Is It Time to Stop Looking So Hard?

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by Skip Cohen

If you're new to this blog and looking for help marketing your photography, Sunday's the wrong day to think about business. I always go off-track on Sunday mornings, and it's as much for me as it is for you. There's too often a very thin line between the personal side of who we are and our business. On Sunday's I do my best to separate the two.

This morning I'm getting a little help from one of my favorite motivational authors, Melody Beattie. I haven't taken the time to read any of her books for a while. Being stuck on what to write about this morning is the direct result of minimal sleep, two puppies, and three weeks of craziness on both the business and personal side of my life. I've been in a rut, and while it's all understandable, that doesn't change the fact my smile muscles have atrophied!

Well, it's Melody to the rescue! I needed to start today the way I used to - reading something inspirational that had NOTHING to do with business. Turning to December 1, Melody wrote:

Many of us have been seeking diligently for the meaning of life, at least for the meaning of our lives. I thought I had found it when I began recovering from chemical dependency. Aha, I thought the meaning of life is to stay sober. Then along came codependency and my need to recover from those issues...

I have to paraphrase to make my point...She went on to talk about her search for the meaning of her life, and closed with:

One day, I stopped looking. It wasn't that I gave up. I gave in. I stopped waiting to win the spiritual lottery. Stopped trying to become enlightened. Stopped looking for that perfect soul mate. And started surrendering to and enjoying each moment of my life - just as it is.

That's when I found joy. Or maybe joy found me.

The key to enlightenment might be simpler than we think. We're here to experience joy. Look at each moment in your life and learn to say, "How sweet it is!"

And there it is, my point this morning. We all spend too much time looking for things we can't see. Yet, we know they're there. We lose faith in our abilities; start to doubt ourselves, and before we know it, we're in a rut.

So, whether it's success or whatever you think is the key to your happiness - stop looking for it! Sheila has the quote below framed on the wall in a corner of our bedroom - it's a constant reminder to believe.

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Faith...is  being sure of what you hope for and certain of what you do not see.

Wishing all of you a day filled with a feeling of accomplishment as you recognize your ability to experience joy and learn to say, "How sweet it is!" As always go for those long therapeutic hugs with the people who help you find that joy every day. They're a big part of the not so secret recipe to keep those smile muscles active.

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