by Skip Cohen

Remember, it's Sunday and Reflections I rarely write about business and marketing. It's sharing whatever is on my mind, and today it's appreciation for the pups in our life!

As I sat down to write this morning, I noticed Lucy over on the love seat in my office. In her usual spot, she was comfortably curled up and content to wait for me to finish my Sunday morning routine. She looked at me for a second, knowing full well that she'd hooked me into coming over for a conversation and to scratch her ears.

​What is it about the way our pups understand us? What is it about their ability to love unconditionally, always knowing when we need a hug?

Some time along life's journey, Sheila and I became a dog family. I'd never had two dogs before, and when we lost Molly the Wonder Dog, I doubted whether or not pups would ever be a part of my life again. Nine months later, Sheila said we should get two dogs, one for each of us. Here we are celebrating six years since Lucy and Belle came into our family...no, they BECAME our family.

Our day starts the same every morning - up at 6:45 am and getting the pups out. Then they get brushed and we do the "Kibble Train." It's something Sheila started, and it makes us laugh every day. The pups are on top of the washer and dryer, and Sheila takes a big handful of kibble and makes a line across in front of them. They sit patiently waiting for the line to be constructed. On the word "Okay," they start in on their own section of kibble with all the focus of Al Pacino doing a line of cocaine in Scarface. Tails wagging and us laughing is the kickoff to every new day.

I've written a lot about dogs over the years, but I continue to be fascinated by their intuition and ability to sense whenever either of us needs a hug. If we're not feeling well, they're there to check on us. If we're frustrated or sad, again, they're by our side. And nothing tops the chart of smile-making moments like asking if they want to go for a ride. Just hearing the word "ride" sends them running to the back door. And God forbid they should hear the word "cookie," and they're instantly waiting by the cabinet where their snacks are kept.

Here's my point this Sunday morning - our dogs make our lives richer. They're emotional gummies filling our hearts with love, even when we're tired and running on empty. They understand us better than we know ourselves, and there's never a moment when they're not there for us.

So, we became dog people. They're with us almost all the time, and while they have their own bed, even the end of the day has its own routine when Sheila tucks them in for the night. And out of all the daily routines has come an incredible bond, making life more fun and filling us with a never-ending barrage of smiles and laughs.

Wishing everybody a day ahead that's filled with time with the people and pets you love. Those eleven-second hugs I always write about aren't exclusive to people. In fact, Lucy and Belle both know the word "hug." Sitting down with them, within seconds of saying it, they're up on their hind legs with both paws reaching for our shoulders. They may not be officially registered as emotional support dogs, but living in a world that's currently upside down, they help us forget the problems and focus on what's most important - the love in our home.

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

​"I have found that when you are deeply troubled, there are things you get from the silent devoted companionship of a dog that you can get from no other source."
Doris Day

There are only two ways to influence human behavior:
You can manipulate it or you can inspire it.
Simon Sinek

Wishing everybody a day ahead with time to appreciate the people most important in your life. Make it a day when you don't let what's happening in the world outside into your bubble. None of us can escape the daily challenges, but just as a caregiver needs respite, make today a time to take a break. Cherish the people you love the most and make those eleven-second hugs a few seconds longer - everyone needs the extra time.

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

Life is different when we discover what is deeply important to us.
Stevphen Covey

by Skip Cohen

​My second favorite blog day of the week, right after Throwback Thursday, is Sunday. Why? Because I always step away from business topics. It's my time to violate the rule that the "experts" say you should never share personal things outside what your readers might consider the norm.

I started out writing about being estranged from my family and, on checking, saw that I had written about it just a few months ago. Next, I considered Alzheimer's, then, learning to step away from trolls, and a half dozen other topics, which, upon checking, had all been covered this past year.

Great quotes always come through for me, and finding the Stephen Covey quote above, it hit me hard with how appropriate it is...right now...today! Lou Mitchell, along with the quote, wrote, "By focusing on what deeply resonates with us, we can navigate life's challenges with greater purpose and resilience."

For all of you 50 and under, as you get older, your priorities change. From how you react to the challenges of life to your drive for success, everything changes.  The things you worry about most change dramatically. For example, I have two good friends whose wives are both fighting the most extreme types of dementia, one with FTD (Frontotemporal Dementia) and the other with Alzheimer's and FTD. In both cases, I've known both couples for over thirty years. Up until a few years ago, I never spent much time worrying about my health or Sheila's. Now, I want to do everything I can to focus on our health...and I tear up after every phone call with either of the friends above.

Politics is another area that I've always ignored. After all, there was rarely anything I could do to have an impact beyond dinner conversation or an evening out with friends. That's all different now...My feelings about everything from the stupidity of the government shutdown, taxes, to social security, health benefits, housing, school lunches, fires, floods, and the homeless, just to name a few, have all made me feel differently about life.

