21Jun 2013 by CJ

Recognizing and appreciating what we have

Generosity & Kindness
Today was my grandmother’s funeral. As you can imagine it was a difficult time for me. Beyond simply dealing with the loss, I also had estranged family members to contend with. I’m happy to say that I truly surprised myself by remaining calm and collected – remembering that I was there for my grams, not for anyone else. While sitting at the church lost in my thoughts of her, instead of listening to the homily, I discovered something. It’s not the noteworthy things we do for others that truly matter as we journey through life. No, it’s all the little things and ordinary days together that we remember when they’re gone. Some might consider me unexciting, maybe even boring that I enjoy just spending time with people regardless of the…
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14May 2013 by CJ

Being grateful for what you have at home

Generosity & Kindness
This week I’ll be traveling for business - leaving the up and down temperatures of New Jersey for a 6 night, 7 day stay in the windy city of Chicago. And though this might sound impossible to some, this is only the second time I’ll be traveling alone in 16 years. The first was for a training seminar in the fun-filled city of Las Vegas – I was 22 years old and it was the first time I had ever been on an airplane. What can I tell you – I lead a sheltered life. My jobs rarely ever required me to travel for business. So much of my air travel was for pleasure, with my wife sitting beside me. And if you can believe it, this is only the…
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05Apr 2013 by CJ

The power of a kind word

Generosity & Kindness
What does it mean when someone doesn’t say “good morning” to you? Now I’m not talking about strangers you pass by on the street, but people you see repeatedly in your everyday life be it at work, in school or any repetitious situation. While I may not always be a morning person, it’s just common courtesy to extend someone the pleasantry of saying “good morning” at the start of a new day. Isn’t it? I’ve always believed that you should do something because YOU want to do it, not because you’re looking for something in return. But after a while you do have to ask yourself, why should I go out of my way to show kindness and respect to someone who obviously doesn’t have the time to offer it…
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19Mar 2013 by CJ

Learn to say “thank you” to those who deserve to hear it

Generosity & Kindness
Regardless of your age, we’re all still students in the classroom of life. The learning process is never over, unless of course you choose to ignore the lessons that are often presented to us on a daily basis. Something I’ve learned of late is that society has a very difficult time showing their appreciation – sharing a simple “thank you” to those who’ve unconditionally offered their kindness. While there might be an unwritten code that the actions we take in life should be for our own personal fulfillment, and not because we hope to reap something in return, every human being wants to feel appreciated for their generosity. G.B. Stern once said that, “Silent gratitude isn’t much use to anyone.” Too many times we assume that people know how much…
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21Jan 2013 by CJ

Cancer survivor offers a wonderful resource for patients and caregivers

Generosity & Kindness, Life & Living
Up until recently, the only thing I knew about Jeannine Walston was her mother – whom I had the great pleasure of working with for the better part of a year.  I’m happy to say that we’ve stayed in contact since my departure from the organization we shared in common, and that’s how I eventually came to learn about her daughter Jeannine and her incredible cancer journey. Mary Lou Kownacki once said that, “There isn’t anyone you couldn’t love once you’ve heard their story.” Isn’t it true that far too often our relationships are very superficial? We exchange pleasantries, but otherwise we shield ourselves from having to console or advise others on the struggles they deal with personally. Many times it’s those unheard stories which help us re-evaluate our own…
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