There are only two days of the year that nothing can be done.
One is called yesterday and the other is called tomorrow,
so today is the right day to love, believe, do and mostly live.
Dalai Lama

by Skip Cohen

I had absolutely nothing on my mind for today's Sunday Morning Reflections except to rant about gas prices and laugh as I thought back to the gas shortage in the 70s. The lines were so long at the pumps that a guy I worked with stopped to gas up one morning, and after waiting for twenty minutes in line, somebody came by and put a flag on his car - he was in line for a funeral procession, not the gas station down the street!

So, thinking about that, I went off in search of quotes about deja-vu and stumbled on the Dalai Lama quote above. It says it all and perfectly fits my wish for all of you today.

Don't waste time worrying about tomorrow morning, and there's nothing you can do about whatever mistakes you made yesterday. Instead, take the time to love and just live today. Go for those eleven-second hugs with the people you love the most, believe in yourself, and don't let anybody trample on your dreams.

Happy Sunday...or Monday if you're on the other side of the world, and thanks for hanging out with me this morning.

Just because your voice reaches halfway around the world,
​doesn't mean you are wiser than when it reached only to the end of the bar.
Edward R. Murrow

by Skip Cohen
 
Typical of Sunday mornings, I'm off the topics of business and marketing but not stepping away entirely from imaging. Today's Reflections, like the description of a good bourbon with "hints of toasted wood," there are hints of a rant as I think about the power of the Internet and how many people we all know who abuse their ability to communicate.

The Russians perpetually spread misinformation across the Internet, but what about your neighbor down the street? I'm so tired of seeing inaccurate statements that become gospel because somebody heard it through the grapevine.

The rumor mill was bad enough long before the Internet, but technology has given a whole bunch of really stupid people the ability to become authorities on virtually every topic. Moreover, true to Edward R. Murrow's quote above, they reach all around the world!

In the old days, the grapevine was the vehicle for spreading rumors and misinformation. But the Internet gives even the dumbest kid on the block a level of reach that twenty years ago was reserved for small newspapers and magazines.

So, how about this for a suggestion - let's start neutralizing the world's know-it-alls. Let's challenge their sources, and when we hear something that doesn't make sense, how about questioning its validity. Then, the next time you want to share something on social media, make sure you're being accurate - the best way to shut off rumors is not to start them!

It's not just the Internet - we're plagued with politicians and the media who have made careers out of sharing lousy information. This is why Sheila and I rarely watch the news - we have a few resources we've grown to trust, but that's it. Furthermore, before going to bed at night, we always try and watch something upbeat, funny, and light. It sure helps to go to sleep with a non-threatening foundation for dreaming.

Just to keep it light - since you can find anything on YouTube - how about this flashback to the 80s...at least the humor here, with raisins singing about the grapevine, makes sense!

Wishing everybody a day ahead when whatever you hear on the Internet is true and hopefully enriches your life. Take the time to appreciate everything in your life and especially those people closest to you who you trust the most. As always, go for those eleven-second therapeutic hugs and remember, if you're having a tough day, it's only a bad day, not a bad life!

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

​by Skip Cohen

*Apologies for using Jodi Picoult's quote again in a post - but there really isn't one better when it comes to looking at old photographs.

It's a not-so-typical Sunday morning, only because it's Mother's Day, and to put it quite simply, I miss my Mom. The shot above is from a series Bambi Cantrell captured after spending a day with my folks in 2008. It's one of my favorites, taken a couple of years before Alzheimer's came full force into our lives. 

But my point isn't to talk about missing Mom, but all the times she and my dad come into my thought stream virtually every day, not just on Mother's Day. There isn't a day that something doesn't remind me of my folks. Most of these moments are stellar memories that bring a smile to my face, even a quiet whispered, "Miss ya!" 

My Mom and I weren't always close, but moving to Florida was one of the best things I ever did. It gave me quality time with my parents, and even with Alzheimer's, Mom's core personality never changed. Plus, Sheila got a chance to know my mother. My mother loved her, even though her timing was off just a little - she was convinced that she and Sheila did a lot of volunteer work when they were younger. It didn't matter; the room would light up when she and Sheila were together.

Alzheimer's is a horrible disease. An emotional burglar sneaks into your house and robs you of a loved one right before your eyes. But even broken-hearted, we made the best of it. We'd learn to look for those isolated lucid moments where the "sun came out from behind the clouds." As Dad used to say, "I'm going to squeeze every drop of joy I can get out of every minute we're together." And he did just that!

Here's my point - I miss my mother every day. She passed away just weeks before she wouldn't have known who we were. It's bitter-sweet, bitter obviously in losing her, but sweet in that I know she's at peace and hanging out with Dad now.

