into ideas to help artists build a stronger business model and contribute to making 2024, hopefully, an incredible year. While I'm the one presenting, it will be thanks to so many people who have set the standard for creativity in business, marketing, and even technology. I am definitely a part of all that I have met! Wishing you a day ahead filled with the people most important in your life along with more ah-ha moments. Dont' forget those eleven-second therapeutic hugs I always write about. Make it a day jam-packed with everything that makes your heart soar. PS Hope to see you at ClickCon in Detroit! by Skip Cohen It's Sunday, and I got up knowing exactly what I wanted to share this morning. As always, I'm miles away from business and marketing. Yesterday was our wedding anniversary, and I wrote a short post on FB. I rarely put anything personal on my FB page, but between Sheila, the pups, and our life, I wanted to share the joy. This is all I posted: Sometimes, the real wonder and beauty in life are in the simplicity of it all. Here's what got me thinking about the topic. For our anniversary, we decided to go to one of our favorite restaurants, Sardinia, here in Sarasota. We decided to enjoy a slug day floating in the pool and then an early dinner. At some point on Friday, we both had the same idea—let's just say home, chill for the day, and make a pizza on the grill—never getting out of bathing suits, sharing our thoughts, and savoring the day. We made a special pizza with fresh pesto that Sheila made the night before. So, it was a pesto pizza with diced fresh tomatoes—cooked on the grill and eaten while watching one of the early Jack Reacher movies. Here's my point—the beauty of the day was in its simplicity making it perfect. We love Sardinia, but the restaurant couldn't match the fun and pure joy of just hanging out together. We're pretty much together 24/7, but there are always things to do, appointments, etc. This was a day with nothing scheduled and jam-packed with conversation resulting from multiple trips down Memory Lane. Sheila and I have been active in each other's lives for seventeen years. "We've packed in a lot of great memories over such a short time," she said while floating in the pool. And as time seems to fly by at warp speed, the appreciation for all the laughs and tears gets more and more intense. I found another quote that sums it all up: "The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.” Hans Hofmann So many of us waste so much time making things more complicated than they need to be. The "necessary" of yesterday was all about savoring time and our appreciation for life and each other. Going out to dinner would have only cramped our style and limited the fun of a memory-making anniversary focused on our time together. Our favorite memories have been built on a foundation of simplicity.
Wishing all of you a day ahead that runs on simplicity. Put the complications of life on the back-burner. So often, we make life more complicated than it has to be. We forget that the people we love the most also appreciate simplicity. They want to cherish time together, just like we do. And those eleven-second therapeutic hugs are even better with the people you love the most. Happy Sunday...or Monday if you're on the other side of the world. by Skip Cohen When I start writing on Sunday mornings, I always feel compelled to warn you - I'm way off the topic of business and marketing. And today, Father's Day brings out a lot of personal stuff - many of which the "experts" say is inappropriate to share on social media. Oops! LOL I want to kick off today with a BIG Happy Father's Day to all you dads out there. According to Google, there are an estimated seventy-two million Dads across the US. I wish you all a day with smiles and moments when your heart screams louder than your kids when they were little. And to you new Dads out there, cherish every minute because you wake up one day and they're grown - You don't want to feel like the lyrics in a Harry Chapin song. Next comes looking back on my own life as a Dad. When I was twelve and asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I'd always answer the same way: "A DAD!" Well, my wish came true, and although I'm estranged from my kids today, nothing changes the smile that comes from the memories of watching them grow up. And to my own Dad, who passed away almost nine years ago, there isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about you. Poor Sheila's heard every story and still laughs over the best ones. They're all classics, each one representing your love for your family, your humor and your ability to laugh until you cried! I sure miss you Pop. It's a perfect day to share a guest post Dad wrote for me in 2010. Just Keep Your Eye On the Left Front Fender by Skip's Dad![]() by Ralph Cohen Yesterday was my 88th birthday. I have been happily retired for many years, and unemployed for at least 15 of those. Now, out of the blue, comes our son, Skip, threatening me with employment! The pay he considers adequate is $.02 per word. So gathering together, my 50+ years in business experience, I thought this would be a good time to put my two cents in. I am