As you get older, you discover that the things most important to you at the start of your life as an adult, start to drop down the list. Your outlook on life is constantly changing. Your priorities and appreciation for so many things you took for granted change. Time becomes your most valuable commodity, as each day the hands of the clock spin like the passing of time in an old Hollywood movie, and there's no Back-to-the-Future vehicle to let you make changes from the past.

Sheila and I live a relatively uncomplicated and simple life. We've learned to shut the door on family drama. Our commitment to each other and the pups is at the very top of the list. We do our best to exercise every day following our doctors' guidelines for good health. We get a full night's sleep, even sneaking in a 45-minute nap every day (why should kindergarten kids have all the fun? A short nap is the perfect way to recharge!) And sometimes we just kick back and talk, sharing how we feel about so many different topics.

Here's my point—I hope you can take a little while today to think about who and what are most important to you. A great life is all about having minimal regrets. Do the people most important to you know the role they play in your life? Do they know how much of your heart they occupy? Yeah, it's sappy, but that's what all of this is about - loving your life and the people in it! 

Wishing you a day ahead with plenty of time to focus on the things that make up your core values. Take the time to turn back the clock ten years and consider how much you've changed. And who were the people who have never let you down? The ones you can always count on to be there for you.

Somewhere along the line we stopped believing we could do anything.
And if we don't have our dreams, we have nothing.
Billy Bob Thornton

by Skip Cohen

Sundays are always my time to jump the tracks from topics like business and marketing. It's always been easy to find a topic that was on my mind to share outside of what I usually write about. But this morning is tough, as I find the outside world interrupting the peace and joy of the bubble I consider our home.

I find it hard to ignore my anger and frustration with politics. We all know that if you want to end the government shutdown, then hold back the salaries of the members of Congress! Seriously, whether red or blue, it would be incredible how quickly they'd figure out how to work together! 

I'll spare you my feelings on everything else, because for the most part, I'm betting most of you are on the same page, and we're all tired of the insanity. So, I'm changing directions and writing a reminder to myself as well as all of you - never let go of your dreams. As we're bombarded daily with the negativity in the world, it's more important than ever to focus our energy on our dreams.

Author, Lou Mitchell, came through today with the quote above and the following...

..."It is crucial to rekindle our aspirations and hold onto the vision of what we can achieve. Dreams give our lives meaning and direction, fueling our passions and creativity.  By nurturing our dreams, we can regain our sense of purpose and motivation, transforming our aspirations into reality."

Here's my point - no matter how frustrated we are with the world outside our control, if we let go of our dreams, they win!  It's our dreams and visions that keep us focused, motivated, and bring the energy we need to our creativity. It's not easy, but I'm slowly learning to tune out the outside world's noise and focus on what's within our control, and things important to me and Sheila.

For example, the Alzheimer's organization has asked me to be one of their representatives at a county legislature meeting next month reviewing healthcare. And on Monday, I've been asked to capture a group shot of the staff of the Senior Friendship Centers at their local retreat. This is a group of people who never stop working to make the world a better place. We can't change anything outside our control, but we can contribute, even in baby steps, to helping make our communities better.

So many of you are doing similar things with organizations in your communities that are fighting to make the world a better place, one zip code at a time. That's the thing dreams are made of, and I refuse to let the world grind us down!

Wishing everyone a day ahead with time to focus on the different aspects of your dreams.  Woodstock may have been 56 years ago, but the need for peace and love is even greater today. I know it sounds sappy, but together, all of us really can change the world...starting with our own little piece in our community. 

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

If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else.
Booker T. Washington

by Skip Cohen

As always on Sunday, I refrain from writing about business or marketing and strive to cover a topic that everyone can relate to. It's my time to share something more personal, and in the process, over the years, it's become therapeutic.

Four months ago, I wrote my first blog post for the Alzheimer's Organization's Florida newsletter. Going through this horrible disease for three generations of grandmothers, I wanted to give back to a community that was always there for us. Here's the link to the four posts as of today, and hopefully, my next installment will be coming in October.

Even though in 2025 there are an estimated 7.2 million people with Alzheimer's in the US and 55 million worldwide, when you're fighting the battle you feel so alone. So, I called the series The You're Not Alone Chronicles.

But as I sat down to write today's post, it occurred to me that feeling alone is universal to so many of our frustrations. I was thinking about the challenges and the state of the world right now. The reality is, with whatever challenges any of us face, we're only alone if we choose to be. Pick the toughest, most frustrating thing you're feeling right now, and if there isn't already a formal support group out there, you'll always find friends who can relate to what you're going through.

