by Skip Cohen

It's been a couple of weeks since I shared a Sunday Morning Reflections post. I had simply burned out and needed a break from anything that tied to social media. I needed to recharge!

This morning when I sat down to write, my mind was blank, but in a good way...like a blank canvas waiting for a painter's creative juices to flow. For ideas I wandered through my Adobe Stock downloads and *poof* there they were, two images that got me thinking.

When we were kids, one of the most fun days was when anybody in the neighborhood got a new refrigerator or stove. The excitement was never about the appliances but about the giant cardboard boxes they came in. Every appliance came with a secret passage to a land of imagination. Those boxes became spaceships, castles, race cars, and the list went on and on.

We're all just as creative today, but too often we're not having as much fun. Our imaginations are over-managed and harder to let loose. Our creativity is limited more to our profession, and it's not as much fun as dreaming without boundaries. We became adults and learned about risk-taking, and it broke so many of us. In a small way, that was part of why I recently needed to take a break.

Many years ago, I published a one-of-a-kind newsletter for our high school reunion. It was called "When Did We Become Our Parents." We were all coming up on sixty years old, and the publication had every participant's backstory since graduation from high school. 

Here's my point: When did we trade in fun and the freedom to simply dream for the practicality of the real world? When did so many of you feel so discouraged by dreams that never bloomed that you gave up and accepted the reality of our parents telling us to "grow up"!

Let's get back to those dreams! Every dream, regardless of how impractical it might seem today still has a spark of potential simply because it makes you smile and your heart skip a beat. It's about the excitement of life - don't mistake it for AFib.

Wishing all of you a terrific day ahead. Make it a day that leaves room for time to pull some of those past dreams out of storage.  Put them where they belong - on the front burner!  Don't forget you've got help too - your co-pilots are those people you're closest to - the ones that get the eleven-second therapeutic hugs I've been writing about for the last decade!

Happy Sunday...or Monday on the other side of the world!

Life is too short to live the same day twice.
Jennifer Lopez

by Skip Cohen

It's Sunday and my time to jump the tracks and head off in whatever direction my thoughts take me. As I've written in the past, it's my therapy.  I love stepping away from what I write about most often, business and marketing.

This morning I had a hard time finding what I wanted to share until I came across the quote above. But, as I've gotten older, I've found that life is too short to make the same mistake twice...or more for us slow learners. The reality is, as you get older and hit your "Golden Years," you realize that when it's a great day, you crave to repeat it! Life is definitely too short, but not to repeat terrific days.

I've grown to love Sundays...it's a slower pace, with less focus on what has to be done and more on whatever we want to do! It starts with getting the pups out and kicking off the daily routine. At some point, often before the coffee's even on, Alexa has her instructions for the morning music. Sundays always start with contemporary gospel or facsimile, because it represents a great chapter in Sheila's life when she'd head to church with her grandmother.

Next, I finish my Reflections post, followed by breakfast. I'm the official breakfast chef in this house. Not sure how I got the title, but I love it and take my responsibilities very seriously. So, whether it's pancakes, waffles, eggs - whatever, it's all cooked as a labor of love.

Here's my point - it takes practice, focus, and sometimes a Herculean effort to keep the outside world where it belongs...OUTSIDE. So the drawbridge comes up and the peace we enjoy, especially on Sunday mornings, doesn't get interrupted by anything that doesn't make us smile. Life is as good as we let it be, and while it's too short and goes by so quickly, that doesn't change the pure wonder and importance of savoring every special moment.  

So, as I sit here typing with Lucy on my lap...I'm wishing you a day that's so good it's worth living over and over again. Make a few new memories or just take the time to appreciate the old ones. Do your best to stay away from things that don't make you smile. Ignore the outside world for the day. Don't doom scroll or watch the news. All the craziness out there will still be there tomorrow morning!

ALWAYS go for those eleven-second hugs I started writing about ten years ago. Long hugs are therapeutic but only when they're with the people you love the most.

Happy Sunday...or Monday on the other side of the world.

Be happy. Be yourself. If others don't like it, then let them be. 
Happiness is a choice. Life isn't about pleasing everybody.
John Spense

by Skip Cohen

When I started writing this morning, I had no idea what I wanted to write about. But the fun of Sunday Morning Reflections is that it's ALWAYS a blank canvas - I have only one rule: to try NOT to write about marketing.

So, this morning I started by looking for inspiration in Adobe Stock. I've been using stock for post illustrations for many years. When the picture above came up, today's theme hit me. Life doesn't have to be a race, but the older you get, the more focused you are on what you want to do. You wake up one day and realize you have fewer days left in your life than you've lived. The "race" begins.

If you know me even a little bit, you know my love for the craft and especially the respect I have for those of you who are full-time artists. I'm not a full-time artist in photography, but somewhere in life I did become a writer. But like many of you, I wanted a change - not to step away from imaging and business, but to add another direction to my life's journey.

That direction has become a greater focus on the challenges of aging. The new Facebook group is approaching 300 members, and as new podcasts air, it's going to grow. We can't stop the aging process, but we can have more fun with it.

While most guys my age have slowed down, I'm feeling energized and ramping up. Don't get me wrong, I'm slower than I used to be and I still creak for ten minutes when I get up in the morning. I love a mid-day nap (why should kindergartners get all the benefits?) and time to recharge my batteries. I suppose if I were to update the illustration above, this shot would suit me better.

