03Aug 2019 by CJ
Mowing the grass – 3 really good reasons to keep on doing it

Mowing the grass – 3 really good reasons to keep on doing it

Information & Education, Life & Living, Youth
I’ve been mowing the grass since I was about twelve-years-old, when my father finally deemed me tall enough to push our gas-powered lawn mower on my own. Soon, every Saturday and throughout my summer vacation, keeping our lawn perfectly manicured was now my job. While this might sound a bit like child labor to you, in truth it provided me with a sense of responsibility and even helped me build the strong worth ethic I still have today. Fast forward a few years and not only was I mowing my parents’ grass, but my grandparents on occasion as well. Though admittedly I never really minded mowing their lawn for my grandmother would always dote on me and feed me something wonderful afterwards. But I digress. I’m now 44 years old…
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12Jun 2019 by CJ
Identity is not about your roles but who you are

Identity is not about your roles but who you are

Life & Living
“Your identity, since birth, has remained unchanged. Your roles never have and never will define your identity. You may think they do, but they don’t. It’s difficult to separate your identity from your role, but it’s important to see that there’s a difference.” ― David Sandler, You Can't Teach a Kid to Ride a Bike at a Seminar, 2nd Edition: Sandler Training's 7-Step System for Successful Selling Today, during an all-day sales training on The Sandler Sales Method, we learned about something called “The I/R Theory” – I/R standing for Identity and Role. I had never heard of this theory. But after the seasoned moderator began reviewing the material, I soon realized that this theory was actually a very important lesson in a person’s overall self-esteem. Think about this exercise. Close…
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29May 2019 by CJ
Gardening really is good for your health

Gardening really is good for your health

Life & Living
Gardening has always been known to be good for our mental health. It gives us a sense of responsibility, allows us to be nurturers, connects us with other living things, and to no surprise, helps us to relax. But a recent study conducted around the globe by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found that gardening has some significant physical health benefits as well. Conducted over an eleven-year period with nearly 90,000 participants, it was revealed that gardening anywhere between 10 and 59 minutes per week led to an 18 percent lower risk of dying during the survey period. Moreover, those spending even more time outdoors enjoying the sun, soil and plants decreased the risk of dying to 31 percent based on 150 to 299 minutes of gardening…
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18Apr 2019 by CJ
Who we are is not a destination but a journey

Who we are is not a destination but a journey

Life & Living
“Somehow, we'll find it. The balance between whom we wish to be and whom we need to be. But for now, we simply have to be satisfied with who we are.” ― Brandon Sanderson, The Hero of Ages Who we are is not definitive. Unforeseen challenges and personal discoveries are a consistent part of everyone’s life, and both conspire to heavily influence who we ultimately are at any given stage. Many people believe that once you begin to figure out who you are, typically when you’re in your late teens, you’ll remain that person for the rest of your existence. Could you imagine your eighteen-year-old self being prepared for the responsibilities of adulthood without some kind of change in mind and spirit? No, you probably can’t. Which is why who we are…
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21Jan 2019 by CJ
Masculinity stereotypes are not something you’re born with, it’s something you learn

Masculinity stereotypes are not something you’re born with, it’s something you learn

Life & Living, Youth
The APA (American Psychological Association) recently did something quite historic in my opinion.  After more than 40 years of research and 127 years in existence, they’re issuing a warning against “masculinity ideology” – the misguided stereotypes parents instill on young boys during development. Entitled Guidelines for the Psychological Practice with Boys and Men, it’s the first report of its kind designed to help practitioners guide their young male patients through “social forces that can harm their mental health”. Why it’s so important Jared Skillings, a psychologist and the APAs Chief of Professional Practice says, "Masculinity ideology was important to highlight because it represents a set of characteristics that are unhealthy for men — men who are sexist or violent or don’t take care of themselves.” Before you dismiss your role in…
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