But here's my point - you're only alone if you choose silence. Over the years, from personal issues to business challenges, social media has become the mortar that often holds us all together. So whether you're fighting Alzheimer's personally or as a caregiver, frustrated over politics, worried about financial, health, or relationship issues, dealing with the death of your dog, or a thousand other challenges, there are people ready to come to your aid, the minute you say, "Help!"

Wishing you a day ahead that's filled with reminders of all the support you have around you. You're truly not alone in anything, unless you let pride get in the way. Those people ready to give and receive an eleven-second hug are there, but nobody's a mindreader. You have to share the love and ask for help, even if it's just for a friend to be a sounding board and get you through the storm.

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

​Go back. Go back in time. Everyone's life is a chain of memories.
In each chain there are shining links, happenings where this element of wonder...was very strong.
Why don't you reach out and relive some of those memories? If you work at it,
remembering the wonder can revive your ability to live life as it should be lived.
Arthur Gordon Webster
​

One minute you're young and fun.
And the next, you're turning down the stereo in your car to see better!
Unknown Author

by Skip Cohen

​It's Sunday and my day to share whatever's on my mind, and it's NEVER about the business and marketing of photography. Today's post is a perfect example.

Last night we went to a Bradenton Marauders game. The Marauders are a High-A Minor League Baseball affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates that plays in the Florida State League. We had an early dinner with our son and daughter-in-law, and then we headed to the game. We got home late (well, late for us), going to sleep just after 11:00 pm, and today we both feel like we ran a marathon.

And there's my point, when did we become our parents? When did aging become a challenge that we need a slug day following an evening out?

So, to further make my point, you might be a true senior if you can relate to any of the following:

• We eat dinner early, often before 5:00 pm. Why? Because we sleep better. Late dinners keep us both awake, and it's a challenge going out with younger friends for dinner. I remember catching every early bird special in Florida when visiting my grandparents when I was a kid. I promised myself I'd never get into early dinners when I got older!
• Everything in our freezer is dated and marked. We kept finding mystery meat - any protein that's been frozen long enough to look like the remains of a frozen woolly mammoth from the ice age.
• I've stopped drinking anything after 5:30 pm...why? Because I wake up to pee at least twice a night. Okay, I admit it's TMI, but when I turned sixty, I recall asking my Dad why he hadn't warned me that I'd be waking up multiple times a night to use the bathroom. His answer, "At least you wake up!"
• For the first time in my life, I own more bathing suits than I ever did suits and ties. All spring and summer, my daily attire is a bathing suit and a t-shirt. But the best part is not caring how I look when I have to do an errand. Often I'll ask Sheila, "Can I go to the store like this?" Her response: "You'll fit right in at Walmart!"
• Nap time is a daily event. Look, I'm tired of 4-5-year-olds having all the fun. Every day, usually around 11:30, you'll find me, Sheila, and the pups in our bed for a quick power nap. Lucy and Belle even know the words "Nap time," and head to our bedroom the minute they hear the words.
• We now keep a list of all the movies and shows we've watched on Netflix, Paramount+, and Hulu. We're tired of watching something for an hour only to realize we've seen it already!
• "Alexa, how old is____?" Watching any awards special, we often hit pause and get a little help from Alexa on the challenge of celebrity aging. So often, we'll find out a Hollywood star is younger than we are but not aging very well. The comment is always the same: "Hey, we look pretty good for our age!"
• "There's no place like home!" Dorothy said it first in The Wizard of Oz, but we've become very comfortable just being home. By most of society's definition, we live boring lives. But there are lots of daily highlights - Amazon deliveries and being surprised like it was Christmas, because we forgot what we'd ordered.

I could go on with lots more, but the bottom line is we laugh a lot. We're growing old, and in all honesty, it's pretty terrific. It's anything but easy, and we both creak for ten minutes when we get up in the morning, but each day is like a sitcom. So what if now and then it's like "Fifty First Dates?"

Wishing all of you a day ahead that's filled with laughter and smiles with the people you cherish the most in your life. Take a minute or two to think back to the funniest thing you've ever done with your spouse or a best friend. Then, don't listen to people who tell you that you can never go back. The reality is, you can go anywhere you want, and the older you get, the easier it is to get away with it!
​
Happy Sunday...or Monday on the other side of the world.

I'm at an age where my back goes out more than I do!
Phyllis Diller

by Skip Cohen

​It's Sunday, and if you've followed me for even the shortest amount of time, I always run amok when I write a Reflections post. It's my weekly therapy to step entirely away from business and marketing and focus on something more personal and different. This morning's post is a perfect example.

