by Skip Cohen

Just a reminder - this is a "NO Business Zone" on Sundays. It's my time to step away from discussing marketing and hopefully talk about something more personal in my life and maybe yours.

Sheila and I were watching something on Netflix the other night, and one of the characters talked about "Someday" not being a real day of the week. He referenced how often people push their dreams to the back burner, convincing themselves that "today" needs to be postponed. Well, that got me thinking about my own life and experiences right up to today. There was a time when I was almost exclusively a "Someday" guy.

At least forty years ago, I was fortunate to meet Ed Foreman, who sadly passed away not long ago. Polaroid had hired him as a motivational speaker for a divisional meeting, and I always remembered his message. I'm going to be paraphrasing one that hit me particularly hard...

Here's what so many of you do, as one spouse says to the other:

"Just wait until I get that next promotion and we have a little more money coming in - then we're really going to have some fun."

A few years later, "Just wait until we move into the new house - wow, are we going to have fun!"

A few years later, "As soon as the kids are out of college, we'll kick back and have some fun. We'll do that travel we've always wanted to do."

Later on..."Just wait until the kids are married and out of the house..."

Then, years later, lying in your coffin, on the way to the cemetery, it hits you, "Oh my God, I forgot to have fun!"

Several times during his presentation, he talked about life being about living, laughing, and loving. I never forgot his presentation, and the comment in a movie about "Someday" this past week brought it back.

Each of us, at one time or another, has put a dream on hold - we've made "Someday" a day of the week and let the stress of excess baggage get in the way. We've taken things that belong active in our hearts and put them in storage.

And here's my point this morning - all future "Somedays" need to be canceled. If there's something you've always wanted to do, then start the process now. Don't let the naysayers get in the way, and stay focused on living, laughing, and loving. I know it sounds sappy, but you know how to focus your camera - so how about focusing on your dreams, even the little ones?

One more favorite from Ed Foreman that fits - stop worrying about what people think or all the what-ifs your mind creates:

"Worry is nothing less than the misuse of your imagination!"
Ed Foreman

Wishing everybody a day of nothing but living, laughing and loving. If you've got a vision of something you've always wanted to do - then start the process today or tomorrow, but NOT "Someday." Make it a day that if you kept a journal, it would take six pages to write about! Nothing beats creating memories with the people you love the most.

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

You can't be that kid standing at the top of the waterslide, overthinking it.
You have to go down the chute.
Tina Fey

by Skip Cohen

If you're new to reading my Sunday posts, here's a short warning - I always go off the topic of business and marketing. 

Last night Sheila and I, wandering through Netflix, found a movie, "This is Where I Leave You." It was released in 2014 with an all-star cast including Jane Fonda, Tina Fey, and Jason Bateman. And for those overly macho film seekers out there, I suppose it would be classified as a chick-flick. 

In one scene, Jason Bateman talks about his life and how he's always played it safe. He stayed away from risks and anything that was complicated.  That kicked off a conversation I later had with Sheila, and it's been on my mind all night. Up until 2009, I always played it safe. I waited for things to come my way instead of going after them. I stayed away from complicated and never strayed from the path I was on.

I remember deciding it was time to leave WPPI, and everyone thought I was nuts except for one person, Sheila. I've written about this before, but she asked, "What are you afraid of?" Without one second of hesitation, I answered, "Failure!"

On April 1, 2009, I handed in my resignation, and while it's never been easy, I've never looked back. And because of that, one foundation-building risk, I've got no regrets. I stopped playing it safe and I see it reflected in so many decisions I make every day. 

If you play it safe in life, you've decided you don't want to grow anymore!
Shirley Hufstedler

​Growth only happens outside our comfort zone. I'm not suggesting it's been easy, but I'm grateful for a partner supporting taking a risk. I had lived vicariously through the entrepreneurial spirit of so many of you. I wanted to see if I could walk the talk, and while I've got a few scraped knees from falling down, it's been so worth it.

And there's my point - don't stop chasing your dreams. Don't hold back from taking risks. Step outside your routine and stop being so predictable. It's not easy, but there is an outrageous sense of accomplishment at the end of the day - even when you've missed the mark, nothing is cast in concrete. You think it through, analyze what didn't work, and hit it again!

Wishing you a day filled with passion, growth, and, yes, a little risk-taking. Don't overthink that waterslide - take the leap and head down the chute. You'll be amazed at how much you can accomplish taking a different path, and as hokey as it sounds - you'll wake up tomorrow energized over the changes!

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

by Skip Cohen
​
Regarding my topics in Sunday Morning Reflections, I always run amuck from business and marketing. Today's a perfect example, as I describe yesterday.