Catch the smile on the old guy's face. That's how I feel working on this new project. It's bringing out energy and hopefully some solid information to help you bring more dignity to aging. It's also given me better focus, and while it's not a race, I don't have all the time in the world like I believed when I was younger.

Somebody recently tossed a negative bomb in a comment to me. You know the kind - trolls who like to dump their negativity on your doorstep, then run. His opinion was that it's time for me to slow down. Well, my mantra for years has never been more appropriate:

I do it because I can. I can because I want to.
I want to because you told me I couldn't!
Unknown Author

Here's my point...if you're not smiling at the start of every new day, then it might be time to change something in your routine. As the expression goes, this isn't a rehearsal - it's the only life you've got. So, focus on what your heart's telling you. "Happiness starts from within. True joy comes when you accept who you are, stop looking for outside approval, and enjoy your own company." GoodReads.com

I hate turning a post into an infomercial, but please check out the new Facebook group and join us. There's so much good content waiting in the wings and coming each week.

In the meantime, make it a day filled with new memories. If you need a slug day, then take it without guilt and appreciate the downtime. If you're pumped and loaded with energy, put it into something you love doing and the "peeps" you love to be with. With a world that's upside down, those eleven-second therapeutic hugs have never been more important to share.

Thanks for hanging out with me - Happy Sunday...or Monday if you're on the other side of the world. ​

"Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time." 
Marthe Troly-Curtin​

by Skip Cohen

Rarely can I not come up with something on my mind to write about on a Sunday morning. I only have one steadfast rule for Sunday Morning Reflections: never write about business. I've sat here for 45 minutes with Lucy, our mini-golden doodle on my lap, "doom scrolling" through Facebook notifications and I've come up with absolutely no topic. However, it was a mistake to doom-scroll and view dozens of alarming political stories. Plus Facebook is seeding everything based on whatever's in my search history.

So, it hit me just now that my topic for today is simplicity. I want Sheila, me, and the pups to enjoy a stress-free slug day where there's no pressure to accomplish anything. That's right...with the stress in most of our lives, we ALL deserve a day with the only priority being time to appreciate our lives and the family and friends who make it all work.

I'm going to turn wasting time into an art form. When you're lucky enough to live in a vacation destination like the Gulf Coast of Florida, there's so much you take for granted. People come to the area to chill, yet living here, too many of us often forget to take the time to kick back and relax. When it was storming the other night and we had to change our plans, I used my favorite expression; "No big deal. It's not our last night!"

When I was a kid, this was the one day my Dad's biggest project was to help me on my paper route, delivering the Sunday Plain Dealer and then kick back for the rest of the day. In the summertime, his biggest effort was lifting a bag of charcoal and lighting the grill. He'd crank up the stereo, listen to classical music, and relax.

Sheila and I refer to our home as living in a bubble... we do our best not to let the insanity of the outside world in, even referring to the imaginary moat around our house and often "pulling up the drawbridge" to keep out the trolls.

A few years back I wrote a post about slug days with the following pointers:

• Recognize that it's time for a day of R&R.  Step away from the challenges. It's not always easy, but with practice, it's no more complicated than pushing the pause button on a video.
• Hang out a "Do Not Disturb" sign!
• Find a brainless movie that makes you laugh.
• Put on some great music! Alexa will be working overtime today, playing music throughout the house.
• Time together: If there's somebody special in your life, they become a priority. For example, my computer will be shut down once I'm done with today's post. Sheila and the pups take priority.
• Grazing is a necessity for us. We're foodies, and we're already thinking about what culinary craziness is on the menu.
• No Worry Zone: Our house is off-limits to any negativity. We're simply putting anything that creates stress on the back burner.

Wishing all of you a stress-free day ahead. Don't worry about wasting time when you need a break from all the noise in your life. Don't worry about your goals - they'll all be there tomorrow! Take the time to savor the day, like slowly sipping that fine wine you've been saving for a special occasion.  Shut off all the negativity banging on your front door. If necessary, hide under the bed like some of us did as little kids! Savor only the good things happening in your life...and definitely laugh a lot.

Go for those eleven-second therapeutic hugs I've been writing about for over a decade. And most important of all, pat yourself on the back for everything you accomplished last week, without worrying about the week coming up!

Happy Sunday...it's not wasting time if whatever you're doing makes your heart soar!

by Skip Cohen

It's Sunday and my day to run amok. I rarely write about marketing/business, always going into something more personal. Unlike most Reflections, this morning I really did know what I wanted to write about. Today our Havanese, Belle, is seven years old. Her sister, Lucy, hit seven five days ago.

If you've followed me over the years, then you remember me writing about Molly the Wonder Dog. She was a 65 lb Labradoodle, the first dog I ever got as a puppy. She went to the office with me every day for 13 years. Everyone who's ever lost a dog knows the overwhelming sense of loss and sadness. But today's post isn't about losing a dog, but about the value of all the memories, our photographs, and our videos.

A few months before our vet helped me make the decision to let Molly go, "Vanelli" was here for the weekend. He captured what would become two of the most treasured pictures I've ever had. After Molly passed, for days I'd start each day looking at these two photographs, as if somehow Molly was still here by my side.

Then one day, Sheila suggested it was time to replace Molly with two smaller dogs, so we'd both have pup time when we needed it. I knew I was ready, but skeptical. That was Fall of 2019, just a few months before the pandemic hit. As the expression goes, the rest is history.

Lucy and Belle are full members of the family, but there's something about having two dogs that brings them even more into our lives. We became dog people with a set of daily routines that keep us smiling, even on the toughest of days.