We're all conditioned to capture images of beautiful sunsets, but we rarely photograph the sunrise. In fact, looking through all my photographs from the last couple of years, I only have one series of sunrises, and it was taken while on vacation. My standard routine is to look west at the end of each day; rarely do I look east. 

This morning, when we took the pups out, I looked behind me, and the shot above was unfolding. It's not a perfect shot, but you can't argue with the power of the colors and the clouds as the sun raised its head for a day predicted to bring more rain and thunderstorms.

Here's my point - a simple change of perspective completely enhanced the start of a new day. I broke routine, grabbed my phone, and walked out our front door to get as much of an unobstructed view as possible. When I showed it to Sheila, her first comment was, "Stairway to Heaven."

There's so much that we miss every day because of life's challenges and the stress they bring. Whether it's business, politics, Mother Nature's wrath, family squabbles, financial worries, or our health, we don't take the time for our own respite!

I've been writing a lot for the Alzheimer's Association, and in a recent post, I wrote about the importance of respite for caregivers. You can't help your loved one if you're not taking care of yourself first. We all know the routine of a flight attendant in the event of an emergency and the importance of putting our own mask on before trying to help another traveler. Well, it's no different in our daily lives - we need to make taking care of ourselves a priority.

I'm not suggesting you abandon your worry list - just recognize that a different perspective can help charge your battery. However, it only works if you recognize the signs that you're running out of gas in the first place. 

Alfred E. Neuman had it right long before most of us. Worrying only reinforces the negatives in your life, but looking in a new direction might just give you a different perspective and a spectacular view you would have missed if you hadn't broken the routine!

If you're in the US or Canada, it's a holiday weekend, making it the perfect time to tune out the noise that steals your peace. Make it a weekend with time to recharge and appreciate the beauty around you and everything that makes you smile, laugh, and your heart soar.

Yeah, it's hokey and sappy, but it works!

Wishing everybody a day ahead that's packed with nothing but smiles and appreciation for those people in your life who mean the most to you. Always go for those eleven-second therapeutic hugs I write about. They really do work and when done regularly, can become a part of keeping things in the proper perspective. Don't let the stress of the world dominate your dreams...even the little ones.

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

by Skip Cohen

It's Sunday, and Reflections is never about business. It's time for me to go off-track and share something that's on my mind. This morning, as I write this, Lucy was feeling left out and wanted to give me a hand. She's sitting in my lap, while I'm typing. She's put herself into the "action," and I guess it's pups on my mind this morning. 

I've written about Lucy and Belle many times in the past, but this morning their ever-calming influence is so much on my mind. Up until these two came into our lives almost six years ago, I had never had two dogs at the same time. There's nothing wrong with having one dog, but when you have two, they play together constantly. They share their toys and bones, and when there's a storm, they're snuggled up together in the one bed they sleep in every night.

But it's their sense of awareness that amazes me most. If either Sheila or I isn't feeling good or just tired, both pups will come over to share a little love and try to lift our spirits. If we're frustrated over something, they're there for us. Yet, they have their own personalities and quirks.

For example, Lucy loves to watch television, especially commercials with dogs in them. She started today as we went through Facebook reels of stories about dogs. Belle, on the other hand, isn't into TV, but when we're watching, she'll spend a lot of time hunkered down next to Sheila.

So, with the pups on my mind, I went off to read some great dog quotes...

My point this morning couldn't be more obvious, or for that matter, simplistic. Our pets never stop showing us unconditional love. No matter what the weather, our frustration in politics, the economy, or even changes in our health, there's no way to measure the richness they've added to our lives.

Wishing everybody a day ahead filled with unconditional love, laughter, and time with the four-legged furballs in your life. Our lives are fuller thanks to these two little knuckleheads. While we slow down as we age, Lucy and Belle are the secret ingredient to keeping us young and smiling almost all the time. And yes, as always go for those eleven-second therapeutic hugs I always write about - they work on dogs, just as much as family and great friends!

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

​And the best quote of all:

by Skip Cohen

Sunday mornings are always off the topic of business and marketing. It's probably been close to ten years since I started writing Reflections, and overall, I've stayed pretty true to my goal - to stay personal as much as possible. Well, this morning is personal, but it's taking work to not sound like a rant.

Sheila and I record the evening news. We record it so we fast forward through stories we either don't care about or we already know there's nothing new being shared. It's also great to bypass all the commercial messages, especially the dozens of drug ads.

