Sunday Morning Reflections - Celebrating Life

It's an old picture, but nothing beats celebrating our lives than a walk on the beach!

It's a typical Sunday morning, but getting here was truly a chore.  When I got the news about good buddy Bill Hurter, I was actually in the hospital with "chest pains". I guess it goes with the territory when you have a lousy family history. Joe Buissink once said, "You can hide from a lot of things, but not bad genes!" Well, it wound up not being serious, and I was back home a day later.  I had a lot of time to think about life, the way I work and my ability to have business totally consume me.  

For the first time in five years, I removed myself from social media. I simply needed a break and stayed out of my office. Well, I'm back, wiser and hopefully able to practice what I preach a little better. Burn-out is real, and we can only do the best we can do.

But here's what I wanted to share. In yesterday's post, the only thing I posted over the last few days, I talked about the importance of celebrating Bill's life instead of being sad over our loss of his presence.  Did I cry when I heard the news? Absolutely, but more because it had been so long since I talked to him. The tears were a moment of selfishness, but writing that post was therapeutic.

Bill was the finest and most diverse editor in the photographic industry. His passion was unmatched, and his diversity and understanding of so many different aspects of the industry made him brilliant. Those of us who were close to him need to celebrate his presence in our lives and the gift God gave us. Those of you who never knew him can join the celebration because it's thanks to his presence we have an amazing legacy today, especially in so many different aspects of wedding and portrait photography.

I've been thinking a lot about Bill and how lucky I am to have had the experience of working with him. He was a huge presence in my life, but just because he's physically no longer with us, won't change a thing in how much I loved the guy or smiling over so many terrific memories.

What's really important is when we lose somebody close to us, we don't forget to celebrate their life.

Make it a great day. As always, hug somebody special and don't forget the eleven-second rule. Celebrate your life today. Every day there are more reasons to smile!  Wishing everybody a wonderful Sunday.