Belle and Lucy were 4 months old when they joined the family. Time really does fly when you're having a good time, because neither of us can believe it's been almost seven years they've been with us. But everything people write about dogs enriching life is true. Sadly, their time with us is way too short, especially considering the priceless value they bring into our lives.

Here's my point: Having two dogs totally expanded and strengthened the bond between all of us. It's non-stop unconditional love all day, every day, and it just keeps getting better. I feel so lucky to have had Molly in my life and now be hanging out with Lucy and Belle.

And to Belle, when she reads this, because I'm convinced she knows all our passwords and is on the computer all the time ordering from Amazon - Happy Birthday! I know Lucy tries to upstage you all the time, but at half her size, you're the Alpha dog. What a kick!

Wishing everybody a day ahead that's filled with memory-making moments. If you're a dog family, get some pics today...there's very little that beats an album of pup pics! And if you're going for one of those eleven-second therapeutic hugs I write about every Sunday - don't forget the four-legged members of the family!

​Happy Sunday...or Monday if you're on the other side of the world.

"Petting, scratching, and cuddling a dog could be as soothing to the mind and heart
as deep meditation, and almost as good for the soul as prayer."
Dean Koontz

I do it because I can...I can because I want to...
​I want to because you said I couldn't.
Unknown Author

by Skip Cohen

I was recently asked, "At your age, why would you want to start a podcast series completely outside your career in imaging?" The question had a certain sarcastic tone, as if my qualifications were being questioned, or, more disturbing to me, the suggestion that I was too old to start something new.

To start, questioning the wisdom of launching a project at this point in my life should have NOTHING to do with my age. Yes, I'm an old fart, but the challenges of aging and especially Alzheimer's are things I've been around my entire life.

All three generations of women in the picture to the right all died of Alzheimer's. Most recently was my mother; before her, my grandmother, and when I was a kid, my great-grandmother, whose lap I'm sitting on as a baby.  Alzheimer's runs in my family, on my mother's side.

We moved to Florida in 2011 to give my Dad a hand. He was 89 and was losing a little more of my mother every day to the disease. It was recommended that I get Dad into a caregiver support group, which is where the Senior Friendship Centers came into my life. Meeting every Thursday morning, we turned it into a weekly event: meeting in the morning, then going out to lunch together.

That group led me to work for the Friendship Centers, where I set up their blog, and later I was asked to join their Board, where I proudly served for many years. Years later, I got involved in other projects, again tied to the challenges of aging, including writing for the Alzheimer's Association's South Florida newsletter.

I suppose my most direct answer to my WHY is simply, I want to! Since moving to Sarasota, dozens of people have helped us through the challenges. Each one of them has had some level of expertise in an area related to aging - from the medical side to elder law, therapy, social workers, and friends. Each challenge has been a reminder that none of us are alone!

Before They Take Away My Keys is about paying it forward. It's about finding a way to give back and being forever grateful to all the people who helped us over and again. Even today, as Sheila and I hit the "golden age," there are so many resources we draw on.

So, the new podcast and direction in my career really isn't new at all. It's about living a life with minimal regrets, one that is fulfilling and, oh yes, "FUN!"  But aging isn't for sissies! At some point, all of us have to face the challenge that we really do have to give up our car keys, but that's why God created Lyft and Uber! However, before that day comes, we thought it was time for a podcast series with a resource that reminds you of the necessity to smile more and bitch less.

Wishing all of you a terrific day ahead. Take the time to make some new memories and expand Memory Lane into a busy freeway of backstories! Go for those eleven-second therapeutic hugs I always write about with the people you love the most. And whatever challenges you're facing under the umbrella of aging, remember you're not alone.

​Happy Sunday...of Monday if you're on the other side of the world.

Never. We never lose our loved ones. They accompany us;
​they don't disappear from our lives.
We are merely in different rooms.
Paulo Celho

by Skip Cohen

On Sundays I always jump the tracks and stay away from business topics. I rarely know what I'm going to write about until I get up in the morning. But this morning was tough - looking for inspiration, I scrolled through my Facebook notifications and found nothing but repetitive political themes, infomercials on how to lower our electric bills, reduce an enlarged prostate, and fireworks displays.

Somewhere in my pondering, searching for something I could write about, I was looking around my office. It occurred to me that my office has become a memory museum focused on family, friends, and my life in the photo industry.  And every "exhibit" has a backstory.

From a Hasselblad dark slide signed by friends at my going away party in 1999 to my Dad's college fraternity paddle; one of my favorite prints by good buddy Bob Coates; books signed by Avedon; and even a tourist bought shot of me and good buddy, "Hoss" at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame...the list goes on and on.

Don't be mistaken - I don't live in the past. However, the inspiration of so many people who have come into my life energize my quest to make more memories into the future!

by Skip Cohen

Years ago, I wanted a way to post content that was more personal and less business-focused. So, Sunday Morning Reflections became my vehicle to share whatever was on my mind, and today is no exception.

Ever had an idea that you wanted to implement, but you spent so long pondering and analyzing that you almost missed the window of opportunity? Well, that's been me, and it's all about creating an open forum where we could share ideas about getting older. But not just from the personal perspective, but supporting those special people in our lives who are more senior - parents, relatives, and friends.

The idea for a podcast, social media page and website really started years ago with my Dad. During the last week of his life, he kept asking, "Why can't the doctors tell me what's wrong and fix it?" The truth was, he was 93, and the docs couldn't do anything more, but his caregiver and other family members insisted he not be told he was dying. Finally, one night at the hospital, my wife Sheila answered Dad's question, "Dad, do you know how seriously sick you are?"