Last night I was "driving" (I had the remote) and stuck with a story about the bullshit in Texas redistricting and California considering the same to counter. That was followed by a Trump-Putin story, and I found myself getting increasingly aggravated and vocal.  Seriously, we were just sitting on the couch watching the news, and I was dropping f-bombs when Sheila put it all in perspective...

by Skip Cohen
​
It's a typical Sunday morning, and as usual, I was excited to sit down at my computer and write Reflections. I rarely know what I'm going to write about, and today is no exception. If you've followed me for even a short amount of time, then you know I often cross the line into one of blogging's biggest taboos - getting personal. 

My topic, whether it's the cloudy day and rain coming in or the state of the world, evokes a sense of sadness within me. Everyone who's lost someone they love can identify with what I'm feeling - I miss my folks. My Dad was always my best buddy, and while my Mom and I were so often at odds, the time we got together in her last years, I cherish. I watched her and Sheila become close, to the point where Sheila describes her as the best mother she ever had.

Alzheimer's is a horrible disease, but I watched as Sheila's relationship with my mother became closer and closer. The key ingredient was simply Sheila's acceptance of everything Mom said. If Mom announced the sky was green, Sheila simply agreed. Arguing wasn't going to accomplish anything. Besides the beauty of the statement about the sky, was often accompanied by a description of what a beautiful day it was, and usually a story related to something that Mom loved as a child. Sheila found Mom's beauty through the storm. If Sheila had been singing at the time, it would have been from Annie, "...the sun will come out tomorrow!"

On Sunday nights, the kitchen/dining room in the complex where my folks lived was always closed. So Sunday became the day we did something a little different for dinner. On one of those weekends, I bought a small, inexpensive beach grill and a bag of charcoal. We surprised my folks and set up a barbecue picnic in an area behind their high-rise, complete with music. We had everything set up - from the steak on the grill, to the rest of the meal we had already prepared at home, when Dad wheeled Mom around the corner.

Take care of all your memories. For you cannot relive them.
Bob Dylan

Sometimes there's no explanation for the timing of great memories, and this is one of them! But those memories are enhanced thanks to photographs. Remember, I sat down today not knowing what I wanted to write about, but after thinking back to Sunday dinners with Mom and Dad, I went off in search of old pictures - in this case, from 2012. 

Here's my point this morning - great memories only have value if, like all those old photographs tucked away in a random drawer in your home, they're brought out now and then and savored. Looking back at the pictures above, I can hear my folks laughing. Mom was so excited to have a picnic and time with her family, while Dad loved anything that made Mom smile...and dinner wasn't half bad either!

It's bittersweet that my folks are gone physically, but not in our hearts. In spite of Mom's Alzheimer's, we made the best of it and still managed to squeeze out some great memories. Even through a tear here and there as I look back, I'm grateful for the time I had with them, and especially the way they loved Sheila coming into my life.

Wishing everyone a day ahead with time to make new memories, while also appreciating the ones from the past. While you can never go back, the memories that make you smile, both inside and out, are your exclusive treasures to cherish. Go for those eleven-second hugs with a special memory-maker in your life and cherish the people you love. You can't stop time, but you can turn up the "volume" on great memories, so much so that they feel like they just happened yesterday!

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

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do
than by the ones you did do, so throw off the bowlines,
sail away from safe harbor, catch the trade winds in your sails.
Explore, Dream, Discover.
H. Jackson Brown Jr.

by Skip Cohen

​It's Sunday morning, and I always run amok from my usual topics of business and marketing. It's my time to share whatever's on my mind or, as is often the case, in my heart. 

I first read the quote above many years ago and probably used it in a post somewhere along the last fifteen years of blogging. However, as I grow older, the things I've read in the past often take on a different meaning, one that is more poignant. It's like allowing a bottle of wine to open up, and improve with time.

Right now, it's not much different from during the pandemic or a hurricane; so many of us are hunkered down. From the insanity of politics, to rising prices, unemployment, wars on the other side of the world, the daily barrage of bullshit from Washington, to watching Mother Nature's wrath with floods, fires, and even a tsunami! 

The world is bizarre right now, and in most cases, there's little we can do about it. But you've got a choice to make: hunker down and lose sleep worrying, or live the life you dreamt about over the years. I'm not suggesting you ignore everything that bothers you, just shift your focus to things that make you smile and set whatever standards make your life worth living.

Here's another way to look at it...We have a good friend whose husband passed away three years ago. He collected some incredible wines. The collection included one bottle worth close to $1,000, but they were saving it for a special occasion. He passed away before they could drink it. Her only comment is a lesson from the quote above: "What were we waiting for?"

Here's my point: Those of you who are younger than I am (lately, that seems like everybody!) will just have to trust me when I ask you to read the quote above again. Life doesn't slow down and wait for you. Now, what are you going to do to explore, dream, and discover?

