By Patti Parish-Kaminski, Publisher
A photo of me in my younger days on Mr. Kaminski’s bedside. I just tell him it’s a current pic. It’s all good.
I have adopted a catch phrase for 2026, a marketing message if you will. After all, if it’s good enough for the big boys, it’s good enough for me. Diet Coke, and regular Coke, I suppose, has launched a campaign where names are on the bottles and cans. Things like “Bro,” “Sis” or “Tammy” – you never know whose DC you’re drinking, but you’re drinking it nonetheless. And you’re just waiting for the day that you come across a can that has your name on it – spelled correctly – so you keep imbibing. Of course, I remember, “Have a Coke and a smile” from the early 1980s. The implication, of course, that you’re happy when you drink Coke. Works for me.
When you shop at Ulta, you quickly recognize their catch phrase: the possibilities are beautiful. The possibilities are also expensive, but they chose not to touch on that.
I confess when thinking through my personal marketing message, my initial focus was on recapturing my youth. I began this journey into yesteryear with a glimpse at my former body – pre-babies – and felt that was a great place to start. I looked at tai chi walking but quickly realized I would likely fall. I recalled my brief stint with wall pilates. That really hurt so that was out. Plus a lot of it happened on the floor, and then you have to focus on getting up. Not for me.
I landed on power walking at a brisk pace, but the weather wasn’t conducive to this particular activity unless I power walked indoors. I tried it. I went to the mall and various retail establishments to participate in this newfound activity. Didn’t work. I kept seeing shiny things that begged to come home with me, so I obliged. You personally don’t expend a great deal of energy waiting in check-out lines, but your credit card gets a workout. I’ll call that a wash.
I then decided my focus needed shifting, so I went to my face. I spent two weeks trying every cream, serum, lotion and concoction recommended by my friends at Amazon and Ticky Tok. I masked, I exfoliated, I peeled – I did it all. The results? Mr. Kaminski assured me I looked amazing, but of course, his eyesight is failing, which is a win for me.
Personally, I couldn’t tell any difference other than hours of my life spent on this endeavor – time I will never get back.
So, with these exercises in futility, I have landed on my perfect catch phrase for 2026: “You don’t have to be perfect to be powerful.” Yep, that’s what I’m going with – a message that celebrates me just as I am – flaws and all – and better yet, empowers me. And now, with all this extra time I have since I’m not working out and don’t spend hours on a beauty regimen, I’ve got all the time in the world to focus on my power. Y’all pray for Mr. Kaminski. He’ll need it. See y’all next week – on the porch!
Patti Parish-Kaminski
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