Dad paused for a few seconds in deep thought and then burst into tears, finally understanding. It then became a mad rush to say the things he wanted to share with those of us who were bedside. I know in my heart had Dad known earlier, there were people he would have loved to talk to. He lived an amazing life and was always grateful to his friends and family for making it all so good.

That evening has haunted me ever since... but combine that with my own aging and the loss of so many friends over the last few years, and it got me thinking about the importance of "no regrets."

​This past week, I launched a new FB group on a topic near and dear to me...the challenges of aging. Before They Take Away My Keys is the title, which pretty much says it all. The preview podcast is currently live and below. Chamira Young is my co-host. Together, we've done a couple of hundred podcasts over the years, but never with a topic this personal.

This is what I like about photographs.
They're proof that once, even if just for a heartbeat, everything was perfect.
Jodi Picoult

by Skip Cohen

It's Father's Day, and when you're estranged from your kids and your own father has passed away, you'd think it would be a tough day. Thanks to photographs and terrific memories, it's going to be a great day. That quote from author Jodi Picoult couldn't be more appropriate.

Father's Day originated in the US after Sonora Smart Dodd, the daughter of a Civil War veteran, wanted to pay an ode to fathers around the world. It is believed that she took inspiration from Anna Jarvis, the founder of Mother's Day...She is said to have had the idea in 1909 while listening to a sermon on Mother's Day, which was emerging as a holiday. Google Search

The fun of this morning is telling stories about my Pop. When I was a kid, in the wintertime, he was the one dad who would tie a rope to the car's bumper and let us hook up our sleds as he pulled us around the neighborhood. Today, he'd be in jail for child endangerment, but life was different back then. He was the pop who drove us around on July 4th, tossing cherry bombs out the window under bridges, alleys, and the arcade in the shopping center just to see how loud we could make them.

He was also that dad who, when something hit him as truly funny, he'd laugh until he cried. From the Three Stooges to watching Bobo Brazil and the Gallagher Brothers on Saturday wrestling, there was no better buddy to hang out with.

But most important of all, he was my best buddy. He was my best man at my first marriage, and he was the only person in my family to support me when Sheila and I married in 2010. I remember thanking him for keeping an open heart through my divorce and later my relationship with Sheila. His answer? "When you love somebody, an open heart is your only choice."

And that was my Dad. While I miss him all the time, it's those photographs and videos we've got that keep his memory alive. So often, I'll say to Sheila, "I wish Dad could see this," and her answer is always the same: "He does!"

When I was twelve, and somebody asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I always answered, "A Dad!" Nothing changes the fun of looking back on those days or watching your kids grow up. And while we can never stop time or turn back the clock, we can learn to better appreciate every minute of the day.

So to all you dads out there, Happy Father's Day! Don't compromise on making new memories and capture them with more than just neurochromes*. Nothing beats looking at old photographs and the memories they bring back.

Wishing everybody a terrific Sunday, and time to savor your family, friends, and those special moments that make life so worth living and remembering!  Make it a day to remember. Go for those eleven-second therapeutic hugs with the people you love the most, and pat yourself on the back for being a Dad.

Happy Father's Day!

*Neurochromes," if you've missed my reference in past posts, are those image you capture with your mind, when you don't have a camera in your hands!

by Skip Cohen

​It's Sunday morning, and for a whole lot of years, I've always made today a time to go completely off my normal topics and get a little more personal. Well, between painting the inside of our home from top to bottom, losing a good friend, and my birthday, I've been AWOL most of the week. Life just simply got in the way.

Although life didn't really get in the way; it just got lived! For example, yesterday, very early in the morning, I drove over to Orlando to say goodbye to a good friend, Mike Strickland. It was an emotional day, and if you knew Mike, then it was his smile and never-ending kindness that gave him such a huge presence.

But it's not really the funeral I'm writing about this morning; it's the power of a walk down Memory Lane. It's left me smiling... and that's a huge part of what Mike was all about - laughter, kindness, respect, and a level of spirituality that would turn even the most dedicated skeptic.

While our conversation started with the sadness of losing Mike to a horrible car accident, Tony Corbell and I had time for a long jog down Memory Lane. We first met in 1987...giving us close to 40 years of stories that a room full of Hollywood's best writers couldn't match!

As I hit the road for the trip home, I couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of pride at having known Mike and considered him a friend...but the longer I drove, the more time I had to appreciate good friends and all the stories I have from fifty-six years in this industry.

Best of all, the opportunity for memory-making moments hasn't disappeared, with the potential for more sequels than Marvel could ever come up with. I might be slowing down with age, but life around me sure isn't. I still wake up excited for the day ahead, just creak for a few minutes first. And those moments I look forward to are all thanks to knuckleheads like Corbell and Strickland, just to name a few.

The bottom line - Fifty-six years ago, I stumbled into the photography industry. All along the way, some amazing people have come into my life and are still coming! Each one has brought them another moment of growth and even wonder. Alfred Lord Tennyson, whom I've quoted hundreds of times before, wrote: "I am a part of all that I have met."

Well, no statement could be more accurate for me this morning. I'm going to miss Mike a lot, but he's only as far away as my memories allow him to be. Memory Lane has become an 8-lane super highway, chock-full of great stories thanks to so many friendships.