Wishing everyone a day ahead that's filled with time to sail away from safe harbor. Take those risks that make your heart soar and put a smile on your face. Remember, just like sailing, you've got a terrific crew - those special people in your life who care about you, love you, and watch your back. You know, the ones that get those eleven-second therapeutic hugs, I always write about.

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

Happiness is only real when it's shared!
Jon Krakauer

by Skip Cohen

Sunday Morning Reflections are never about business and marketing. It's my time to share something that's entirely off the track from our industry. Unlike most Sundays when I sit down at the computer and don't know what I want to write about, today I knew exactly what I wanted to hit; all thanks to the quote above.

We're living at an awful time in history - from politics, to a divided nation, to fires, floods, wars, global warming, rising costs...of EVERYTHING, and the return of childhood diseases that disappeared years ago, to name a few of the challenges. More than ever, instead of appreciating the happiness that we can have, so many people have become obsessed with all the problems.

I'm not suggesting we should ignore the problems,  just don't let them overshadow the happiness you still have. With the quote above, author Lou Mitchell wrote:

While solitude and self-discovery are valuable, true happiness often comes from sharing moments with others. Our relationships and the bonds we form add depth and meaning to our lives, turning fleeting moments of joy into lasting memories.

I remember something my Dad used to say when dealing with my Mom's Alzheimer's. They'd been married over sixty years, and he was "losing his girl." In those rare moments of normalcy, when her personality would come out from behind the clouds, Dad would say, "I'm going to hang onto this moment and squeeze all the juice out of this memory to keep me going in the tougher days ahead!" 

Ironically, the career path most of us have chosen, photography, is one of the most important tools in capturing those memories that make our hearts soar. It's all those pictures that remind us not just of what once was, but what can be again if we just don't lose faith.

And there's my point. Right now, we need to share our happiness, not to ignore the pain and fear we might be dealing with, but to ensure that laughter and love take top billing. I pulled a few images out of my files to share and hope you'll do the same. There's nothing like a walk down the good side of Memory Lane to jumpstart a few smiles!​

Wishing everybody a day ahead that gives you time to appreciate a little time off from the pain in the world and moments of happiness with the people you care most about. Those eleven-second therapeutic hugs I always write about are a necessity. As my Dad used to say, they'll help you get the "memory juice" you need for the days when things are toughest.

​Happy Sunday...or Monday 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 Coelho

by Skip Cohen

As I wrote last Sunday, I planned to cut back on things I was doing, but dropping Sunday Morning Reflections was simply a mistake. Over the years, I've talked about Reflections being therapeutic in taking my thoughts out of business and marketing. Input from many of you suggested the same thing...so, I'm back and like McDonald's..."I'm Lovin' it!"

This past week, my second post in the "You're Not Alone" Chronicles was published on the Alzheimer's Organization blog for South Florida. Writing these posts is a labor of love. Each time I write about the topic of dealing with my mother's Alzheimer's, it takes me back to the challenges and the memories. When I read yesterday's quote of the day in Lou Mitchell's book, it fit so well with what I've been feeling.

I miss family and friends who have passed away over the years. However, there are times when I can feel their presence, so much so that it's as if they're right next to me. It often begins with old photographs that evoke memories. Then it moves to other activities. My mother, for example, loved corn on the cob; my Dad loved grilled onions; and my grandmother had a raspberry patch.

My mother never had corn the way we make it on the grill today, and I smile thinking about her every time I'm playing Grill Master. We talk about my Dad every time we're grilling onions. And when I bite into a raspberry, I always comment that it takes me back to being a kid.

Whenever my grandmother sent me out to pick berries, she knew I'd eat them almost as fast as I picked them. I remember one time coming back from the garden with only a couple of dozen berries in the bowl. When my grandmother asked me where the rest were, I said, "They weren't ripe yet!" Meanwhile, I had on a white t-shirt, and the collar and front were completely red. I looked like I'd been in a fight with Freddy Krueger!

Here's my point this morning - it hurts to lose loved ones. Everyone handles loss differently, but there comes a point where the good memories outweigh the sadness. It's bittersweet, and you can't always shake the tears, but if you listen to your heart, you can savor the memories.

Alzheimer's took my mother years before she passed away. In the process, we lost my Dad a little too, he was caught in his own sadness and frustration. But this is where and why I'm such a photo junkie with thousands of throwbacks, each one igniting memories that make me smile, laugh, and sometimes cry.

True to the quote that started this post, loved ones never disappear. Their energy, carried through all the memories, is around us all the time. They're a part of us, and as Paulo Coelho wrote, they're merely in another room. I'm not suggesting it doesn't still hurt, but at the same time, thinking of lost loved ones a room away, is a great perspective and foundation for pulling great memories out of your personal archives.