I have a closet in my office that's floor-to-ceiling storage. While it's not a big closet, I had stored years of gear, tradeshow swag, discs, cables, computer gear, notebooks, papers to be filed, and the list goes on and on and on...

When I took out the second full bag of trash, Sheila joined me. I'm unsure if she really wanted to help, or it was the entertainment value of watching her husband stress over the lifeboat drill of what I wanted to save versus let sink with the Titanic!

As I sorted through the treasure, all I could think about was my buddy Bob T. His wife, Cindy, used to make cleaning his office a requirement before he headed out on one of our scuba trips. We used to laugh about it on every dive trip.

So, now I'm left with the question of whether or not I'm a hoarder at heart and deserve to be on some reality trade show, seeing if Geraldo will come in with a camera crew to see the treasures behind Skip's closet door, or do I need counseling?

Here are a few of the great finds...

• I must have at least 100 badges from various tradeshows for me, Sheila, and even my Dad when I took him on HonorFlight.
• Goodwill is getting five of the seven trade show swag notebooks.
• How many organizational backpacks does one need?
• USB cables - is there some reason every piece of electronic gear has to have a slightly different plug? 
• Baseball hats fall into the same category as notebooks and backpacks - I can only wear one at a time, but God forbid I should throw one away.

But the best find was the aromatherapy gear I bought years ago. I purchased two essential oils: one for "Focusing, Centering, Clarifying" and the other for "Energizing, Uplifting and Refreshing." The minute I found them, I had the diffuser cranked up. Cleaning out years of hoarding, I went with the need to focus and clarify. It was working - I was tossing things out left and right.

I took a break for a little while and forgot to shut it off. Within half an hour, the whole house smelled like a cross between a French whorehouse and a dumpster at Denny's. I thought about switching scents to uplifting and refreshing when Sheila had a better suggestion - "Shut the damn thing off!"

Everyone has a closet, desk, or kitchen drawer where they stash memories. It's like a shoebox of old photographs. The cleanup was a kick to do and brought back memory after memory, but it's never-ending. There are eight drawers/baskets that are filled with more junk. There's no telling what I might find, like another WPPI lapel pin from 1997. Who knows when I might need a couple of blank cassette tapes, floppy discs, or a fax machine (used twice over the last ten years)?

Here's my point, while we're still in the "slow season," take the time to clean out a drawer or closet. If you're like me, it will be a kick. It'll also be an incredibly slow process as each memory-making-what-the-hell-do-I-do-with-this treasure sees the light of day.

Wishing everybody a weekend filled with discovering buried treasure you forgot about years ago. Like Throwback Thursday photographs, everything you save has a heartbeat. You don't need to let go of the memories, just the clutter.

Knowing that you can find anything on the Internet, I searched for a great quote about closets...

May your heart and your closet be full.
Anonymous

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

by Skip Cohen

​It's Sunday, and if you've followed me for even a short time, you already know how off-track I get from marketing and business today. That's because Sunday is my day to do a brain dump of whatever is most on my mind. And while this ties into my resolutions for the new year, I'm betting a few of you should join me.

I'm tired of "mañana" being an all-encompassing word for procrastination, especially with friends. Where it all started for me was coming out of the pandemic and missing contact with good friends. I remember being a guest on a podcast and being asked what I missed the most. My answer: "Bumping into people...literally."

So, IUSA was the first time in over two years that Sheila and I were together at a convention. We caught up with old friends and got out to breakfast, lunch, and dinner with as many friends as possible. Since then, I've kept my mañana gene on a very short leash. We've got friends we caught up to in Nashville - before the year is up, we're going north for a weekend with them, and they're looking at coming down here. Then we've got other friends who will be in the area for a month! 

Friendship: A state in which acquaintances become indelibly linked to one another through shared experiences creating a unique connection that results in comforting good times and a life of memories.
Diane Stimson

It's too easy to let life get in the way when one of the most essential ingredients is friendship. It takes work, but it's not impossible, and it's certainly not rocket science. Best of all, there's this new gadget called a phone! Three times this past week, I picked up the phone and just called somebody out of the blue. No real purpose except to catch up on their lives. No texting - no emails - just my old-school approach to keeping in touch!

Here's my point - life is too short. But, unfortunately, you don't realize it until you pass fifty, and then the days go by faster and faster until you feel trapped in an old Jimmy Stewart movie and the hands of an analog clock are spinning...sadly many of you don't know who Jimmy Stewart was. So, visualize the scene, and trust me!

The bottom line is that we can control and stifle our mañana gene - there is no expiration date on good friendships, but they do require a little ongoing nourishment! So make today a day when you pick out an old friend and pick up the phone! And if there's an opportunity actually to get together, go for it. Grab those eleven-second therapeutic hugs I always write about, and cherish your friends TODAY, not mañana.