Minutes before Mom passed away; Dad whispered in her ear, "What an incredible run we had!" They were married just short of 63 years!

So, to all of you who are moms, Happy Mother's Day. And to everyone who still has their mother around, don't waste a second. Cherish your time together, and as photographers, set up a camera and shoot a little video. Plop Mom down in front of the camera and ask her to tell you a few backstories: how she met your father, places she grew up, favorite memories - anything you can watch and smile about years from now. 

Learn from my mistakes - One of my very few regrets is not doing that with Mom and Dad myself. I'd love to be listening to those stories right now.

Wishing everybody a terrific day ahead and time to appreciate your mothers. Make it a day where you create new memories - the kind that will make you smile years from now. And this is definitely a day for those long eleven-second hugs.

Happy Sunday, Mother's Day, or Monday, if you're on the other side of the world!

It's not about forcing happiness. It's about not letting the sadness win.
Anonymous

by Skip Cohen

Over the years, we've all heard a few of blog posts' fundamental "rules." At the top of the list is always, don't get too personal. If I'm truly going with the consistency I've tried to stay with when writing Sunday Morning Reflections, then it's a morning of getting personal.

Ever wake up sad? You can't pinpoint why there's a knot in your stomach, but things just don't seem right. This morning I woke up feeling sad. If I was still a kid and my Grandma Sarah was still alive, she'd tell me I woke up on the wrong side of the bed. She'd then hug me and let me babble for a minute. She'd listen, then, at some point, there'd be a smile back on my face.  

I sat down at my computer to write two hours ago and couldn't get it together. The harder I tried, the less progress I made. Sheila filled in for my grandmother, listening to me try and find the source of my sadness. Finally, I gave up, and we decided to have breakfast.

In the process of making French toast, it all came to me. The sadness was a combination of a sugar low, not enough sleep, and a small list of challenges, of which the big one was missing my Dad. My Dad was my best buddy, and I miss him regularly, but more important than missing Dad was not counting my blessings for everything in my life.

I got so caught up with feeling something was wrong that I missed appreciating what was right. That led to a great conversation with Sheila about Dad, aging, the pups, and as usual, over breakfast, the topic of what to do for dinner tonight.

You can complain because roses have thorns,
or you can rejoice because thorns have roses.
Zig Ziglar

And there's my point, hardly earth-shaking, but feeling down sometimes isn't a liability. For me, it's the way my heart likes to let me know it's time to refocus on all the good things in my life instead of the dents and bruises!

Wishing everybody an incredible day ahead and time to appreciate everything and everyone who's a part of your life. And unlike my initial attitude this morning of feeling the need to identify what had me feeling down, take the time to look around you and simply count your blessings!
​
Happy Sunday...or Monday if you're on the other side of the world.

A certain darkness is needed to see the stars!
Unknown Author

by Skip Cohen

It's Sunday and if you've followed me for even the shortest time, then you know today is when I step entirely away from business and marketing. Writing is therapeutic, and many years ago, Sunday mornings became my day to just go with whatever was in my heart.

I'm not sure why this morning, but I'm thinking a lot about how much we've all gone through over the last couple of years - before words like hunkered down, mandatory masks, and pandemic became a part of our regular vocabulary. Then, while looking for quotes that might help me express myself, I ran across the one above. And that took me right to one of my most favorite photographs, by my good buddy Bob Coates.

It's a remarkable shot, but then so is Bob. We've been good friends for many years, and if you know him, then you know he never does anything halfway! But this isn't about the shot, but the fact that without darkness, the image wouldn't exist.

Going back to that simple quote I started this with, I've learned that everything always works out for the better. I'm not suggesting you should just accept everything that goes wrong in life; just look at it differently. For example, the pandemic has been horrible, and we've all had to adapt to changes in lifestyle, the heartbreak of losing friends, etc. But out of the chaos and pain came a renewed sense of family, the likes of which haven't been seen since the 50s.

Now, take a step back and think about some of the most brutal storms you've had to get through in your life. I know it's trite and even hokey - but think about it - you're stronger now because of them. They helped you grow. 

There are a thousand quotes we've all heard over the years...It's darkest before the dawn...Without change, there'd be no butterflies...Every cloud has a silver lining...Calm waters don't make skilled sailors...and the list goes on and on. They're all saying the same thing.

It's funny how I started writing this and thinking what I was about to share was so earth-shaking, but reading it over, it's hardly brilliant. But maybe that's what more of us need these days - the simplicity of just accepting the paths we've chosen. It's okay to look back now and then, but not with regrets, only pride at moving forward.