not a plagiarist, but I must quote my father who spent the last months of his life writing advice to his children: “Conduct your business in an upright manner and remember, the most important thing in one’s life is to be honest with one’s self. Maintain the high standard and dignity that your business requires. Do not go into deals hastily and be visible in your business as much of the time as is possible. If you take time to play, do it away from your business, because your livelihood needs all the attention you can give to it.” Early on, I concluded that the best testimonials came from my many friendly competitors. We didn’t really compete with each other, in the true sense. True, we were in the same field of endeavor, but we all knew we were there to help each other. Happily, the “tough competition” fell by the wayside. I remember giving Skip driving lessons and I told him, “Watch the left front fender…..the rest will take care of itself!” I’ve found this is really true of everything in life. An old axiom says “If you tell the truth, you never have to remember what you said.” That is all part of reputation-building. I found that, sadly, in the field of real estate, truth is hard to come by for many. In our case, it was a major building block in the reputation which we enjoyed, and helped us to thwart the competition. Goodwill is all of the above, plus a lot of caring for your clients as well as your competitors. If life is a give-and-take situation, giving is the more important of the two. The taking will come with time and be far more appreciative. Just remember - you heard it here! Ralph Cohen, Founder and Creator of Skip Cohen Wishing everybody a terrific Sunday and Father's Day. I hope you get the time to create a few new memories to cherish and savor in the future. Go for those eleven-second hugs with your family and if get time to kick back and just chill - take a look in your rearview mirror and notice how your kids seemed to have grown up overnight!
Happy Sunday...or Monday if you're on the other side of the world. ![]() by Skip Cohen I rarely know what I want to share in advance when writing Sunday Morning Reflections, but today is very different. Yesterday, Sheila and I attended an event that was new to us, and raised our awareness for an incredible fundraiser. The event was Hockey Heals 22. Every day, 22 veterans commit suicide. Joining the hosting team, the Lighting Warriors together with other hockey teams from the Tampa Bay area are playing 22 hours of continuous hockey, still going on this morning. They're raising awareness and funding to help our nation's veterans fight the invisible war of mental health that combats our country's heroes. The program kicked off with a few short presentations, but the most moving was the introduction of a dozen Gold Star families who have lost a son or daughter to veteran suicide. As each family of a fallen warrior was introduced and came out on the red carpet, I found myself thinking about their sadness. Their pain is unimaginable. I couldn't help but recognize their bravery and dedication to help fight veteran suicide. We were drawn into the emotion of the event as adult hockey players of all ages hit the ice - all of them sharing the quest to raise funding and awareness. Think about it - 22 veterans a day are committing suicide, up from 17.5 per day just three years ago. And veterans have a 57% higher risk of suicide than those who haven't served. They fought for our freedom but lost the battle in the fight for their own mental health! That's over 8,000 soldiers every year who we missed the opportunity to help.
I wanted to share one more sidebar slice of pride. As I've written before, our son is in the military, and today, he is a "full-bird colonel." His presentation was part of the opening ceremony, and while the acoustics in the arena made it tough to hear him, nothing changed the impact of seeing him in action in this community. Here's my point this Sunday morning: We all have our favorite charities and fundraisers we do our best to support. But now and then, a group of people come along to raise our awareness for another important need that's outside the mainstream of big-name fundraising spotlights. Sheila and I couldn't have been more proud to be in the stands at yesterday's Hockey Heals 22 kickoff! Wishing all of you a day ahead filled with love, peace, and appreciation for your family and the people closest to you. There's so much we take for granted, especially our freedom. Every year, usually on Veterans Day, I write something about family and friends who have served in the military. But the truth is, Veterans Day should be all year long! Click here or on any image in today's post to link to the event fund-raiser page and learn how you can help. Happy Sunday...or Monday on the other side of the world. ![]() by Skip Cohen Sunday Morning Reflections are rarely about business. It's my time to jump the tracks and share whatever is on my mind. Nothing heavy this morning, just a fun topic to write about...being a "foodie!" A week and a half ago, I wrote about a good friend's new cookbook on Amazon: Sea of Thieves - The Cookbook by Kayce Baker. We decided on her recipe for