We'll be friends until we're old and senile...then we'll be new friends!
Anon

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

by Skip Cohen
​
It's Sunday, and while Reflections always jumps the track from the topic of business, it's on track today to remind you how important it is to focus on yourself now and then.

For those of you who know me well, I'm hardly the kind to read a daily meditation. Well, I wasn't, but I have my wife to thank. We have two books each year, one for each of us. Our routine is to do our best to have breakfast together every day, and after breakfast, she reads her daily piece out loud, and then I read mine. None of the meditations are earth-shaking - just reminders of how to live a better life. It seems to most often focus on not getting buried under the baggage of the outside world.

Last week I bookmarked the thought for the day, which I'm sharing below. It's so appropriate. We've been conditioned to believe it's more admirable to go nonstop than to take a break, feed our souls and chill! None of us can do it all. It takes more discipline to take the needed breaks than to keep going forward. Anybody can keep moving, but how many of us take the time to stop, smell the roses, and appreciate the journey?

When you're feeling overwhelmed, it's important to breathe. Sometime we get too caught up in the task at hand and forget our most basic need: oxygen. Take a break and do nothing. We all need time to recharge. If we keep going nonstop, it can lead to burn-out and then we will be forced to rest. Rest should be a beautiful choice and a present you give yourself. Abandon the need to do and be everything and allow yourself peace and relaxation.

​Emily Silva (click on the thumbnail to view on Amazon)

Wishing everybody a day of peace and relaxation. Take a break from worrying about business and thinking about what you need to do tomorrow. Enjoy those people you appreciate the most and don't forget to let your heart just rest - it's the best present you can give yourself!  
​
Happy Sunday...or Monday on the other side of the world.

My mom used to say, "A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour."
​Gregory Benford

by Skip Cohen

It's Sunday, and as usual with Sunday Morning Reflections, I'm way off base from the usual topics. Why? If you're new to the SCU blog, this is my day to write about whatever's on my mind...and it's never marketing and business. It's become therapeutic to have fun sharing something besides what we should be doing tomorrow at work!

Looking for some great quotes to share this coming week, I ran across the one above. It got me in a reflective mood and thinking about my life...most of it has been a detour. In fact, I'm still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up - which is why I love this industry so much. It's always changing - there's always a new challenge, technique even a new audience.

And with every change we tackle, which are the "detours," we get a chance to enjoy the "scenery." That scenery could be anything...like new friends and associates who come into our lives because of a new direction. Then there are new techniques we can try because of technology. And there's new gear, applications, and even trends in our business - all detours from where most of us started and thought we were headed.

Take a second and look at your life over the last ten years. Think about how many detours you've made where the "scenery" was remarkable. For me, I suppose it's got something to do with my outlook on life and just playing the cards I'm dealt. Although I'm a terrible gambler when it comes to Vegas - with life, it's about savoring each moment and like cooking, seasoning it with good friends, and maximizing time to smile!

Yeah, it's hokey, sappy, and simplistic, but it's so true. It took me many years to learn that everything always works out for the better, along with that old line about one door closing and a new one opening.

Wishing you a day filled with smiles and just being plain old happy. "Happy" is one of those words we often forget to recognize when dealing with baggage! Make it a day when you let nothing get in the way of enjoying the moment! Go for those eleven-second therapeutic hugs with whoever you're with, and cherish the fact that it's the detours in life that make it interesting.

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

PS The photo I wanted to include today is an old house in Madrid, NM, but I had some fun with Luminar's presets in their "Dramatic" collection. So I suppose it's another detour...playing with presets and allowing myself the fun of being a filter junkie for a few minutes!

by Skip Cohen

It's the first convention of the new year and my schedule is already jam packed with people I'm catching up with over the next three days. The anticipation is incredible. While I know it's only been a year since the last IUSA, it's also been a long year with minimal contact with great friends and associates. 

Plus, ever since the pandemic had us all hunkered down - like so many of you, I've missed contact. Zoom, Skype, Facetime even a phone call are great - but nothing beats actually being with friends and the buzz in the air when a good show is about to kick off.

But there is a sidebar challenge - it's recognizing faces but hitting the wall when it comes to names! Twice, last night on our way back to the room, I bumped into people I know well - did bro-hugs, the whole nine yards and couldn't remember their names until ten minutes later! So, whether it's aging, overload or too many lost brain cells at concerts in the 70s or 80s - work with me if I bump into you today! 

Oh, and one more point - if I look lost, it's probably because I am. This Gaylord Hotel is so big that their phone app has GPS. I didn't download it originally, but twice now I've realized the bread crumbs I was dropping to and from our room weren't necessary!

The bottom line is right there with Carly Simon's song - these will become the good old days the minute we leave Nashville.