Sheila's got a great line I grew to love years ago. Whenever I'd say, "You know what I should have done?" Her response was always the same, "Don't should on yourself!"

Wishing everybody a day ahead where you just keep looking forward. Make it a day when you appreciate the incredible world you've created - not the big one, just the one that's yours and includes the people who have touched your life the most and whose lives you're a part of. Go for those eleven-second hugs with those people most important to you.

And to my good buddy Bob, who right about now is just waking up to the sunrise in Sedona...thanks, buddy. I sure do appreciate our friendship.
 
Happy Sunday, everybody...or Monday if you're on the other side of the world!

Image copyright Bob Coates. All rights reserved.

by Skip Cohen
  
I'm staying with my usual Sunday Morning Reflections theme of running amuck from business and marketing and going with whatever's on my mind. Lately, as more of my friends retire, I've been thinking a lot about aging. I have yet to figure out why people refer to these as our "Golden Years," especially when everything starts to go like a car just out of warranty. LOL

We live in Sarasota County, which I've been told has the highest average age per capita of any county in the United States. And while that explains so many people driving around at 11mph with their left turn signal on, I don't really feel any older than I did twenty years ago. My body creaks for ten minutes in the morning, but according to Sheila, I have yet to mature!

But here's one thing I have noticed - as I've gotten older, I've become more aware of the importance of simply living life with a smile, not just on my face but in my heart. Life is simply too short and not worth losing time to those hockey pucks out there who would like nothing more than to create stress. Maybe that explains 80 yr olds driving at 11 mph - they know they'll get there, so they're savoring each mile of the drive!

Speaking at Skip's Summer School many years ago, my good buddy Scott Bourne reminded everybody to capture images as if each one was the last photograph anybody was going to see of your work. Well, at least for me, that's where the true quality of aging comes into the picture. As we get older, we get smarter and learn to pick our battles while appreciating each moment along the way.

And here's my point - I'm still a work in progress, but I'm learning to stop worrying about where I'm going and appreciate each moment. We could make the world even better if more of us just enjoyed each other, accepted our differences, and stopped sweating all the small stuff.

Wishing all of you a wonderful day ahead, and whether you're celebrating Easter, Passover, or any other holiday, what an incredible time to be who we are, where we are and how we are. So go for those eleven-second hugs with those people most special to you - they're the ones who appreciate the "dance" and don't care where you're headed as long as they can come along for the ride.

by Skip Cohen

It's Sunday morning, and while I'm usually off-topic from the business and marketing of photography, I'm very much focused on the past week's events. So while I'm going to share the link to Platypod's Kickstarter campaign and even the video - that's not what I want to write about. My focus isn't on the company, the product, or the launch - but on the friendships and support that made it all possible.

Nobody, except those who have actually done it, understand the number of people and the detail it takes for a successful campaign like this. It takes months of preparation, hundreds of suggestions, and tweaks to create a presentation, not to mention all the BTS detail it takes to make a new product in the first place. 

But all along the way, the two common denominators in EVERYTHING are friendship and trust. From the vision that Larry T. had in starting the company over six years ago, to the design, engineering, and manufacturing of the product to testing and presenting, it's an incredible journey.

There have been dozens of people involved who made last Wednesday, April 6 possible, when Larry T, Lizzy Gadd, and Kris Andres appeared on The Grid with Scott Kelby. As I sat at the KelbyOne guest table in the studio, I couldn't help but be proud to be a part of the team.

And there's my point this morning - just plain old pride at being in an industry I love and being blessed to be working with so many talented people. And while I finished the week exhausted after the birth of our new baby, I couldn't be more proud.

After a lifetime in this industry, I'm always amazed when my "been there done that" gene is challenged by the joy of another new project, new photographers to work with, and an application that challenges everything I've learned over the years.

And if you're ever thinking about launching your own crowd-funding campaign, pay attention to the elements on the Kickstarter page and the video below. There's a very special way to tell the story, and it takes more than just your eyes and heart - you need the trust of other people who understand your vision and have the skills to make it a reality!

Wishing everybody a fantastic day ahead! Take the time to appreciate those people in your life who you've trusted with your dreams. That trust is the mortar that holds all the bricks together and helps you each day to grow as a human being and artist. I'm also sending a BIG thanks to everyone who helped make this week's launch a success and, on a personal level, have helped me grow. To paraphrase the Beatles who said it years ago; we really do get by with a lot of help from our friends.