Wishing all of you a day ahead of memory-making. Go for those eleven-second therapeutic hugs I always write about with the people you love the most. And stop wasting time worrying about things you can't change. Instead, appreciate who you are this very second. Then think about all those friends who have contributed to your never-ending growth of love and gratitude and oh yeah, smiles and laughter!

Happy Sunday...or Monday on the other side of the world.

We didn't realize we were making memories, we just knew we were having fun.
Winnie the Pooh

by Skip Cohen
​
I never know where I'm going with Sunday Morning Reflections until I sit down and start writing. Tomorrow is Memorial Day, and this morning Sheila got me thinking about the holiday. She commented about how strange it seems to wish people a Happy Memorial Day, a day honoring Americans who have died.

From Wikipedia about Memorial Day: Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the Union and Confederate soldiers who died in the Civil War. By the 20th century, Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who have died while in the military service.

When I was a kid, I never really understood the importance of the day. I'd have to march in the band in the parade, and we'd finish at the park in town. At some point, there would be speeches, and a few guys in uniform who looked older than dirt would be honored. I had no idea what they had sacrificed, who they were, or what they had fought for.

As I got older, my appreciation grew, especially when I lost a friend or two in Viet Nam. I remember a trip to Washington with my own kids and visiting the Viet Nam Memorial and afterward, just sitting in the park in silence. Had it not been for that first lottery, I would have been drafted and likely known many of those names. Maybe my name would have been on that wall.  My silence and the tears as my eyes welled up were for so many lost lives.

Today, more people recognize the contributions of the men and women in our armed forces. For us, Memorial Day isn’t about politics; it's about solemn respect and deep gratitude for the men and women who serve our country every day.  And, I'd like to sneak in another group on this Memorial Day. Since we’re photographers and part of an amazing industry, it’s time to thank all the photojournalists around the world who help us understand the risks and the effort these men and women take.

So, to my Dad who served in WWII, our son Brian who spent his life in the military, to all my friends who served in Viet Nam, to my brother-in-law Randy who rarely took off his Marine baseball hat, and to every mother and father who have ever stood behind their military-bound sons and daughters, thank you.

It seems like such a trite, inadequate way to show appreciation, but we're here enjoying a quiet Memorial Day weekend, along with millions of Americans who will also enjoy the day, thanks to what all of you have given our country.

Make it a great weekend.  Don’t waste a minute of time…enjoy your family, your friends, and think about what Memorial Day really means. Always go for those eleven-second therapeutic hugs I always write about, especially with the people you love the most. 

by Skip Cohen

Unlike most Sunday morning posts, I knew exactly what I wanted to write about this morning. It's Mother's Day, and especially with both my parents having passed, I tend to think beyond not only "Mom" but my folks. As I've gotten older, my most cherished memories come with old photographs. For my mom, and dad too, their story was captured in a day-in-the-life album thanks to Cantrell Portrait Design and Graphi Studio.

The album contains only 14 photographs, printed full-page and often without a border. The book is proof that less is more!  It captures the love they shared. The cover shot is simply a full-page bleed black and white and is proof that a picture really is worth a thousand words.

But today's post isn't just about my folks; it's about the mistake we all make in thinking we have unlimited time with the people we love the most. Looking back, especially on Mother's Day, I regret not getting closer to my Mom before Alzheimer's robbed us of so many years and better memories. She fought the battle for eight years, and Dad never left her side.

I might be an old fart, but that doesn't change the fact that I'm missing my folks and Mom this Mother's Day. But thanks to photographs, there are no tears, just deep smiles and memories of the good times, the crazy times, and even the sad moments of letting go.

When Mom passed, we were all around her bed. My Dad whispered in her ear, "What a great run we had!"  Sheila said, "Mom, it's okay to let go and be with God." One tear rolled down Mom's cheek, she let out a  sigh, and let go. It had been raining, and at the same time a rainbow appeared. Seriously, no embellishment- It was a Hollywood moment.

So for those of you who, like me, and have lost your mother, I'm a fan of Marianne Williamson, who talks a lot about death. I've never been particularly spiritual, but that's where Sheila comes in.  I know the only thing that's changed is that Mom's left her physical being, but her spirit is alive and well and all around us. Hang on to only the good memories you have of your mother and cherish every smile they give you.

To all of you celebrating with your mothers today... enjoy each minute with the same focus you'd have when when savoring a fine wine. Don't waste a minute on anything that doesn't matter. Take those walks down Memory Lane and get a few grab-shots and video to cherish years from now.

And to all of you Moms out there, thank you for the path you chose. We're all here thanks to your journey and the sacrifices you make every day as a mother.

Wishing everyone a terrific Sunday. This is definitely a day to go for those eleven-second therapeutic hugs I always write about, especially if you're going to be with your mother today. And if you're like me, and Mom has long since passed, she's still watching over you - send her that hug anyway.

Happy Sunday...and Mother's Day!

...

Thinking is difficult.
That's why most people judge.
Carl Jung

by Skip Cohen

This was yesterday's selection from Lou Mitchell's book, Mastering Positive Thinking. He went on to write:

...It's often easier to form quick judgments than to ponder complex ideas and understand different perspectives. Judgment provides an illusion of certainty and control, while genuine thinking requires patience, open-mindedness, and a willingness to embrace uncertainty....How often do you find yourself jumping to conclusions rather than seeking a deeper understanding?​

I didn't want to turn today's Sunday Morning Reflections into a rant, but after watching the news the last few nights, it's getting harder and harder not to share my frustration. We all have times when we draw the wrong assumptions because we judge too quickly. We're even taught, as kids, not to "judge a book by its cover."

