By Janet Coulter, MSN, MS, RN, CCM, FCM

Summertime always makes me think about going to Jimmy Buffett concerts! Yes, I am a parrot head – and proud of it! I have often sung "Cheeseburger in Paradise" at the top of my lungs! I'll take mine with lettuce, tomato, Heinz 57, and French-fried potatoes. Great memories. His music transports me to my own paradise on a sunny, tropical beach, sand under my feet and waves crashing on the shore. I imagine Jimmy singing about Mother Ocean, sailing, and one harbor so far yet near. I might even catch myself singing "Fins to the Left and Fins to the Right." Jimmy inspired me when I had a blowout in my flip-flop and my brown-eyed girls (my daughters). Thanks to Jimmy, I know it will be all right by Monday. But I still don't know where I'm gonna go when the volcano blows.  

Jimmy Buffett was a legendary singer-songwriter, author, and businessman. His music career spanned over five decades. His songs were infused with humor and vivid imagery. They paint a picture of a sun-drenched beach or sailing in the Caribbean. He was also dedicated to preserving marine life and promoting coastal conservation. He made thirty-one albums. In addition, he wrote four Number 1 books on the The New York Times Best-Seller list, two children's books and two plays. His concerts were festivals which always included tailgating, wearing crazy beach-inspired costumes, happy hour, beach balls bouncing through the audience, and loud sing-alongs! For many, attending his concerts was a yearly tradition marking a celebration of summer fun.  

Jimmy had many pearls of wisdom and good-humored quips. His quotes are fun and inspiring. One of my favorites is "If we couldn't laugh, we would all go insane." Another favorite is "We've gotta roll with the punches, learn to play all of our hunches, make the best of whatever comes your way."  "It takes no more time to see the good side of life than it takes to see the bad" is a great attitude! ("Best Jimmy Buffett Quotes & Song Lines | Trop Rockin") This is another great quote: "Life is much more manageable when thought of as a scavenger hunt as opposed to a surprise party." ("Quote by Jimmy Buffett: "Searching is half the fun: life is much more ...") 

As case managers, we sometimes forget to relax and enjoy the little things. We need to savor life's simple pleasures like listening to our favorite songs. Remember, as Jimmy said, nothing remains quite the same. Take care of yourself and enjoy the day. Do the things you want. Live your life to the fullest. Make memories. Love what you do as a case manager. Apply a little Jimmy Buffet philosophy: "Laugh till you cry, cry till you smile" and "With a little love and luck, we will get by." ("50 Best Jimmy Buffett Quotes – The Random Vibez") 

Jimmy had a margarita state of mind. He symbolized a happy, carefree lifestyle with the backdrop of a beach and a taste of escapism. He was a dreamer of dreams. In one of his songs, he sang: "Some of it may be magic, some of it may be tragic but I had a good life all the way." I hope the spirit of "Margaritaville" will live on for generations to come. 

Here's to Jimmy Buffett, the legend. I hope he's enjoying a cheeseburger and margarita in paradise. His music and philosophy have left an indelible mark on us all, and for that, we are truly grateful. We will miss him, but his spirit will live on through his music and the memories he has given us. 

Bubbles up. 

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When: Oct 22- 24

Where: Live/Virtual via Zoom

Who: Case Managers of all levels

Elevate your case management skills with CMSA’s premier ICM Training! Dive into advanced strategies using the recently released Integrated Case Management manual (2nd Edition). This training includes self-study and interactive virtual sessions.

Bio: Janet Coulter, MSN, MS, RN, CCM, FCM is a transplant case manager with a wide variety of experiences including educator, administrator, team leader, and Director of Case Management. Janet holds a Master of Science in Nursing from West Virginia University and a Master of Science in Adult Education from Marshall University. She has published many articles in CMSA Today and the Professional Case Management Journal and served as a reviewer for the Core Curriculum for Case Management Third Edition. She currently serves as President of CMSA, Chair of the CMSA Today Editorial Board, Chair of the Nominations Committee, and Vice-President of the CMSA Foundation board. Janet was the recipient of the CMSA National Award of Service Excellence and Southern Ohio Valley CMSA Case Management Leadership award and was recently inducted as a Case Management Fellow from CMSA.