Wishing everybody a day ahead that's filled with the people you love the most. And for loved ones you've lost, take a few minutes and think back to one great moment from the past - a memory that makes you smile. Those eleven-second hugs I always write about aren't just for the loved ones with you today; they can also be for wonderful memories of special people you've lost...and there's no eleven-second time limit when you're parked on Memory Lane!

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

by Skip Cohen

On June 1, I shared my plan to post less and put Sunday Morning Reflections on a back-burner. Well, here I am, making a change and bringing back the series. I miss writing and sharing on Sunday mornings, especially when my thoughts are rarely about business and marketing.

This morning, I'm not going into the frustration I know all of us feel over what's going on in politics, but I did find a perfect quote that I wish more of our wannabe leaders would consider...

No matter how educated, talented, rich or cool you believe you are,
how you treat people ultimately tells all.
Integrity is everything.
Unknown Author

Following that quote, Lou Mitchell went on to write:

...true character is reveled through our interactions with others. Regardless of our achievements or status, it is our integrity and the way we treat people that defines us. This perspective encourages us to prioritize kindness, respect, and honesty in all our relationships, understanding that these qualities are the true measures of our worth.

​What I find funny is that most of us already learned this when we were kids growing up with the Golden Rule: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."  
And here's my point on this first Reflections post after a short break. Just as much as I hate the bizarre behavior and lack of integrity on the political scene, I dislike people on social media who have decided their opinion is the only one that matters. Integrity is getting harder and harder to find everywhere, not just in politics.

Wishing everybody a day ahead that gives you time to appreciate those people you're closest to; the ones that treat you with respect, love, kindness, and support. Go for those eleven-second hugs I always write about with the people you love the most. They help keep you grounded and remind you what's truly important is what's in your heart, NOT the negativity in the outside world.

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

by Skip Cohen

A few weeks ago, I announced I was putting Sunday Morning Reflections on the back burner and taking a break for a little while, but it's Father's Day, and I can't let the day go by without a "Happy Father's Day" to all you Dads out there.

I already ran a tribute to my Dad earlier in the week, so today is focused on all of you...with just one story about my Dad. 

I was around seven years old when my mom found out I'd ridden my bike with the Jackson boys over the railroad tracks about a half mile from our house. The train tracks were on the 100% taboo list. Mom was furious and screamed, "Wait until your father gets home!"

Dad got home, heard my mother's request for my punishment, and came into my room with his fraternity paddle from college. We talked about what I had done. Whether I was really filled with remorse or in fear of the paddle; he knew I wouldn't do it again. So, the conversation went like this:

"Your mother wants me to paddle your butt...I know you'll never do it again, and you've learned your lesson. So, when I hit my leg with the paddle, you better scream and cry like there's no tomorrow!"

He hit his leg, and I screamed...he hit it a second time, and again, I screamed and cried...on the third time, my mother beat on the door - "That's enough Ralph, let's hope he learned his lesson. My performance was flawless, and had there been an award for best supporting actor in a home parenting drama, the Oscar would have been mine.

And that was my Dad - it never mattered to him how the lessons were learned, only that he achieved the results that helped me grow. Hanging on the wall of my office is his paddle, and next to it, my grandfather's pocket watch, a Gruen that still keeps perfect time. The paddle represents one of my favorite memories...and sharing the story opens the floodgates for more stories, and that's what great memories are all about.

Happy Father's Day everybody. Cherish the moments that got you here because they go by too fast, and before you know it, they're gone.

Wishing everybody a terrific day ahead and time to kick back and chill. Tomorrow isn't going anywhere, so why worry about it? 

And to my Dad, who I miss every day - you gave me a foundation of memories that have made you a legend. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't cherish growing up with you by my side.

​Love ya Pop!

May there be just enough clouds in your life to create beautiful sunsets!
Author Unknown

by Skip Cohen

​On January 1, 2017, I wrote my first Sunday Morning Reflections post. It was something I wanted to try - sharing something more personal with topics miles away from business and marketing. Now, 8 1/2 years later, I'm finally running out of things to write about.  

Thanks to all of you, I've managed to survive crossing the line into topics the "experts" say you should never blog about - you know, the stuff in our lives that really matters. (LOL)  As readership grew, Sunday mornings became a time for sharing thoughts on the lives we're all trying to live outside of business.

NOTE: If it seems like I'm headed down the road of sappiness, it's only because I am.

I realized this week that maybe it's time to slow down a bit, and this will be my last Sunday Morning Reflections post. I'll still be sharing a few marketing posts and, of course, Throwback Thursday, but less frequently. I turned 76 last week, making me officially an old fart, putting me in good company with other residents of Sarasota County, typically considered the oldest per-capita county in the United States.  Which, by the way, explains why so many people drive at 11 mph with their left turn signal on!