If you're here, I hope to catch up to you...and if you're not at IUSA make it a great day and your own "good old days" to savor tomorrow and beyond. Go for those eleven-second therapeutic hugs with the people most important in your life and take nothing for granted.

These are the good old days.

​

by Skip Cohen

It's Sunday morning, and if you're just tuning into the SCU blog for the first time, here's a warning - I always go off track from business and marketing when I write Sunday Morning Reflections. And I never know what I want to share until I put my fingers on the keyboard.

It's a new year, and I've noticed how I look at friendships has changed dramatically. I'll blame my buddies Duncan MacNab and Bob Thompson for igniting my savor and cherish genes. I posted about Duncan and the trip Bob and I made a few months ago - but here's my point. Duncan was simply always there, and I took it for granted. I never thought about losing such a good friend.

With IUSA coming up in two weeks, I catch myself wondering who's going to be there. There are so many people I've missed seeing, and phone and zoom calls just don't cut it. And whether it's politically or health-supported, I'll be going for the hugs...with fist bumps only when necessary!

Even now, in my day-to-day interactions with old and new friends, I find myself picking up the phone more often. Even short conversations become these wonderful little smile-inducing elements during the day.

And here's my point - it's a new year, and I'll be damned if anything is going to get in the way. My grandmother always said, "Life is too short," but I didn't understand the real meaning until I was older. That's where my savor and cherish genes come in. Like a fine wine, you don't chug; you sip and appreciate it. 

So savor and cherish those people most important to you. Don't waste time taking them for granted - make 2023 a year of no regrets, never missing an opportunity to stay in touch. Take the time today and do an inventory of people you've missed. Then lay out an informal plan for catching up to them, preferably in person!
​
Wishing everybody a day ahead filled with great friends and looks in the rearview mirror that bring back the pure joy of each of them being in your life. Go for those eleven-second therapeutic hugs I always write about, and don't waste time - it's your most valuable commodity!

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

May the holiday season bring only happiness,
joy and plenty of laughter to you and your loved ones!
Skip, Sheila, Lucy and Belle

by Skip Cohen

 ​It's Sunday morning and the first day of the new year. I hate the resolutions we all make and rarely stick to. However, I do have two at the very top of the list...Laughing more and posting Sunday Morning Reflections. The laughing more is there for obvious reasons. We live in a bizarre world, and there are too many people who take things too seriously! So it's time to stay focused on fun with a work hard - play hard mentality.

Then there's Sunday Morning Reflections - while they've always been a labor of love, there are mornings when it's hard to bring my thoughts into focus. Then again, that's why I've said these posts are therapeutic. They help me recharge for the week ahead.
 
In keeping with my resolution, here's the backstory about the images above. Most of you know I don't make a living as a professional photographer. My passion has always been the business and marketing side, and while I have plenty of gear and will match my love for the craft with anybody, my skills often need to improve.

Sheila was shopping and spotted family pajamas. The next thing I knew, we were all dressed for the occasion; Lucy and Belle included. So, for this year's holiday card, I set up two soft-boxes on either side of the bed and my camera at the foot. I was shooting with a LUMIX G9 and the 14-140mm lens, one of my favorites. I had problems with remote shooting, but I think it was my phone rather than the camera.

No big deal, I set the timer and figured I'd jump in...after all, ten seconds is more than enough time. Well, we got nothing but funny out-takes, including me falling over as I tried to move into position with Lucy. But, unfortunately, we could never get the pups to look at the camera. 

We recorded the dog show on Thanksgiving and put it on to play. The TV was right behind the camera, and we were making progress. They love the dog show. But, still, no remote, and ten seconds just didn't cut it. So, I switched to 4K video and grabbed a few single frames - *poof* - minor work in Luminar, and we had our shot.

But the real fun of the five video clips and dozens of individual frames left us laughing to the point of tears!

And there's my point - there's nothing worth stressing over this year. I'm not saying you can ignore the challenges in your life; just appreciate what you're learning along the way. Joy beats out stress every time, and nothing can top those special spontaneous memories we all can create...and capture! And if you still don't get it, Melody Beattie does - Please read yesterday's Saturday post!

Make it a point to hit those eleven-second therapeutic hugs with everyone you love...and make it a day to savor, cherish, and create memories to energize you in the future. Today's most incredible memories will be your best look in the rearview mirror weeks, months, and years from now.

Happy New Year!

by Skip Cohen

​It's a typical Sunday morning, and I'm entirely off-track from marketing and business about imaging. However, another segment of the arts is on my mind...music. There's virtually nothing I do on any day that isn't accompanied by music. 

Over the last four years, we've accumulated six Alexas - they're all synced and on all day. Hooked to Pandora radio, we can pick an artist, and she plays everything in that genre...and whatever's playing tends to support the mood we're in. The day always starts out mellow and finishes louder, brighter, and often more vintage.