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

by Skip Cohen

Sunday Morning Reflections are all about me running amuck on topics other than business and marketing in imaging. I often wake up with an idea in my head and start typing. But this morning, I had too much on my mind, and unlike the gear we all use, selective focus wasn't working!

I went to Facebook and just started scrolling on the notification page. Looking for inspiration, I found posts by Wes Simpson, Tony Corbell, Glen Clark, Pepper Nix, Erik Cooper, Jim Garner, Carly Sullens, Michael Anthony, Melisa Albert, Deja Webster, Brent Watkins, and both Joe and Sheila Elario. The more I scrolled, the more friends I ran into.

Nothing compares with a great convention where you literally bump into old and new friends, but scrolling through Facebook just brought an outrageously stupid Alfred E. Neuman smile to my face. It was like playing the Kevin Bacon degrees of separation game. I was the link, or more appropriately, Facebook was.

And here's my point, while the outside world often thinks of our industry as massive, with millions of professional artists and photographers, the truth is it's relatively small. Even more relevant is that we're all connected in our love for the craft. Sure, there are a few hockey pucks among us, but if we weren't just a little dysfunctional, we wouldn't be a family!

So, on those days when you might feel a little disconnected, take a scroll through cyberspace, and whether Facebook or Instagram or just your favorite manufacturer's blog posts, check out what everyone is working on. I guarantee ten minutes of scrolling through images; you'll feel inspired and, if nothing else, just smile about the career you chose.

I've spent my entire adult life in this industry, and at a time when most people my age have retired, I'm just not ready to slow down. I love it too much - and there are still so many of you to meet and get to know. 

Wishing everybody a day ahead with time to appreciate your friends in the industry. Things are slowly returning to normal, and with normalcy comes more contact and time to cherish the role we play in each other's lives. Go for those eleven-second hugs, with or without a mask - appreciate your bond with whoever's on the other end of that hug.
​
Happy Sunday...or Monday on the other side of the world!

by Skip Cohen

​What I love most about writing this Sunday morning series is the complete lack of predictability about whatever's on my mind to write about. As I've talked about before, doing a brain dump is therapeutic. So today's more of a confession as I attempt to share the not-so-major events of the last week.

Two weeks ago, I wrote about the importance of knowing when to "unplug." I'm a work in progress, and understanding when I need to shut off the business side of my brain is still a skill set I'm lacking. I love this industry and love what I do for a living. But, between my computer, my phone, and having a home office, it's so hard to shut things down and just relax with Sheila, the pups, and friends.

So, I unplugged, and we headed up to St. Augustine, FL. So, what did I learn? First, never go to a tourist destination during both "season" and spring break. It was a madhouse. Traffic was incredible, whether it was in the car or on foot. But here's a better thing to have learned - Sheila and I had a blast. We acted like tourists and just spent time together - no phone calls, no computer, no business.

Unplugging was tough, but plugging back in has been almost impossible. The last week was one of the busiest I can remember. Between phone calls, emails, and various projects, trying to write a blog post has been impossible. It's been a balancing act with posting finishing in last place. The week reminded me of an old video of Lucille Ball.

​And there's my point - we can only do as much as we can do. Simplistic? Yes, but there's a point we all reach in life where we realize there are only so many hats we can wear at one time. For me, it's a reminder of the importance of prioritizing, which I did. But the challenge is doing it without guilt and letting go of that monkey on your back.

What's funny about being preoccupied with the various challenges in business is that we often forget all the things we've accomplished. Instead, we become obsessed with what we didn't do and miss everything we did get done.

I'm back to better than normal. I'm learning to go cold turkey and unplug when I need to, and then, even harder, plug back in and stay focused. It accomplishes nothing to keep looking in the rearview mirror at the turn in the road you missed. But it does make sense when it's important to find another route or make the u-turn and go back. No regrets, just another lesson learned, and something to laugh about later.

Wishing everybody a day ahead with no regrets and time with family and friends who are most important to you. Never lose sight of those things that simply make your heart soar. If there's a monkey on your back, feed him a banana and disappear while he's chowing down.

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

by Skip Cohen

It's Sunday morning, and I'm running amuck...LOL. Reflections is almost always miles away from marketing and business, and while there's a slight connection this morning, this is about how we all got to be who we are today. 

For years, I've been using Alfred Lord Tennyson's quote above, most recently at a close friend's funeral. Everyone who touches our life becomes a part of us. Of course, some people have a more significant impact than others, but I've been reading a book about why we do things the way we do. While many things go back to childhood, all along the way, we connect with other people. Friends, foes, everybody who crosses our path becomes an influence in developing who we are.