For me, my favorite is the latest absurdity over "8647" now being suggested as a death threat...

"86" (or "eighty-six") is American slang meaning to get rid of, cancel, refuse service to, or discard something. Originating in the 1930s, diner and soda-counter slang to signify an item was out of stock, it has evolved into a general term for eliminating, ejecting a person from a venue, or canceling plans. (Google and Merriam Webster)

Here's my point: the only way to keep our lives back on track is to set a good example within our own community. We don't have much influence over the craziness of a government that's forgotten about "We the People," but we can live our lives at a level far above the standards they keep setting. 

And here's one more quote that brings it together, thanks to Lou Mitchell again,

Snow flakes are one of nature's most fragile things,
but just look at what they can do when stick together.
Vesta Kelly

...and one last favorite from a quick Google search:

If you put the federal government in charge of the Sahara Desert,
in 5 years there'd be a shortage of sand.
M. Friedman

Wishing everybody a day ahead that allows you the time to simply kick back and think without passing judgement. Focus on your dreams and the people you love the most. Make a few new memories and appreciate all that you have with the people who get those eleven-second therapeutic hugs I always write about. 

Happy Sunday...or Monday on the other side of world.

As I've gotten older, I've noticed how fast time flies by. I'm aware of how quickly one memory seems to melt into another, and another. I've found myself caring about things that never mattered and being concerned about issues that always seemed so far removed.

I've noticed that I've become obsessed with the state of our country and the complete disregard for We the People, from a government that overall doesn't care. That feeling is disrupting the peace in our lives. I've lost respect for most of America's leaders, but that's not really my point -- It's worrying about things I can't control that it's having an impact on a level of happiness that I do control.

None of us knows what tomorrow will bring. Here's my point: live life to the fullest. With age comes a special awareness—I realize how short life is, and how quickly time flashes by. It's fine to recognize things you should have done differently in the past, but life isn't about what's in your rearview mirror; it's about the journey ahead of you. Learn from your regrets, including being focused on so much that's outside our control. It's simply time to move on to that next special moment.

Wishing you a day filled with peace, love, and memory-making moments. Take the time to remind those people most important to you of the special role they play in your life. Go for those therapeutic eleven-second hugs. And, just to play off one of my favorite sunsets above - great sunsets can't be a part of your life if you don't take the time to look at them! Most important of all - don't let current events interfere with your dreams! No matter what gets in the way, nothing takes priority over dreams!

Happy Sunday...or Monday on the other side of the world.

Be grateful for those who make us happy.
Marcel Proust

by Skip Cohen

​My process for writing on Sunday mornings is almost always the same. I wake up about 6:30, and before Sheila wakes up, I'll stay in bed and start thinking about a topic for Sunday Morning Reflections. The challenge lately is fighting the urge to rant over everything each of us is dealing with daily.

But this morning I started out looking for a great quote, and when I read the one above, it gave me a good way to turn my wanna-be rant into something more positive. Think about this for just a second -- It's our friends who make us happy and prevent us from being crushed to death by the outside world. It's the people who make us laugh and remind us of how special life truly is, even through the storms.

This is a short post this morning, dedicated to laughter. But I'm not talking about chuckles, I'm talking about those big, deep laughs that are so intense you start to tear up in the process. It's those laughs that become aerobic, pushing your heart to keep up with the pace that often takes your breath away.

Author Lou Mitchell, along with the quote above, went on to write:

Marcel Proust reminds us to appreciate the people who bring joy and positivity into our lives.  These individuals often go unnoticed as we navigate our daily routine, yet their presence and actions significantly impact our well-being and happiness. Taking the time to express gratitude for their contributions not only strengthens our relationships but also enriches our own sense of fulfillment and connection...Reflect on the people who make you happy. How often do you express your gratitude for their presence in your life?

So, my post this morning is one of gratitude for all the friends who have made me happy in the past, present, and future. It's thanks in part to you that I wake up smiling and maintain an almost childlike wonder about what each new day will bring.

My list is too long to share here, but you know who you are. And since aging can never be slowed down, I know there are people and events I've forgotten—but that doesn't change everyone's contribution. We're an industry of artists who watch each other's backs. In turn, new memories are always being made, built on a foundation of laughter and, here and there, completely poor taste! LOL

So, wishing everybody a day ahead that's filled with joy and time spent with those who help you smile—even on days when joy seems out of reach. Go for those eleven-second therapeutic hugs I've been writing about for over ten years, and channel that rant-energy into something uplifting for the day!

Happy Sunday or Monday if you're on the other side of the world.

Note: The collage of pics above is the best I could do on short notice, but it's just a small percentage of the laughs in our lives!

by Skip Cohen

If you're new here, a quick note: Sunday Morning Reflections are rarely about business. I use Sundays to share personal thoughts you might relate to, steering clear of the daily hot topics.

At a time when all of us are dealing with the stress of the world, we also have our routines to keep our sanity and love in our hearts. As sappy as that sounds, it's what Sheila and I are doing. Here's something that helps, especially on Sunday mornings...

Sheila grew up with a grandmother who took her to church on Sundays, and her life was filled with old-style gospel music. She started a tradition in our house, Sunday morning gospel music. In recent years, it's evolved into Lauren Daigle, and she plays all morning long. It's uplifting, and while the two of us grew up with completely different backgrounds, we both believe in God and have faith that the craziness of the world right now doesn't belong under our roof.