Shadow Stormfish (swordfish) for dinner tonight. Sheila and I are diehard foodies, and I picked up all the ingredients yesterday. So first thing this morning, before sitting down to write today's post, I was in the kitchen. I wanted to give the swordfish at least six hours to marinade. While I encourage you to check out Kayce's book, that's not really the focus of today's post. Sheila and I love food, and we also enjoy cooking and time with good friends. Put them all together, and we have a long history filled with laughter and meals that made our tastebuds dance! I won't always remember somebody's name when I see them after a long absence, but I can tell you what we had for dinner and where, regardless of how long ago it might have been. From fast food like Arby's Meat Mountain to incredible sushi in NYC to six-pound lobsters in New Jersey - you name a friend, and I'll tell you what we last ate! And it doesn't matter what meal—breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Yesterday, I was talking with my good buddy Tony Corbell, who had just come back from Yellowstone. The first thing I asked about the trip was whether or not there was a chicken fried steak with sausage gravy on the journey. Not only was there, but Tony told me he made it to an old favorite place all of us had in West Yellowstone! Here's my point: While it's the friendships I cherish the most, food seems to be the mortar that holds all the bricks together! It's the experiences we've all shared over breaking bread that seem to be the foundation for so many memories. It doesn't matter if it's just a couple of us having a meal together or a dozen of us setting records for how much sushi was consumed in one evening—it's all about the memories! It's certainly not a heavy concept this morning - more like one of SNL's Jack Handy's Deep Thoughts. But that doesn't change the fun of a walk down Memory Lane through any of life's food courts! Wishing you a day ahead with memory-making moments that bring together love, laughter, smiles, and your taste buds. It's summertime, and I'll be at the grill with Kayce's Shadow Stormfish recipe later - and I know the stories of our adventures together will be flowing just as much as whatever grog Sheila and I decide goes best with Stormfish! Go for those therapeutic eleven-second hugs I always write about with those people most special in your life. Happy Sunday...or Monday on the other side of the world. by Skip Cohen It's Sunday, and as usual, I rarely write about business. I almost always head in a direction that's more personal. On my last day before what people think of as a milestone birthday, I'm feeling outrageously reflective. Tomorrow makes me officially an "old fart" as I hit seventy-five. I'm struggling a little because, with the exception of creaking for ten minutes when I get up in the morning, I don't feel any different. And according to Sheila, I'm no more mature...LOL. So, I'm sitting here in the midst of a retrospective. Google defines retrospective as: Retrospective means looking back. An art exhibit that cover an artist's entire career is called a retrospective because it looks back at the work the artist has produced over many years. Retro- means back, -spect- means look (think: spectacles), so the word means literally 'a looking back. Photography has existed as some part of me for my entire life, and today's post is about how it got started and one aspect that's never slowed down - capturing memories. My love for photography started with my Dad, who had a small contact printer he had brought home from WWII - just a box with a light bulb, but we'd process prints in the laundry room. Later, he became the Slide King, as every special moment was captured on 35mm slides, later presented in an endless stream of presentations, always including jammed slides. But that's when the fire was lit, and it was enough to get me interested in joining the "Photo Service Club" in high school. That's me, bottom left, back in the days when ears seemed to be a qualifier to being a nerd! The fire that Dad lit a few years later resulted in an entire wall of my room covered in memories. Everything that happened through high school was captured in black and white, printed in the school darkroom, and later tacked to my wall. Because I was never patient enough to follow procedure, I had the biggest collection of under-fixed yellowing prints on the planet. But that never changed the value of the memories. As I look both back, as well as forward to what's yet to come, it's all about stopping time. While I have complete respect and admiration for those of you with the skill set technically - for me, it's about capturing the memory with each click of the shutter - not always the quality of the finished photograph. This is what I like about photographs. They're proof that once, even if just for a heartbeat, everything was perfect. Author Jodi Picoult's quote became my mantra. Again and again, I've succeeded in stopping time and capturing a memory to be stored for savoring in the future. I've used her quote so many times that I've even tried to get her as a guest on a podcast. It's the best quote about photography that I've ever read.