The most obvious is your style of shooting as a photographer. You've been influenced by other work you've seen and artists who you've met, online workshops, or heard speak at a convention. While you've developed your own style, along the way, there are elements you've picked up that have contributed to your signature.
 
Now, think about who you are today. Think about things you like, hate, feelings that you have when doing something different...the list goes on and on. In every case, you'll find you can trace it back to something or someone in your past.

There's an expression in psychology, "Hysterical is historical," which means things that upset you can be traced back to something in your past. I'm not here to play amateur shrink, but it is interesting when you start thinking about how you approach the challenges in business today.

Think of everybody you've ever met, and everything you've ever done as another piece of the puzzle - put them all together, and there you are. For example, when my good friend Frank passed away recently, I spoke at his memorial service and quoted Tennyson. Frank had become the older brother I never had and frequently spending time with him over the last few years, I admired his style and how much I was able to learn just by knowing him.

Wishing everybody a terrific day ahead. Take the time and think about the people in your life going back to when you were a kid. You'll find you can connect so many of the dots that make you who you are today. As always, go for those eleven-second therapeutic hugs with the people who mean most to you.

And thanks for being a part of my Sunday morning "aha" moment as I analyze my own journey.

​Happy Sunday!

by Skip Cohen
 
It's Sunday, and as always, I'm off track from business and marketing, but not from a lesson I can't seem to learn as well as many of my friends have. Supposedly with age comes wisdom, but when it comes to learning when to step away from the business and take a break, I'm still a work in progress.

This is a very short post this morning because I'm unplugging for a few days - not because I'm overburdened with any projects or aspect of business I can't handle, but simply because I want to take a break. Yesterday was Sheila's birthday, and we're headed out for a few days. We've got great puppy coverage thanks to our daughter-in-law and nothing to worry about. No schedule to keep and time just to enjoy each other.

And there's my point - learn to recognize when you should unplug before you really need to. It's a lesson I've NEVER mastered. I once said to somebody with pride, "It's been over a year since I took a real vacation!" As if working hard and consistently deserved an award. An hour later, I was embarrassed to have even suggested it was merit-worthy!

So, those eleven-second hugs I always write about? They need to run for days at a time with that one person or people who are the most special in your life. You need time to step away from the business for them and yourself. You need to either step outside your usual environment or pull up the drawbridge and not let anything into your world that takes away your peace.

We're packed - I'm taking a camera and a Platypod - my computer is being left at home, and the car is gassed up. See you Wednesday!

Wishing everybody a great day ahead and the start of a terrific week. The world is a long way from normal, but hopefully, that little piece of it that's yours is giving you time with the people you love the most!

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

by Skip Cohen
 
It's Sunday morning, and I'm miles away from topics like marketing and business, but that's what Sunday Morning Reflections are all about. Over the years, I've done my best not to let the News into the blog. But, like most of you, I've been watching the horror story unfolding in Ukraine, and I've found myself often thinking about a "what-if" scenario here in the U.S.

The destruction, madness, pain and sadness all hit home for me, but it was the interviews the news media shared that got to me the most. It's the stories of displaced mothers and children as "Dad" goes off to fight a war that dominates my thoughts.

And while Ukraine has always seemed so far away and on the other side of the world, one of my best friends, Don Komarechka, moved to Bulgaria last year. On his Facebook page, he wrote:

I Stand with Ukraine

I have been silent on much of social media due to big projects, but I must break the silence for this post. What is happening in Ukraine at the moment deserves the attention of every person on the planet, and more than that, action. The war crimes being committed by Putin's Russia are not only traumatizing the entire Ukrainian population, they are designed to evoke terror. With the actions over the past week, Russia has become a Terrorist State, the most powerful such entity in the world.

He went on to write...

I now live in Eastern Europe. The other day we went for a walk on the beach. I stared out across the Black Sea, knowing what conflicts were unfolding on the other side. This is not a defense of Ukraine, but a fight against a tyrannical autocracy. Ask the citizens of Georgia, Syria, Chechnya, Moldova, Ukraine and other nearby nations. This must stop, as it is spreading.

Don's shared his perspective much better and in more detail than I ever could...here's the link to his FB page, and it's worth reading everything he wrote.  

But the situation in Ukraine also took me to toughts about my Dad's generation and the attack on Pearl Harbor. Before my Dad passed away, I took him on Honor Flight to D.C. I've shared a number of posts in the past about the event.​

​That quote above never hit me quite as hard as it does today. We're here in the US, wrapped in challenges far less life-threatening than an outright direct attack on our country. Nevertheless, we live in a global economy with friends all over the world, and this is a fight for all of us.