Music had become the great equalizer, bringing a sense of balance to us both. During the week, the days start out with something new age and mellow. For example, Enya, Yanni, and Kitaro radio, all from Pandora. Mid-day, it all changes, and it'll be contemporary artists, but my point is, there's ALWAYS music playing in our home. We've got six Alexa devices, all synced, and we take turns deciding what to listen to. On any given day, it might be Willie Nelson, Chris Stapleton, Eva Cassidy, CSN, Pink, the Who, even a Broadway sound track or Andrea Bocelli - there's no way to predict what we'll be in the mood for.

Music is a powerful therapeutic tool for mental health, offering solace, emotional regulation, and a way to express the inexpressible when words fail. Key figures like Oliver Sacks describe it as a "tonic" and "necessity" for neurological and emotional well-being, capable of lifting depression and calming anxiety. From Google AI

Whatever your musical tastes, don't underestimate the power of music to help you focus on what's most important in your life. When we've got music in the house, the "drawbridge" stays up, and the trolls can't get in! Yeah, it really has become that simple.

At the risk of sounding like a leftover hippy from Woodstock...I'm wishing you a day of peace, love, and time with the people in your life who mean the most to you. Don't let anything or anyone get in the way of the bond you feel with those lovable knuckleheads whom you cherish. Go for those eleven-second therapeutic hugs I always write about and keep the outside world where it belongs...OUT!

Wishing you a happy Sunday—or a great start to your week, wherever you are.

I am a part of all that I have met.
Alfred Lord Tennyson

by Skip Cohen

Sheila and I were talking last night about today's post. With all the protests around the world yesterday, I was feeling compelled to write about "We the People," but I knew I couldn't do so without sounding like a rant. Plus, I'd only be adding to the NOISE you hear all day, every day. She reminded me that my readers stop by on Sundays to read something that's not in the news; has nothing to do with marketing; is more personal and outside the norm.

The quote above is one of my favorites, reminding us that each of us is a composite of all the people who have come and gone in our lives, combined with all our experiences.

Twenty-nine years ago today, Sheila's brother Alan was killed in a road-rage incident in Tucson. Thirty days earlier two of her brothers, Wally and Jimmy, were killed in a car accident. A year or two later, her father died, and after that, her mother. Sheila lost five family members over five years.

But sharing this story isn't about her enduring tragedy; it's about how it made her the warrior she is. Through the entire process of grief, she never lost her zest for life, and belief in God. Everything that's happened in her life has made her who she is today.

At a time when most of us would have would have fallen apart, she got stronger, determined not to let tragedy grind her down. That's what became the foundation for our friendship, which later became our love story. It was her never-ending appreciation for life that helped set the pace for building our relationship.

Think about your own experiences and the people who have come into your life. It's their impact that's made you who you are today. Based on a poem by Brian Chalker, there's a sappy quote that people come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. In my case, Sheila came into my life for a reason and stayed a lifetime.

They say that with age comes wisdom...I'm not sure it's really wisdom or simply lessons that can only come from longevity. It's our capacity to learn from the past and, in turn, enhance our journey going forward. And while it's a sad day to look back on her losses that started in 1997, it's the memories of the good times that hold the focus best.

When we built the water feature in our butterfly garden, (pictured above) I suggested the three monoliths represent Sheila's three brothers. Over a year ago, we added the sculpture of the two boys playing, representing two other brothers she lost in recent years. Together in the garden, loaded with milkweed and Monarch butterflies all summer long, the "Boyz," whom I never knew, maintain a reminder that love doesn't disappear when somebody passes. There's a great line from the movie "Tuesdays with Morrie"...Death ends a life not a relationship.

Wishing everybody a day ahead filled with time to look back on the memories of people who came into your life and brought with them something that stayed with you -- some aspect that helped make you who you are today. That old line about "it takes a village" couldn't be more appropriate when you look at why you are who you are. For those people in your life who stayed a lifetime, go for those eleven-second therapeutic hugs I always write about.

And to all of you, thank you!  Whether you're here for a reason, a season, or a lifetime, you are part of my story. Your inspiration and friendship are helping to navigate an upside-down world together.

Happy Sunday...or Monday if you’re on the other side of the world.

"The darkest nights produce the brightest sunrises."
Unknown

Despite everything that's wrong—or at the very least challenging—in my life, so much is right. Yet, amid the stress of living, I've wasted too much time focusing on what's missing instead of what's in front of me. Maybe the difference between a curmudgeon and a dreamer is simply more sunrises. Perhaps how a day starts matters more than watching the sun drop below the horizon.

I recognize that I'm sounding a little too much like Jack Handy from years back with SNL, but this morning I have a feeling I don't want to lose. I can choose to celebrate that thorns have roses, or be miserable because roses have thorns—it's all in perspective.

Wishing everyone a day filled with memory-making moments and inner peace. Treasure those who bring you happiness, and share an eleven-second hug with the one who matters most. Make today meaningful.

Happy Sunday or Monday if you're on the other side of the world.

by Skip Cohen

​Most of the time on Sundays when I sit down to write Reflections, I really don't know what I want to write about until I start typing...then, it's whatever's in my head that spills onto the keyboard.

Before I could get started this morning, I needed to visit the Hulu website.  In early February, we made what we thought was a terrific decision. We wanted to get rid of Comcast/Xfinity and go back to Frontier/Verizon, which we had 9 years ago. In the process, our Hulu account expired and needed to be linked to our new accounts. 

