"If it wasn't for change, there'd be no butterflies!"

Change begins at the end of your comfort zone.
Roy T. Bennett

by Skip Cohen

Sunday Morning Reflections is always about me running amuck. I rarely write about anything related to marketing and business, although today touches on a challenge we all face from time to time - making changes. I've used that title before, but I had this great shot of a Tiger Swallowtail from our trip to Ohio a few weeks ago, and the quote is so relevant.

In terms of the shot itself, there's nothing unique, except it's harder to find a relatively young butterfly that's complete in all its glory and color. The top image is a female, while to the right, is a mature battered male. The location is along a little trail in Painesville, OH, right off the main drag. I shot it with a LUMIX G9 with the 14-140mm lens, and that's clean, right out of the camera. With the exception of cropping - there's no manipulation.

I made a decision this week regarding a big part of my career for the last eight-plus years, and one of the hats I wear. I decided it was time to do something different, and my co-host, Chamira Young, and I recorded my last Mind Your Own Business podcast, scheduled to run this week. At this point, I estimate Chamira and I have done 130+ podcasts, including Mind Your Own Business, Beyond Technique, and Tamron Recipes.

And here's my point - I have no idea what I'm going to do next; just like leaving Rangefinder/WPPI in 2009. I have no idea where the next butterfly will appear. I'm not tired of podcasting; just considering a new direction. How many times have you kicked back and said, "I need to mix things up a little?" 

Change is scary for all of us. Like a favorite pair of shoes or slippers, we get comfortable and don't want to break in a new pair. I know it sounds trite, but it's no different with our lives - most of us are creatures of habit and resist change. But there's that old line about when one door closes, another opens.

Wishing you an incredible day ahead and Labor Day if you're here in the U.S. Make it a weekend to appreciate everything and everyone in your life, but don't be afraid to walk through some new doors - you might just find your butterfly.

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

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