My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone in Ukraine, but along with it goes an unstoppable appreciation for my Dad, our son, friends who have served, and all our veterans focused on the freedom we appreciate today...and too often take for granted.

Wishing everyone a great day ahead. When you go for one of those eleven-second therapeutic hugs with people you care the most about - think of how important they are in your life. Cherish their love and friendship.

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

by Skip Cohen

​I didn't really get into the Olympics until just a couple of nights ago. I have my favorite sports to follow. Living in Florida for the last ten years, any true winter sport involving lots of snow is a kick to watch. However, the real inspiration for me comes from the backstories about the athletes. 

It's the way they refuse to let go of their dreams. They may be broken-hearted or physically broken, but it's their commitment of heart and soul that keeps them focused. It's the challenge they put on themselves to beat their own records, followed by passing the competition and then setting new world records. They don't take their eyes off the prize.

​So I went looking for a couple of great quotes:

"I'm a poor kid from the streets. What I've been able to achieve has really just been through hard work
and not letting anyone tell me that I couldn't do something.
I always try to encourage people to just pursue your dreams."
Dave Bautista

"Believe you can and you're halfway there!"
Theodore Roosevelt

​Here's my point this morning. We may not be Olympic athletes, but our quest for happiness and success is just as driven. Over the last couple of years, the pressure has been spirit-crushing, but it hasn't put us out of the game. So while nothing is the same anymore, and paradigms have shifted - there are so many new unique opportunities for NEW dreams and a change in direction.

Wishing everybody a Sunday filled with time to simply appreciate your dreams. Take the time to think about the week ahead and what component of your dreams is next to fall into place. And while I know it all sounds trite and I've minimalized the degree of difficulty - that doesn't change the fact that anything is possible. It all starts with your mindset!

by Skip Cohen

​Sunday morning posts are always a free-for-all. Rarely do I know what I want to write about when I sit down at my computer. This morning I was at a complete loss but as I wandered through Facebook posts, two friends providing a little inspiration, Nick Vedros came up first and seconds later Wesley Simpson.

Nick shared the picture of Zorro above and wrote:

Then, my buddy Wesley shared the Matthew McConaughey quote above with his new headshot.

Here's what I love about writing today's post...

Nick and I have been friends for thirty years, going back to my Hasselblad days. We've traveled together, done workshops together through Hasselblad University in the 90s, and shared plenty of laughs over lunches and dinners. 

Wesley and I, on the other hand, have never met. He lives in the UK, but we've emailed back and forth, talked a lot through IMs. It's thanks to Facebook we know each other. I've shared several of his images in blog posts over the years, and we keep promising to grab dinner in a pub in the UK or the US, whichever country resolves the issues with the pandemic first.

Now, the common denominator between Nick, Wesley, and for that matter, me, is how much we love this industry. How much we love what we do, and not one of us can imagine doing anything else for a career. Well, maybe Nick wishes he'd stuck to the Zorro theme longer. At the very least he could have filled in for the Hamburglar, but that doesn't change his love for the craft. 

There's a great quote I've used many times over the years when talking about those special people in our lives. It's by Alfred Lord Tennyson, "I am a part of all that I have met!" That one sentence describes how great friends like Nick and Wesley have contributed to the smile on my face every day. The two of them and many of you are responsible for who I am today, how much I love the craft, and what makes me, quite simply, love what I do.

This morning's post is a mini-tribute to our friendships and, yes, even Facebook. We all have a love-hate relationship with FB, but it does keep us together. It's made the world a smaller place and keeping in touch during the most challenging, most limited time of freedom in contemporary history.

Wishing everybody a day of peace, plenty of smiles, and time to appreciate everyone who's contributed to making you who you are. Together they've helped you become entirely unique and one of a kind!

Today you are you, that is truer than true.
There is no one alive who is youer than you!
Dr. Seuss

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

by Skip Cohen

​As always, I'm off the topics of business and marketing on a Sunday morning. But, if you've followed me for long enough, then you know it's something I simply need to do. It's therapeutic to share thoughts on something other than the business we're all in.

So, I'm not sure why, but this morning I'm a little obsessed with the joy of aging...I'm technically now in my "Golden Years," although for the life of me, I can't figure out why or who suggested they were "Golden." For Sheila and me, we've chosen to embrace the humor of it all.

Obviously, we're not alone, because I caught a t-shirt online the other day that said,

​But let's take it one step further and into our house as we get older...
​

• Sheila said something to me while we were in the kitchen, like "Too much pepper I'm going to sneeze," and I opened the fridge, pulled out the cheese drawer, and said, "Which one do you want?"  
• Through the pandemic, I think we've watched everything Netflix offers. But now and then, we'll be halfway through a movie and realize we saw it already.
• Then there are evenings when "Alexa" saves our sanity as we're trying to remember the name of the actor we liked in a particular movie and can't for the life of us get their name.