So, here's my point: never slow down your passion for creating and capturing memories. Those photographs from today will become a staple in your future. And no matter how things change in your life, photography helps to keep your memories vivid. Wishing everybody a memory-making day ahead and if you're in the US, a wonderful Memorial Day weekend. Take the time to click the shutter a few times; it doesn't matter if it's on your phone or with a "real" camera. Your skill set is critical for your clients, but it's about being the best photojournalist you can be for yourself and your family. Technology has given us all an incredible gift - whether shooting still images or video, no memory-making moment should escape! Happy Sunday...or Monday if you're on the other side of the world. by Skip Cohen It's Sunday morning, and Reflections always takes me miles away from topics like business and marketing. Today, my thoughts regarding what to write about are all over the place...but maybe that's a topic in itself - the challenge of trying to focus. There are moments when there's so much going on around me, I can't focus. Unlike our cameras and phones, I've got no focus confirmation. I'm wandering through my thoughts, filled with appreciation for my life and everything that got me to today. Yet feeling frustrated trying to write a blog post that makes a point. When you dance, your purpose is not to get to some place on the dance floor. It's to enjoy each step along the way. Wayne Dyer A few years back I bought a book called, Age only Matters if you're a Cheese! It's about looking at the positive side of aging. Well, it's thanks to aging that I have this amazing collection of events, people, and places that follow Wayne Dyer's reference to "each step along the way." Being unable to focus on a blog post is an asset, not a liability.
So many of us regularly forget all the things in our lives that make us who we are. We over-focus on the negatives, and in the process, we miss all the good things along the way. The stress of dealing with challenges becomes our predominant point of concentration. Remember, I'm a work in progress, and I haven't always mastered looking at life as a glass half-full rather than on the way to being empty. What I have mastered is an appreciation for everyone who's helped me stay on point...it's Sheila, family and friends we're close to, and two goofy pups, Lucy and Belle. Put all of them together, and it's an award-winning support group that would impress even Dr. Phil. Wishing everybody a terrific day ahead with time to appreciate everyone and everything that's made you who you are. And those people who make up your inner circle because they're the most trusted deserve a few of those eleven-second hugs I've written about for the last 10+ years. Take the time today, even if just for a few minutes, and appreciate all the good things in your life. Life isn't perfect, and none of us are on the same journey - but we're frequently moving too fast and not taking enough time to slow things down and appreciate life. Here's my point: We all have a support team, but forget to follow grandma's best advice, "Count your blessings." ![]() by Skip Cohen It's Reflections, and I never write about business and marketing on Sundays. It's also Mother's Day, which in the last few years seems to be fueled by rose-growers and venues offering a special brunch. Even the Tampa Tarpons, the New York Yankees minor league team, has a Mother's Day event. Just for the fun of it, and I've probably done this at least once in past years, I went searching for the origin of Mother's Day. Here's what I found on Google: The idea started in America when a woman called Anna Jarvis held a small memorial service for her own mother on 12 May 1907. Soon after, most places in America were observing the day and in 1914, the US president made it a national holiday, celebrated on the second Sunday of May. I really wanted to write something different about Mother's Day. I've written about the same thing about my mom for the last ten years. Mother's Day and Father's Day are very different when both parents have passed away; they are not different in the love you feel but in how you appreciate their role in your past. This is when all those old pictures come into play. Memories are priceless, and they're all fueled by photographs and videos. Every image has the ability to send me hurling through time and back to the moment the shutter was clicked. Then the stories roll out, followed by smiles, maybe a few bittersweet tears, and so often laughter. And if I ask Sheila, "Did I tell you about the time that...?" She's too polite to say yes, even though she can lipsync every word I'm about to share. To all of you Moms out there - Happy Mother's Day! And to all of you missing your mother, take the time to dig out a few old photographs. You'll be amazed at how quickly all the memories come back and are so uplifting. I like to think all our missing moms are hanging out together today, watching over us, laughing at the craziness of our lives, filled with pride and most important of all, helping us remember all the special moments. Wishing everybody a terrific day ahead. I hope you can celebrate Mother's Day, savoring each special memory and appreciating all those times your mother said, "You'll understand when you're a parent someday!" And if you're fortunate enough to have your mother with you today - go for one of those eleven-second hugs I always write about - nobody deserves it more than your Mom. Happy Mother's Day! ![]() by Skip Cohen I'm not sure how many years ago this started, but on Sundays, I began getting away from the topics of business and marketing. It's been at least a decade of rarely missing a Reflections post, and as I've written so many times, I only know what I'm going to write once I sit down at the computer. This morning, as we looked out on the backyard, I spotted the first bloom on the gardenia. We planted it years ago, but it's rarely bloomed with more than a few flowers. Well, this is the first of dozens, and two things struck me. To start, I was kind of amazed. This is the first flower, and as of late yesterday afternoon, there were only buds visible. Second, I had my phone in my pocket and decided to grab a shot. I played with a couple of Apple selections - first "portrait" and then "stage light." The result was the image above. But then I moved to "contour light" and the image below. No manipulation—it was right out of the camera with just a little bit of a crop. Stay with me because today's post isn't about technique or suggesting I'm a "real" photographer. What's on my mind is all about my life in this industry. My love for the craft started in high school, and it's never slowed down. Joining Polaroid in '70, Hasselblad in '87, followed by PhotoAlley, Rangefinder, WPPI, and off on my own in '09, my passion for imaging has never slowed down.