Sunday mornings always start with something gospel or more contemporary because that's what Sheila grew up with. And at noon today, depending on our mood, it'll be anyone from Willie Nelson to Crosby, Still and Nash, Jack Johnson, Adele...we never know.

Yesterday, Alexa was playing Pandora, and "Forever Young" was on. Rod Stewart recorded it originally, but the lyrics got to me and were so appropriate this time of year. Regardless of your beliefs, the words seemed so poignant at the time:

It's Sunday morning, and it's certainly nothing new for me to run amuck from business and marketing topics. It's also holiday time and, without question, my favorite time of year. I'm guessing that the brain waves in my head if transferred to anything visual, would look like spin art! When that happens, and I can't focus, Melody Beattie comes to the rescue.

I found a short paragraph that I loved...​

We trudge the road searching for power, learning about our own. Somewhere on the journey, we begin to see the truth. It awakens quietly within us, shaking our soul, transforming our vision, teaching us what we knew all along. The power that lasts, the power that stays in the power of the heart.

​And here's my point. What I love about this time of year is that it's all about those twelve words above. It's about joy and appreciation for being here at this point - right now. And no matter how tough or insane the year has been, there's something in the air - a unique form of kindness that simply has a calming quality...sort of a Xanax for the soul.

It all boils down to gratitude. I won't apologize for getting sappy and sounding pretty hokey. I so appreciate all of you who support me...your feedback...and simply the time to share the scrambled mess inside my head every Sunday morning. 

Wishing everyone a day ahead filled with family, friends, or whatever makes your heart soar. It's holiday time, and nothing tops that special energy all around us. As always, go for those long therapeutic hugs with the people who mean the most to you.

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

by Skip Cohen

It's Sunday morning, and I couldn't be more off-track from business and marketing. I'm not sure where my topic today would fall, but it's between admiration and sarcasm. So, consider yourself warned.

The topic is Publix Supermarkets...I consider the staff at our local Publix #1639 completely "top-shelf". It's a smaller store filled with the most wonderful group. They've only been open a few years, but they're just a mile from our house and they never miss a day. They got us through the pandemic, a hurricane, and the craziness of day-in-day-out living. They never do anything halfway and have supported the community with the same dedication of first-responders.

When the pandemic hit, I did all the shopping because I had fewer issues should I get Covid than my wife. So, no big deal - I'd shop early in the morning. I got to know the store, the inventory, and all the staff. From Nancy, "Boston," "Colonel Bill," Tony, Jack and the list goes on and on - It's simply a great team.

Now, let's move to their marketing department and wrap it up with one bizarre product.

Yesterday I got an email congratulating me on my "Half-Birthday." Entering my phone number at checkout, I'll get a container of their frozen yogurt or a cake. While it's a nice gesture, at some point in our lives, we reach an age where we don't need to be reminded that time isn't slowing down! And if I'm trying to watch my sugar, which also goes with aging - don't give me a free cake.

I don't want to celebrate my half-birthday, let alone even know about it! LOL If anything, give me senior parking like Walmart in Bozeman...or just send me a note wishing me a great holiday season and a certificate for a fully loaded death-defying, artery clogging, Italian sub.

by Skip Cohen

What I love most about Seth Resnick's Facebook posts is they're always so relatable. This past week, he shared the post below about losing his Dad. Just to say it "hit home" would be a huge understatement.

Time does heal wounds, but the scars don't go away, and they shouldn't. Like Seth, I lost my Dad seven years ago this month. While we lost my Mom, physically a few years earlier, Alzheimer's robbed us many years before.  But Dad never slowed down being by her side and fighting to savor each random lucid moment of joy. 

And with me, through all of life's challenges, he was always my best buddy. He was always there for me, and I miss the conversations, stories and especially the laughs. I love those memories of him laughing. Something would hit him that was so funny, he'd laugh until the tears started to roll. I have so many wonderful memories that bring the smiles and the tears.

Just like Seth, there are things that catch me off guard and a tear appears...usually it's something outrageously simple. For example, seeing the snow storms back east on the news this week, got me thinking about our gas grill when I was a kid.

We had a hard-wired gas grill. With that first snow storm in November, Dad was surprised. "Look at that - there's a 12 foot circle around the grill where the snow didn't stick!" It was then he realized the grill had been on low since Labor Day! Remember, this is back when gas was cheap and I don't think he ever noticed the tiny spike in the bill.  

It's the memories, combined with those old photographs that gives those loved ones we've lost their immortality. And to quote Seth...Tears and a smile.

​Wishing everybody a terrific day ahead.  Take the time to appreciate not only the people you love who are here for you, but those who are no long around for those eleven-second therapeutic hugs. But here's the thing, they are around in your heart, and they are watching over you. The tears are simply gateways to memories and smiles.

