08Sep 2014 by CJ

What example are YOU setting for today’s children?

Information & Education, Youth
By now I’m sure you’re all familiar with the popular ALS ice bucket challenge, which for the most part has had nothing but positive results for the cause. I say “for the most part” because with every act of kindness people do for the greater good of humanity, there are always those insensitive, self-gratifying individuals who find a way to disgrace the efforts of many. It seems a group of teenagers from Bay Village High School near Cleveland, Ohio used the “challenge” to pull a horrific prank on a very unsuspecting 14-year-old autistic student. If you’re not outraged by what you’re about to read, then I’m sorry to say you’re no better than the teenagers who instigated this prank. Instead of filling the bucket with the customary water and ice…
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05Sep 2014 by CJ

A little boy’s death helps put life into perspective

Information & Education, Life & Living, Youth
Every now then you get passed all the sensational headlines today’s news outlets cram down your throat, and discover a story overflowing with sentiment. So much so that you can’t quite shake the profound impact it’s left upon your heart and in your mind. I recently came across such a story about a young boy name Cole. After reading his tale, told bravely by his father Tony, it left me with so many unanswered questions about life, religion, the universe and all the material possessions we believe are vital for our survival. Sadly, Cole died two and a half years ago from neuroblastoma - a common childhood cancer. He was just five years old at the time. When I came across the following paragraph, I was actually overwhelmed with tears…
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18Aug 2014 by CJ

A lesson for all students on the first day of school

Information & Education, Life & Living, Youth
Isn’t it funny how time always seems to escape us? Aside from voting at my local school, I probably can count on one hand how many times I’ve stepped foot inside an educational institution since graduating college 17 years ago (yikes, it’s been that long?). School was never truly my forte – how ironic then that I find myself married to a high school teacher. As long as she doesn’t give me homework, we’re in good shape. And it’s because of my wife’s profession that I typically find myself walking the halls of the school she teaches in – there to lend a hand setting up her classroom before students fill her day with endless activity. It always amazes me how the interiors of schools always smell the same regardless…
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08May 2014 by CJ

Masculinity should be defined by MORE than just strength

Information & Education, Life & Living, Youth
Our society has long proclaimed what they believe comprises the measure of a man – courage and bravery; dominance and power; unfeeling and cold. These distinctions are nothing new however. From the dawn of the caveman to the ancient Romans to those roaming the earth this very day, men have continuously defined themselves by their strength, NOT their emotions. We see sensitivity and emotional expression as a flaw in the armor that protects the reputation of masculinity – often questioning any man who dances to the beat of a much different drum. I’ve personally spent years battling this stigma – always more in tune with my emotional side, rather than caring to support the antiquated beliefs of my gender. I’ve come to understand that the measure of one’s manhood goes…
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07May 2014 by CJ

Processed foods and rubber shoes should have nothing in common

Information & Education, Life & Living
Subway, one of the biggest bread makers in the world, recently removed a chemical from its bread recipe that’s typically used to increase elasticity in everything from yoga mats to rubber shoes to imitation leather. Soft drink giant Coca-Cola, following Pepsi’s lead, recently said it will begin removing brominated vegetable oil (BVO) from its drinks. BVO is a flame retardant often used on plastics and kids clothing. At times it’s almost unfathomable to think of how many chemical substances are allowed on the recipe cards of processed and fast foods. While the FDA might exist to protect the public’s health, I can’t help but wonder how they honestly believe examples like I’ve mentioned above will not negatively affect a person’s body over time. Are they simply naïve? Are they yet…
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