31Oct 2012 by CJ

Hurricane Sandy sends us a warning about how fragile life truly is

Information & Education, Life & Living
It often takes something catastrophic to occur in the environments we live in for us to realize just how fragile and valuable life truly is. Hurricane Sandy has certainly been the impetus needed to remind us all of that reality. I find my mornings are now filled with an enormous amount of gratitude for the many blessings I’ve been bestowed – especially through one of the worst hurricanes the tri-state area has ever seen. I can’t help but feel that the cosmos is trying to send society a message – a message designed to rearrange what we deem so important in this life and focus on what should be our priorities. How many of us are infatuated with a materialistic lifestyle, which oftentimes leaves us in financial ruins just to…
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25Oct 2012 by CJ

Organic doesn’t mean that your food will taste any different

Information & Education, Life & Living
When my wife first told me of her interest in learning more about organic foods, I didn’t really give it much thought. An environmentalist at heart, she’s always been curious to learn about new products and services which promote a healthy lifestyle and improve the sustainability of our planet. But when I noticed a gallon of organic milk sitting on the top shelf of the refrigerator, I immediately blurted out, “That’s gonna taste weird!” I never did master the art of thinking before speaking, because if I did I would’ve understood how idiotic what I was saying truly sounded. In my defense, I don’t think I’m alone in my misconception of what it truly means to be “organic”. I think many of us simply don’t understand this popular new classification.…
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19Sep 2012 by CJ

The mysterious power of the fall is something most people understand

Information & Education, Life & Living
“The days may not be so bright and balmy—yet the quiet and melancholy that linger around them is fraught with glory. Over everything connected with autumn there lingers some golden spell—some unseen influence that penetrates the soul with its mysterious power.” Northern Advocate I love this time of year - the fall. The temperatures are finally tolerable enough to no longer require the assistance of air conditioners to feel comfortable. The outside air is becoming cool and crisp – forcing us to wrap ourselves tightly under sheets and blankets like moths inside a cocoon. While I love the summer months for walking along the beach or gardening out in the backyard, the fall is truly comforting to me. From the smells to the colors to the gatherings this time of…
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04Sep 2012 by CJ

Good teachers often leave a lasting impact on your life

Information & Education, Life & Living, Youth
“Good” Teachers by Charles Saydah is an editorial which surprised me. I suspected it would be much of the same – lumping a sea of respectable teachers in a pool of underachievers. But I’m happy to admit I was wrong. Saydah speaks of his English teacher back in the New York Public School System, Jacob Solovay, as “A supremely controlled man, his knowledge, kindness, generosity, supportiveness and patience appealed to his students. Our school had created a sophomore English class to develop writers and editors for the school paper. It must have been the ideal class for a teacher: motivated, smart kids engaged in a creative, mercantile task. As an adolescent, I sensed that it would be impossible to be a bad teacher under such conditions.” He and a few…
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03Sep 2012 by CJ

Watching less television will give you more time to do the things you put off

Information & Education, Life & Living
Did you ever think about how your life could change if you watched less television? Henry David Thoreau once said, “I cannot make my days longer so I strive to make them better.” To the chagrin of children around the country, a new school year is taking shape. The peaceful relaxation of summer months filled with abandonment have all but disappeared, and in its wake replaced with chaotic schedules that do nothing more than cause parents, students and teachers continual anxiety. But as Thoreau points out above, we cannot increase the length of our days – a desire which is simply beyond our control. However, we can impact the quality of our days and in turn the quality of our lives. And I truly believe that in order to impact…
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