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

​My heart and mind are in a myriad of thought pointing back to Japan. It was 7 years ago that I was teaching a workshop in Japan and received a call that my dad who was healthy died in his sleep. When my father died, I tried so hard to be strong and show everybody how resilient and tough I was but that act doesn’t last. Pushing the pain below the surface so no one can see it is exhausting. We take a lot of strength from our parents, so when you lose one of them, it’s crushing.

Sometimes, you will be doing OK and managing your grief, when something catches you off guard. And then suddenly a surge of powerful emotion hits you like a tidal wave.

​For me I think the most challenging times have been when something has reminded me of my dad. The difference seven years later is my tears well up but so does a smile. It is a beautiful experience and I think about both my mom and dad and then I am OK until it happens again.

Someday’s I think I should be past this by now and I don’t know why I still cry at random times, all these years later but it is ok. As I am writing this it becomes one of those moments. Tears and a smile.

I miss my parents so much but I am I’m grateful they both touched my life in such a powerful and beautiful way.
​
Love you DAD!

Don't downgrade your dream to fit your reality.
Upgrade your conviction to match your destiny.
Author Unknown

by Wesley Simpson

The Perfect Sofa.

Manifesting the life you want is like ordering the perfect sofa. You can choose to have a cheap one fits all next-day delivery or you can choose to understand that if you want your dream bespoke sofa that matches your perfectly designed interior and vision, things might take a little longer, and you might have to focus and work a little harder.

The same applies to your life, work, health and relationships.
​
Remember, when things are falling apart, they might be falling together. Sometimes you lose, and sometimes you learn. But keep going.

by Skip Cohen

​It's Sunday, and I'm getting a little help from a good buddy in the UK, Wesley Simpson. And while I did try and track him down on the other side of the world to ask permission, I decided to go ahead and share it anyway.

He posed these three shots yesterday on Facebook with his post above, and I loved how to the point he was. Then, I did a little fishing on my own for the two quotes.

Most of us need to spend more time visualizing our dreams. But then, things get busy, life gets in the way, and suddenly a front and center goal is on the back burner with the heat on low!

Wesley and I have never really met. We've been following each other on Facebook for years. In February, he won Wedding Photographer of the Year 2022 and Wedding Photographer of the Year North West at The English Wedding Awards. We catch up on short IMs now and then, and I'm hoping one of these days, he shows up on my doorstep here in Florida. 

And here's my two-part point this Sunday morning - First, never let anything or anyone stand in the way of chasing your dreams. Take some time today and dig a few of those dreams out of storage - we've all got them, often allowing time to bury them under what we think is reality.

​Second, the world has become a tiny place thanks to social media. It doesn't matter that Wesley and I have never had a beer together - the friendship is built on a foundation of respect and admiration. And today, when I needed a little help, his post was right there for me! 

And for those of you who are part of the more senior crowd...

You're never too old to set another goal or dream a new dream.
Clive S. Lewis

Wishing everybody a perfect day ahead. The kind where you get time with the people most important to you. And make it a goal to find time for the most important person in your life...YOU! You need time to feed your soul in order to be there for everyone you love. Always go for those eleven-second hugs with those special people - you'll feel the therapeutic action right around the seven-second mark!

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

by Skip Cohen

​It's Sunday, and as usual, I'm miles away from my typical marketing and business topics. This is my day to recharge and remember there's a whole world out having nothing to do with photography. Yet, it's ironic because I often need photographs to make my point. 

Halloween is tomorrow. It would be my Dad's 100th birthday, but that's not my point. For me, Halloween marks the kickoff of a long series of great traditions, some old and some new. On the more vintage side is dressing up for Halloween. The cowboy shot was when I was five. Today an outfit like that would get my parents arrested, and me sent to CPS! The spaceman suit was when I was nine - there was no Star Wars, just spacemen.

Last but not least, the Viking was just a few years ago. The costume is pretty amazing and thanks to the salesforce back in Hasselblad days. It brings back its own collection of memories. And Dad's costume as Michelangelo's "David" I just used for a neighborhood party last weekend.

​There's candy in the house in the traditional Halloween bowl with our favorites deep at the bottom in the hopes that we don't get enough kids, and Sheila and I are left with a few. Why does our thought process work this way? We could easily pick up candy at any time of the year, the week, or the day. But we don't - and it wouldn't taste as good. LOL

Then there are new traditions - for example, Sheila and I have a blast decorating through the holidays, and Halloween is no exception. Our front porch is set up with pumpkins, a ghost, a flying witch, bats, and spiders. Inside the house, there are elements that scream Halloween everywhere. As a kid, we never did anything but put Sheila and me together in a store like HomeGoods, and there's a whole collection of themed decorations headed home.