Here's where the madness comes in: the marketing departments at Frontier and Verizon don't talk to each other. Every few days, there's another special offer to bundle your phones, Internet, and entertainment. Then, just to add a little more spice to the mix, there are multiple offers within each category. For example, on Hulu alone, there were 10 different bundles to choose from.

And to go one step further, when you start searching for what you thought you wanted, you're pitched something else. God forbid you should ask for help by phone. It all starts with every company's robot that needs to know why you're calling. You're led to believe there's going to be some logic applied, but whoever you finally speak with, you can NEVER connect again.

So far, just at Frontier alone,  I've talked to "Judge," "Brandon," "Sam", "Joy," and "Thomas," and I've written one letter to Frontier's CEO. Thomas is the ONLY one to actually help, but he was my last stop, working through the executive office of Frontier. And on Verizon, it's ongoing as I learn various discounts don't show up until the 2nd or third billing cycle.

They say you don't appreciate what you have until it's gone...Well, I want to go back to the days when I was a kid. We had just three stations, and they all signed off at midnight with the test pattern to the right. We got the "Chief," and nobody complained about not being woke because a Native American appeared on your TV screen, essentially telling you to go to bed!

No choices beyond that, and if you wanted to figure out what you were going to watch on any given evening, the TV Guide was on the coffee table.

Today, in an effort to make our lives easier, more fulfilling, and less expensive, we've switched to YouTube TV.... Then there's Netflix, Hulu, Paramount+, Prime Video, Disney+, and 100+ live channels. Trying to reach most of the shows we enjoy watching becomes a giant WTF moment. In fact, if it wasn't for the F-bomb during the search for something we'd like to watch, Sheila and I would be mutes!

But the confusion doesn't end... as contracts between studios and networks change, so does the platform on which we want to watch. Or we can search for what we want to watch, but can't access it without signing up for an additional entertainment provider.

Will somebody STOP THE MADNESS! Imagine if your doctor switched to dentistry, or your cardiologist became a proctologist and didn't tell you until you were in the dental chair or examination room. Which reminds me of a Tony Corbell joke:

A woman goes to her dentist. She says, "I don't know which I hate more: having my teeth drilled or having a baby." He replies, "Well, make up your mind so I know which way to tilt the chair!"

Wishing everybody a day ahead with nothing but easy choices. No matter what you choose to do or who to be with, remember: what's most important is the peace and love they bring into your life. That's why those eleven-second therapeutic hugs I always write about become even more valuable—especially when you feel like you're about to be lost at sea... a sea of choices and decisions!

Our world is filled with too many choices. And no matter what you choose, there's always another offer waiting in the wings. It's choice overload, and I've got a headache just thinking about it. So, time to take a couple of Tylenol...if the government hasn't found my stash.

Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass.
​It's about learning how to dance in the rain.
Vivian Green

by Skip Cohen

It's Sunday, and even if you're relatively new to following this blog, you know that one day a week, I go with whatever's on my mind. And even though one of the fundamental rules of social media is to not get too personal, that's what Sunday Morning Reflections are all about.

I first read the quote above many years ago, and it became part of my personal mantra, along with I do it because I can, I can because I want to, I want to because you said I couldn't! Whatever the crisis I was dealing with, whether personal or business, my goal was to always be dancing in the rain. But as I look back on the last year or so, I'm hardly alone - everyone is living in a flood zone!

No matter who you are, when or where you grew up, everyone has someone who tried to teach them any one of dozens of one-liner how-to-live-your-life quotes. One of my grandmothers loved "Every cloud has a silver lining," while the other was "A stitch in time saves nine," and "Don't cry over spilled milk." The list goes on and on.

We're living in a volatile world, and EVERYONE has been learning to dance in the rain. From a government that's forgotten about "We the People" to the challenges in the economy, the war in Iran, and Mother Nature's wrath with plenty of real rain and severe storms, we could all win "Dancing With the Stars" based on how we deal with each new challenge.

With the quote above, Lou Mitchell wrote, ...Instead of postponing happiness until the perfect moment, find joy amid the chaos. Learn to adapt, grow, and find beauty even in the stormiest times. This mindset shift can transform how we experience life, allowing us to thrive regardless of circumstances.  

And there's my point this wonderful-to-be-alive Sunday morning. They say that with age comes wisdom. In all honesty, I don't think it's wisdom so much as the ever-growing list of experiences, the people we meet, and the shifting priorities in our lives. I've learned that I could never stay positive by myself - it really does "take a village."

For me, that village is Sheila, two pups, and a very small group of very special friends.  It's about appreciating every day, and those intense walks down Memory Lane. I've learned to savor my past, and so many people who came into my life along parts of my journey I never anticipated. And looking forward to the future, I cherish each morning with the enthusiasm of a little kid wondering what the day ahead is going to bring.

It's hard not to get sappy this morning, because even with the highs and lows, I love my life. It's not the life I imagined I'd have, and I hate being estranged from my family, but that doesn't take away from how lucky and blessed I feel for everything I have.  Each of us has a different story to share, and nobody got here today following the same path as anybody else. Yet here I am, happy, content, and so grateful for how many of you have played a role.

Wishing everybody a day ahead that's filled with peace and positivity. In a world that's upside down, each of us can only work on our little piece of it. Go for those eleven-second therapeutic hugs I always write about, and with your "huggee," think about how important they are in your life. What would your life be like without them? Better yet, how can life get even better with them in it?

Happy Sunday...or Monday on the other side of the world.