I know we're not alone on that one because "The Book of Awesome," as an awesome life experience, wrote:

by Skip Cohen

After being mostly hunkered down for almost two years, I shouldn't be surprised at how good I'm feeling after being with old friends and new ones this past week at IUSA. While I've written a lot about the importance of recharging your battery by attending workshops and conventions, I've never been so aware of how badly 6500 other people needed it as well.

But this morning's Reflections post isn't about the industry as much as it is about the role photographs play in helping us savor great memories. On Facebook, a day or so after the convention, my good buddy Tony Corbell posted the picture on the right. It's of him receiving the Gerhardt Baaker award from Ralph Romaguera at PPA's awards program the other night. Well, that took me down Memory Lane, remembering when our mutual good buddy, Don Blair received the award twenty years ago.

From that point on, I was hooked - and went off to old photographs of my own, blog posts, and a whirlwind tour jam-packed with smiles from past IUSA and WPPI conventions. Then the stories started coming out for Sheila, as I became a one-man stand-up comic with one story after another about friends from past conventions.

For example, bumping into Tony and Ralph Romaguera the other night, Ralph reminded me of how we all went to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame together while on the road with Hasselblad University in the 90s. A year later, he cornered me to show me that he was still wearing his Rock and Roll entry bracelet. (It's like a hospital ID bracelet, and he'd taped it back up to convince me he never took off - and it almost worked!) And, if you know Tony, you know he's the ultimate Beatles fan, and the Beatles exhibit on that trip was closed for renovation. So I had to literally whine and beg security to let Tony in by himself with a solemn promise he wouldn't touch anything. 

Here's my point this morning - those special looks in the rearview mirror now and then are priceless. And while we all have memories to look back on, it's time to create new ones. The road back to normalcy is paved with those priceless moments we all need to start sharing again. Things will never be the same, but we all share a new appreciation for family, friends, and freedom. It's that love for the craft we all share, and what a kick to start the journey back.

Wishing everybody a day filled with appreciation for family, old friends, and new ones. Most importantly, don't waste time being frustrated over today's challenges. Instead, focus on what's most important in your life, and then savor each new moment.

Life is simply too short!

​by Skip Cohen

It's anything but a typical Sunday morning, but the last Sunday morning of 2021. And, despite my never-ending optimism every day, it's been the toughest year I can remember. From in and out and back in with the pandemic, to a long list of personal challenges, it was simply a tough year. At the same time, there's a new one right around the corner.

The hardest part of today's post was wandering through Adobe Stock to find an image representing what I'm feeling. I chose an old hourglass because I feel like I'm watching so many different things come to an end, and while most of them I'm happy will soon be in my rearview mirror, there's still a certain sadness for what might be left behind.

So, as my last Sunday Morning Reflections post for the year, there are no words to describe how much I appreciate all your support. I'm looking forward to an amazing 2022, and while it'll have plenty of challenges, there's so much that we're in together. And we're all really part of something much bigger, as this message from The Story People reminded me. 

​Wishing everyone a terrific day ahead and time this week to kick back a little, appreciate the journey over the last year, but most important of all, look ahead at the new year. Always go for those eleven-second hugs with the people most important to you. They're the ones who are always there when you need them most.

​Happy Sunday!

by Skip Cohen

It's Sunday morning, and as always, I'm nowhere close to talking about marketing and business. We're coming down to the wire for a year that's been overflowing with stress, politics, misinformation and the list goes on and on. But despite it all, what I love most about this time of year is simply "tradition." Even something as simple as an apple cider scented candle burning in the house makes me smile. 

For me, after the insanity of the last year, combined with now being on the edge of another round of Covid issues, I'm hanging on to the pure joy of the season like a life raft! I love this time of year, and it doesn't matter what holidays you celebrate - there's plenty of optimism out there if you let it into your heart.

Okay, so it's sappy, hokey and there are those of you already rolling your eyes over the direction I'm going in, but the only way we're going to get through the garbage that keeps getting dumped on our doorsteps is a positive attitude, combined with some practical action.

I shared a Sunday Morning Reflections post featuring my good buddy, Robert Vanelli, back in October. The issue was the requirement to wear a mask at an establishment he needed to visit and not having one. So, he went and bought one next door at Walgreens - no big deal.