So, it starts with Halloween and rolls into Thanksgiving and right through the December holidays and New Years. All along the way, there are memories that flow as easily as turning on the kitchen faucet. And with each story, which we've shared with each other so many times in the past, it's as if we've never heard them before. From recipes to decorations to stories and laughs - it's simply a fantastic time of year.

And that hits my point - whatever traditions you have in your family, savor each memory. Share the stories, enjoy the flashbacks and recognize the business most of us are in. While we help people capture memories and turn the intangible tangible, we're self-serving, capturing our own memories and creating traditions that last a lifetime.

Wishing everybody a day ahead filled with those traditions that give you the biggest smile. This is a time of year when nothing beats a look in your rearview mirror. And always go for those eleven-second hugs with those you love who have become part of the traditions in your life.

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

by Skip Cohen

​As everyone who follows my Reflections posts knows - I always run amuck from business and marketing on Sundays. It's my way of reminding myself there's a whole world out there, not just my in-a-bubble universe.

The world has become a pretty screwed-up place. We're all frustrated with the challenges humanity continues to create, and then along comes Mother Nature to add her touch to the mix of sadness and pain. And I've noticed our own private worlds are nothing more than mini-versions of the rest of the world. 

But here's what seems to help me a lot...It's not always easy, but I try to stay focused on joy - all the good things in my life. When I was a kid learning to drive, my Dad told me to "just watch the left front fender." He only wanted me to focus on where I was on the road. Well, I've taken that and, over the years, tried my best to stay focused on what really matters.

I've written you can't create images that tug at people's hearts if your own heart isn't in it. Well, you can't be there for your friends when they need help if you're not maintaining your own emotional health...and there it is again, learning to cherish joy.

This morning before writing this, I read Melody Beattie's thought for the day, "Cherish Joy."

Joy is not a fleeting emotion based on outward circumstances, a transitory feeling of the moment, a reaction to the scenery around you...Joy is a runoff from the wellspring within you. And sometimes it is a delightful, surprising contrast to the scenery around you.

Embrace joy. Relish it. Even if those around you don't have it right now, you can feel your joy. You don't have to be disrespectful of their feelings, nor do you have to let their lack of joy diminish yours.

Cherish joy. It's your treasure. You've found it. You've earned it. It's yours.

And there's my point - no matter what you're going through, choose joy. Dig deep because your heart deserves a break, and you can't help the people who need you most without an appreciation for simply being here. Joy is about delight, happiness, jubilation, triumph, and glee...pick one!

Wishing everybody a day ahead where you can choose joy over whatever you might usually feel. Put away your frustrations with the world, and beat them at their own game. Cherish the people you love the most and be there for those who need you the most - but hang onto your own joy - it's your most valuable resource. Go for those eleven-second therapeutic hugs I always write about, especially with friends and loved ones who need them the most.

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

If you can't control the current of the river,
then don't fight it. Just go with the flow.
Anonymous

by Skip Cohen

​Sunday Morning Reflections is always about something on my mind outside of marketing and business. Well, this morning I woke up completely blank. I started to write this post three times and then gave up...until Sheila pushed me to stay on track with what's become a favorite Sunday tradition for both of us.

I think I've figured it out. I've underestimated the stress of the last few weeks. Hurricane Ian came blasting through, and we evacuated to the other side of the state and were safe. While it took six hours to get home (usually three), we came home to minimal damage. Since we've been home, we've cleaned things up and life is back to normal.

But throughout the entire time, I worried about keeping Sheila and the pups safe. And in those isolated moments when I wasn't worried about my family, I was wasting energy on the negative, preparing for the worst with our home. I'm grateful we're all okay, but that doesn't change the overwhelming sadness for thousands of "neighbors" just an hour south who lost everything. Our house is at 9 1/2 feet - had the storm turned just a couple of degrees north, it would have been Venice/Osprey/Sarasota in the news, not Ft. Myers, Cape Coral, Sanibel, and Captiva.

And here's my point - I'm feeling numb, apathetic, and anything but creative. Instead of fighting it, I realized I had to just go with the flow. I have to accept how I'm feeling instead of wishing I could take a happy pill. It's okay when we're off our game.

A few minutes ago, I stopped moping around, sat down, and played with the pups. The two of them share an oversized bed, and I crawled into it and started telling them, "You always jump in my bed - well, why can't I curl up in yours?" The two of them went nuts, trying to squeeze in with me. That short burst of laughter changed what I was feeling enough to write today's post.

If you just go with the flow, no matter what weird things happen along the way,
you always end up where you belong.
Tom Upton

Wishing everybody a day where you can go with the flow. Life is simply what it is, but it's how we deal with the challenges that make each of us unique. You don't need to go through anything alone, and that's where those therapeutic long hugs come in that I always write about. So, whatever you feel as I write this, go with it. And if you're offbeat a little, don't worry about it. 