At the risk of sounding like this is a "born again" sermon - if you're not having the time of your life right now, you're doing something wrong. I'm not talking about the challenge and frustration of building your brand/business but the rush when you click the shutter. Even when you don't have a professional camera in your hands, that doesn't limit your ability to capture more memories. Sure, it's just a gardenia, but the fun of stopping to get a grab shot kicked off what I already know is going to be a great day! The images I got this morning represent the joy of a career well-traveled, well-lived, and still going. Along with my love for the craft, technology never slows down and deserves to be continuously embraced, as long as we don't forget to take the time to simply appreciate our ability to capture and create. Wishing everybody a day ahead that's filled with moments of joy. Take the time to have fun. "Fun" is one of those words we lose track of as it gets buried under the stress of business, life, and simply living. When you stop and take the time for a bit of fun, it changes your perspective. All of life's gremlins get put back in the box! Most importantly, today, grab a few shots of life around you. It's all pretty remarkable, and so often, we miss some of the most poignant moments. Hit those eleven-second hugs with the people you love the most—they're the ones to help you remember what's really important and help you stop to smell the roses—or, in my case, a gardenia! Happy Sunday...or Monday on the other side of the world. Looking back won't move you forward. Let the past go. Move on with the grace and wisdom that you've learned from every yesterday. Forgive yourself everything. You can't change what didn't happen or shift what did. Instead, live in the moment and look for all the beautiful possibility that today is filled with.* Cyndie Spiegel by Skip Cohen
It's Sunday, which means I'm going to hang up my marketing/business hat and get more personal. If you've followed me for even the shortest time, you already know this is my day to share whatever's on my mind or in my heart. I've written about a great habit, Sheila, and I got into - reading something inspirational every morning. Not everything we read always hits home, but now and then, there's a gem like yesterday's reading I've shared above. Like many of you, I've wasted too much time looking back. When I read the passage above, I loved the way she talked about what we've learned from every yesterday. Then came forgiving myself. When I look at my regrets, they all revolve around miscommunication, followed by a volley of wasted anger, hurtful responses, and, in the end, nothing I could change. Recognizing that my only option was to move forward, and with Sheila's help, I stopped looking back. There was no more speculation over all the "what-ifs" on things that can't be undone. The result has been remarkable, filled with all the beauty life offers and the recognition that living in the moment was the key to building something more lasting. Wishing you a day filled with beautiful possibilities and time to appreciate everything in your life that got you to today. Even the rough times have contributed to your ability to appreciate the joyful moments in your life. Go for those eleven-second hugs with the people most special in your life - they're a big part of the ingredients that help you keep moving forward. Look in your rearview mirror when you need to; just don't shift to reverse! Happy Sunday...or Monday on the other side of the world. *A Year of Positive Thinking by Cyndie Spiegel ![]() by Skip Cohen It's Sunday Morning Reflections and I never know what I want to write about until I sit down at the computer. For some reason, this morning my head is filled with an, almost overwhelming appreciation, for the career path I stumbled into so many years ago...photography. Here's the scenario that got me going today about my love for capturing memories... Sheila has been beating me up for years to get her prints of the photographs we've taken. Sadly, while I talk a good game about being organized, photographs are everywhere electronically. From my computer, to laptop, the cloud, Shutterfly, our phones, an old computer and a couple of jump drives, I've managed to replicate the equivalent of those memory-filled shoeboxes of photos my mother had! For her birthday in March, months earlier I started to pull together all the files. I hit Hobby Lobby for a coffee table memory box and started watching all the special print offers from Shutterfly. I filled the box with over a thousand 4x6 prints. It was the perfect birthday present, and has become the gift that keeps on giving. These pictures, combined with our memories make up our story together. Giving them even more impact, Sheila sorted them by by both trips/events and in chronological order. Opening the box, which now sits on the living room coffee table, launches an instant trip down Memory Lane! Here's my point - we take so much for granted in this industry. Photography is all about the magic of capturing memories. Digital is terrific, but many of us are still in love with a tactile world - having a print in your hands triggers the memories and in turn the stories flow. And with each laugh or tear, a photograph appreciates in value faster than any stock we could have invested in! I know I've written that I'd find a new quote about photography, but after dozens of times, it's still the very best: This is what I like about photographs. They're proof that once, even if just for a heartbeat, everything was perfect. Jodi Picoult Wishing everybody a day ahead that's filled with memory-making moments. Whether it's with a DSLR or your phone - capture those memories, but don't let them get buried in cyberspace. Every special moment deserves to be in the spotlight sometime in the future. Don't forget the eleven-second therapeutic hugs I always write about, but better yet, capture a few images or video of those times with the people who bring so much value to your life.