We all have choices, it's how we choose to react to our choice that makes a huge difference.
"Vanelli"

Here's my point - I love this time of year because nothing gets in the way of my holiday spirit. But I want that spirit to go deeper than just the December holidays. So I'm working on letting it carry right into the new year and beyond.

It's all about self-fulfilling prophecies - which are simply "if you define a situation as hopeless, then it will be." Well, it works for the positive too - if we all concentrate on everything good in our lives and do whatever we need to do to work together. Then we can change the world - well, at least our little corner of it.

Wishing all of you an incredible day ahead and the joy of the season - only let's make the season last. Savor those memories from the past and blend them in with family and friends today. Always go for those eleven-second therapeutic hugs with those people most important in your life.

​Happy Holidays!

​by Skip Cohen

Well, it's a typical Sunday morning; the house is filled with music, the pups are coming in and out of my office, Sheila's in her home office, and I'm chasing ideas for a blog post. I love Sunday posts because you've allowed me to run with whatever's on my mind.

I woke up and found myself lying in bed, feeling very reflective about my life. I keep looking at how I got here - not just my career, but living in Florida, living with a wonderful partner, two knucklehead pups, and a pretty remarkable life. Of course, it's not without stress, challenges, the horrible communications with your partner that every couple experiences now and then - but it's a great life.

What amazes me is how I forget those times when things seemed hopeless and how everything worked out for the better. It's that old line about as one door closes, another opens. That's been the story of my life and my career. So many times when things seemed the bleakest, even standing in the unemployment line after the Internet collapsed in 2001 - another door opened.

The past almost two years have been tough for everybody, yet somehow so many of you have grown as artists, business owners, and simply members of your community. 

So, here's my bottom line - if whatever you're doing right now seems like an uphill climb and at times almost hopeless - don't lose sight of your ability to find another "door" to walk through. Don't lose sight of your skillset and passion for the craft. And especially don't forget one of my favorite Dr. Seuss quotes:

​And for those of you stuck in looking back at the good old days - it's great to look back, but we can't go back! So, if you're like me, missing good friends, HATING Zoom, tired of Facetime and Skype, and just wanting to be together with other members of this industry that I love dearly, there's a new year, right around the corner, and it's destined to be amazing! 

Stop looking in your rearview mirror and just focus on what's coming up, and to hit Dr. Seuss one more time:

​Wishing everybody a day with time to be a little reflective. Don't waste too much time analyzing your journey; just appreciate the people who came into your life because of it. Take the time to smile about all the good times and trust more of them are around the corner. Go for those eleven-second therapeutic hugs I always write about with the people most important in your life - because they're the ones next to you your next chapter!

Happy Sunday - make it the best one yet!

by Skip Cohen

I always like to get away from writing about marketing and business on Sunday mornings, and today is no exception. I've shared thoughts from Melody Beattie several times in the past and her thought from yesterday is perfect for this morning.

How long has it been since you played? How long has it been since you played at your life, had fun with it?

Our imaginations are so delightful when we're young. Watch a child sit in the middle of the floor and build castles with blocks. Watch a child play--any object can be anything, and anything can be fun. Life can pound that out of us if we let it.

Breath life back into your imagination. Come back to life. Let yourself see dragons in clouds and leprechauns in trees and velvet in a rose. Imagine what it would be like to grab a handful of cloud. Then touch the tree. And put the rose to your cheek.

Let your imagination come alive. Play the game of "What If?" What ​if anything could be anything? What if life could be fun?

This morning I woke up thinking about the day ahead and decided to kick back and pretty much not worry about anything...just have fun. "Fun" is one of those words too often lost in business today. It's still there, but for most of you, it's buried under the stress of seasonality, Covid, health, money - you name it, and it's probably blocking your route to fun!

So, I'm not suggesting you be irresponsible and abandon your focus on life, just take the time to focus on something fun - something that makes you smile.

I took a camera with me this morning when we took the pups out. The shots I got will never win any awards, but trying to get Belle and Lucy to sit still for a few clicks of the shutter made me laugh. And the smile these two bring into our hearts every day keeps an aspect of fun in our lives, like the favorite seasoning a fine chef adds to a special dish.

Take the time today and have fun! Make it a day to abandon the stress in your life and stop worrying about tomorrow until tomorrow gets here! Instead, laugh, spend time with friends and your family and take the time to think about no matter how tough life can be; we've all got something to feel blessed about.

Wishing everybody a day that's jam-packed with fun, laughs, and whatever it takes to make your heart soar. Go for those eleven-second therapeutic hugs with the people and pets most important in your life. Life is too short to do things you don't love doing.

Happy Sunday...or Monday if you've joined me from the other side of the world.