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

When it comes to life, the critical thing is 
whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude.
G.K.Chesterton

by Skip Cohen
​
If you want to develop a keener sense of gratitude, appreciation, thankfulness, and simply feeling blessed - go through any kind of disaster. A week ago Friday, we arrived home after a mandatory evacuation for Hurricane Ian. Things are relatively back to normal for us, but not for thousands of people south of us.

From friends who still don't have power to those whose homes were completely leveled and who lost lives, it's an experience so beyond humbling that I don't know what to call it. And while we were lucky, it doesn't change the concern that less than thirty minutes away, it will be years before there's any sense of normalcy.

If you've followed me for even a few Sunday Morning Reflections posts, you already know I write with my heart and rarely about business and marketing. But honestly, I don't know how to describe my feelings. I hug Shiela and the pups a little tighter than usual; I wander around my yard and our neighborhood with an appreciation for still having a place to walk; I find myself incredibly sappy with so many friends who have checked in to see if we're okay.

I have noticed a greater appreciation for how little "stuff" really matters. We spend our lives accumulating things that don't really matter when the only things that mean anything are those people (and pets) who own a piece of real estate in your heart. It's that piece of each of us that no outside force can touch.

We were out to dinner last night with a wonderful friend, who we love dearly. She lost her husband and our good friend over a year ago. I wrote a post about it. While Frank is gone, it doesn't change how important she is to us or the feeling of Frank's presence at the table.

And here's my point - pay attention to what's truly important in your life. If you look closely enough, you'll find the key to success is in the people who make you smile from the inside out. These are the people who represent the foundation of who you are and build your love for life.

Sadly, it took a disaster like the last couple of weeks to sharpen my sense of gratitude, but I suppose that's simply how life is. We all get caught up in the rat race, and we miss the point along the way.

The best things in life are the people we love,
the places we've seen and the memories we've made along the way.
Anonymous  

Wishing everybody a day ahead to make some great memories with people you love. They don't have to be big events, just times when you open your heart and recognize how much you have to be grateful for - regardless of whatever pain you might be in. Those eleven-second therapeutic hugs I've been suggesting for years were never more important than today.

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

Time flies when you're in the place you're meant to be.
Anonymous

​by Skip Cohen

It's Sunday, and as ALWAYS - I'm jumping the rails and going off track from business and marketing. But as usual, hopefully not far from something you can identify with.

I'm amazed at how fast time flies. Losing one of my very dearest friends this past week, Duncan MacNab, I found myself looking back on so many incredible memories over a thirty-five-year friendship - and they seemed to have happened in a blink of an eye. This is why I love our industry. All my photographs are now cherished mile-markers along life's journey. But today's post isn't about missing a good buddy.

We all know the line about time flies when you're having a good time. The older you get, the faster it all seems to go by. But I've also noticed a lot of influence from the outside world speeding things up:

• A week ago, Costco had an entire aisle of holiday decorations, including Christmas trees!
• The number of catalogs is now running 3-6 daily in snail mail. The world wants us to order earlier each year as every company fights for our attention.
• The ads coming up on my Facebook notifications page have increased dramatically, and it's everything from watches to clothes to lobster tails. I get that FB tracks everything I've ever looked at, but I didn't realize how much it caught my attention until it was presented.

Then there are things in our own house that contribute to the hands of the clock spinning even faster. The puppies turned three this summer - just like watching your kids grow - we don't know where the time went. And we're already planning our trip to Nashville in January for IUSA and thinking about so many friends we want time with, and the list goes on and on.

But the true measure of how fast time flies might be finally watching Game of Thrones. We were out of things we wanted to watch, and our kids had given us the 8-volume set of DVDs. We never got into the series initially, and today we'll start season seven. By Wednesday, when our favorites come back on the air, we will have completed all 80 episodes in just two weeks!

It's not bad that time has flown by - just that it goes so fast. There's nothing more precious than time, and there's no way to slow it down. You don't have to do something every minute of every day, and it's okay to kick back and daydream. Getting off-track a little and bringing in another topic today - daydreaming is simply advanced planning.

Day dreaming heals the heart, soothes the soul
and strengthens the imagination.
Richelle Goodrich

And here's my point - you can't stop the clock. But you can make every minute count and that doesn't mean you have to change the world. You just need to sustain things that make you happy. So whether it's for your own soul right now or building a stash of memories for the "winter,"  take the time to day dream when you need it. Enjoy every minute with those people most important in your life. Go for those eleven-second hugs I always write about and now and then do a random inventory of great memories, people you miss and everyone who's helped make you who you are today!

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