Happy Sunday...or Monday on the other side of the world. by Skip Cohen It's Sunday and Reflections is rarely about marketing and business. It's my time to get a little more personal than usual, and it's even become therapeutic. This morning, I'm doing a short brain dump on one way to deal with life's challenges...when the timing is right. I've written about "Slug Days" in the past. It's an expression I picked up from Sheila that is defined as a day when the only priority is to chill and pretty much do whatever you feel like. It's just a lazy day with time to pause and appreciate life. The need for a "Slug Day" is always based on those periods we all go through when things are overwhelming. It comes out of those days and weeks when you feel like you've done nothing but fight dragons. Those times when, day after day, things just don't go as you anticipated, or you just took on too much at once. The result is overload. Just before you crash and burn, the idea of a "Slug Day" glows in front of you like the "Welcome to Las Vegas" sign! Need a "Slug Day?" Here are a few guidelines for our house:
And here's the number one rule: Smile more bitch less...actually there's no bitching allowed. Here's my point—learn to recognize when you need to take a break. It's like the airlines telling you to put on your oxygen mask first to help others traveling with you. Your heart and soul are the priority; taking a "Slug Day" is one way to recharge them. Wishing all of you a perfect day ahead...if you need a "Slug Day," just take it! A true "Slug Day" requires virtually no advance preparation except a few deep breaths, a smile, and the recognition that nothing is as important as happiness. It's all in your perspective, and if there's somebody special in your life, it starts with one of those eleven-second hugs I always write about. We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses. Abraham Lincoln Happy Sunday...or Monday on the other side of the world.
by Skip Cohen When I first started Sunday Morning Reflections, it was a way for me to step away from marketing and business and get personal. The series gave me a chance to express something I was feeling that had nothing to do with photography but everything to do with life. As I've written before, Sheila and I started a tradition years ago of reading something motivational out loud to each other every morning at breakfast. We each have a book we've chosen that focuses on some daily thought that gets us energized for the day ahead. While some of you may think it's hokey, it works like an energy drink for the soul. My reading this morning, by Cyndie Spiegel, is appropriate for so many of us and fits perfectly with the knucklehead that I am: TAKE THE RISK There is always a risk when you commit to authentically being who you are. You will be judged, and some people may not like you. As scary as that may seem, don't allow yourself to become complacent in an effort to be liked by everyone else. You will be judged anyway, so why not be judged based on who you truly are? I'll admit it's not always easy, especially these days. Social media gives the whole world access to everything we share. That exposure leaves us open to criticism, whether we ask for it or not. And that brings me right to my point. Stay focused on the things that matter most to you. Listen to the rest of the world, but in the end, stay in tune with your heart. I saw a great line the other day: "Trust your heart. It knows the way!" Stop doubting yourself and be authentic. I've written many times about being a photographer: You can't create images that tug at people's heartstrings if your own heart isn't in it. The same applies to your life when a camera isn't in your hands. Nothing will hamper you more than a persona that isn't truly you. True belonging doesn't require you to change who you are; it requires you to be who you are. Brené Brown Wishing everybody a day ahead with no artificial ingredients. Take the time to appreciate everyone and everything that's contributed to who you are. Be authentic, and don't put out your fire because someone else doesn't understand your flame.* Go for those eleven-second therapeutic hugs I've been writing about - they really do work, especially with that special person you share your life with.
Happy Sunday...or Monday on the other side of the world. *Quote from OurMindfulLife.com ![]() 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! ![]() 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. |
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