So, this morning's post is a giant "THANKS" for your support, feedback, and never-ending enthusiasm for an industry I love dearly and a life I feel so blessed to be able to share. In the second Reflections post in 2017, I shared  an outstanding quote, along with the one above:

While it may seem small, the ripple effect of small things is extraordinary.
Matt Bevin

by Skip Cohen

​Remember, it's Sunday, and I never talk about business when writing Reflections! It's my time to share and remind you about something entirely outside the daily stress of being a business owner. Today's subject is a perfect example.

There's a small porch off my home office, and it's ideal for anything that grows with minimal attention and high heat. I'm not sure why the original owners added it to the house because it's enclosed on all sides without any cross-ventilation.  At least eight months out of the year, it's too hot to be on. That's where Sheila decided to put a few cactuses...and she was right!

This week, my own private desert came into bloom. In all my travels over the years, I've never caught the desert in bloom. But having a few cacti in the family has given me a front-row seat to what it must be like. (And while I did give the image above one little tweak in Luminar, it was just to play with the background.)

As I've gotten older, it's the little things I appreciate more and more every day. Looking out the window yesterday and seeing a cactus flower made me smile. The color, the irony of something that beautiful, which has pretty much been ignored of any care, including water or even fertilizer, is a mini-miracle.

There's so much we take for granted and miss! We walk right by all the little things because we're too busy and stressed to notice. After all, how can you take time to appreciate a flower blooming when the world is falling apart?

​If you look at the big picture, you start losing your focus on the little things.
Julius Randle

There are so many little things in my life that give me joy...my day starts with Sheila and I getting up together and taking care of the pups...we take them out, get them brushed, and then they get a treat to start the day. Later, Sheila and I have breakfast together - almost always avocado toast with an egg over the top. Meanwhile, the house is always filled with music, and you can never predict what's going to be playing - starting the day with Spa Radio and finishing it with Chris Stapleton, Little Big Town, Ed Sheeran, CSN, or some other random artist, usually from the past.

Here's my point - pay attention to the little things that make you smile. On the toughest of days, there are always little things that add to your life and give it that extra seasoning, just like the spices you put on a steak before you throw it on the grill.  Looking for a little respite from the big pressures in your life? Take the time to notice all the little things - they'll become magical.

Wishing everybody a terrific day ahead. If you're in the US, it's Memorial Day weekend and most of you have the Monday holiday to kick back and enjoy all the little things together with the big ones in your life. Go for those eleven-second therapeutic hugs I always write about...they're little things that have big meaning because they're reserved for those people most special!

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

Happiness is finding joy wherever you can.
Unknown

by Skip Cohen

​In the last few months, if you've followed me for even the shortest time, you've probably noticed me writing more about my work supporting Alzheimer's patients and their caregivers.  Having lost so many family members to the disease, it's a topic near and dear to my heart.

It's Sunday, and Reflections is consistently about something other than business and, most of the time, more personal than my regular posts. Well, when I read the quote above, all I could think about was a comment my Dad made when dealing with my mother's last couple of years with Alzheimer's.

"I'm going to hang onto every moment of joy we get, squeeze the damn juice out of it, bottle it, and save it for the bad days."  

And Dad did just that...he hung on to every moment where, as we used to describe it, the sun came out from behind the clouds, when my mother was back to being herself, even if just for a few minutes. He was angry, frustrated, and sad so often - he was losing his best girl after 60+ years, and there was nothing he could do to slow things down.

Fast forward twelve years later, and technology is slowly catching up on the disease. There are treatments now available that, if Alzheimer's is caught early enough, they slow it down. There's no cure, but there is a giant speed bump being created by infusion drugs like Kisunla. As a result, the word "hope" is becoming a part of the Alzheimer's vocabulary.  And along with hope, joy is a little less elusive.

And there's my point—it's an expression we've all heard so many times over the years: life is only what you make it. You can complain that roses have thorns or rejoice that thorns have roses. It's all in your perspective. In spite of the chaos in the world and the insanity of what we read, hear, and see happening, the quality of your life is still mostly dependent on you.

Wishing everybody a day ahead filled with joy, smiles, and time with family and friends you love the most. For us, we've got good friends coming over for this afternoon, and I'm already anticipating that wonderful ache you get in your gut from laughing too much. Don't forget those eleven-second hugs with the people most important to you—they're the ones that help you keep things in perspective and focus on joy.

And to my best buddy and wife, Sheila, who helps me stay focused on the joy in our lives...

Everything changed the day he figured out
there was exactly enough time for the important things in his life.
The Story People