07Jan 2019 by CJ
Gift me a tree and inspire hope for the future

Gift me a tree and inspire hope for the future

Generosity & Kindness, Life & Living
“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” – Chinese proverb The gift-giving season is finally over to the surprise (and delight) of many. The stress of trying to find something people probably don’t need is finally over. I’ll make it easy – next year, gift me a tree. With age comes wisdom (in some cases) and with wisdom comes the understanding that material possessions start to mean less and less with the realization that life is not infinite. If you gift me a tree, it’s something I can actively nurture and grow – something that will bring great joy to myself, to my wildlife and even to Mother Nature as it grows from a sapling into maturity. Yes, trees do…
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20Dec 2018 by CJ
Being thankful of others is the greatest gift you can give them

Being thankful of others is the greatest gift you can give them

Generosity & Kindness
“Being thankful not only shows good manners, but a simple expression of thankfulness can go a long way in relationships and communication with others. It not only enhances our own lives, but makes other people feel appreciated.” - Daniella Whyte It’s taken me a long time to fully understand what’s important in this crazy world of ours. But just over the last few days, I think I finally figured it out. Being thankful. Both my wife and I each received unsolicited and unexpected messages of thanks from individuals we work closely with. They weren’t just cookie-cutter messages on thank you cards you purchase from the store. No, they were heartfelt and personal messages thanking us for being a part of their story. Many of us do for others with no…
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11Dec 2018 by CJ
Caregiver angels exist at Christmas and all year long

Caregiver angels exist at Christmas and all year long

Generosity & Kindness, Love & Relationships
“Caregiving often calls us to lean into love we didn't know possible.” - Tia Walker, The Inspired Caregiver: Finding Joy While Caring for Those You Love Over the last few days, I’ve been trying to craft a holiday-themed blog post with little success. Regardless of what I came up with, nothing seemed meaningful or poignant enough for the season. That was until I read this quote about being a caregiver. “Being a caregiver is a great honor but it’s also an incredibly stressful, ongoing experience. Still, it’s a privilege to take care of someone, especially someone who took care of you.” – Jim Gaffigan, actor and comedian, on caring for his wife Jeannie during her long road to recovery after suffering a brain tumor. Powerful words from a man who’s known for…
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20Nov 2018 by CJ
Thankful for all the things you can’t see or touch this year

Thankful for all the things you can’t see or touch this year

Generosity & Kindness, Life & Living
“Empty chairs. Missing loved ones. Lord, how their voices once filled the room, as their echoes fill it now.” - Mitch Albom During this time of year, many of us reflect on what we have to be thankful for. Oftentimes, we equate our thankfulness with “things” – tangible items we see with our eyes or can touch with our hands. While there are certainly “things” to be thankful for that fall under the category of basic necessities and even health, this year I find myself thankful for something much different – much more personal. This year, I’m thankful for something you can’t see with your eyes or touch with your hands. No, it’s something you FEEL in your heart. This year, I’m thankful for the memories. A frightening reality of…
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31Oct 2018 by CJ
Reaching out to others should be an act of selflessness

Reaching out to others should be an act of selflessness

Generosity & Kindness
“Reaching out and valuing other lives is the only way to be trusted and never forgotten.” ― Isabella Koldras When you’re reaching out to someone in your life (a friend, a family member, a colleague) how often is that communication selfless? Are you reaching out to discuss a situation or circumstance in your life, or are you genuinely making contact to show they are trusted and never forgotten? The way I see it, there are listeners and talkers in society – and lately I feel as though I’ve been straddling the line between the two. What I’ve discovered is that being the listener comes with drawbacks. The main one being when you’re reaching out to the talker for a comforting and safe environment to share your feelings, they’re rarely around to…
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