06Mar 2016 by CJ

Just be happy – you have more reasons than you think

Generosity & Kindness, Life & Living
"Now and then it's good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy." - Guillaume Apollinaire I realized the other day that we spend so much time "trying" to be happy, that we forget about all the little things that already provide our lives with joy. Simple things like sitting on the back porch on a beautiful sunny day - lost in a sea of nothingness, as you allow yourself to just be happy in the wonders of nature. My wife and I did this just this morning over a cup of coffee and the sound of birds chirping in the background. Or watching a young child play superhero in the backyard - engulfed in a world of pretend, while entertaining their spirit of imagination. Watching my…
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02Mar 2016 by CJ

The storms along the journey are guidelines

Life & Living
“Once the storm is over, you won’t remember how you made it through, how you managed to survive. You won’t even be sure whether the storm is really over. But one thing is certain: When you come out of the storm, you won’t be the same person who walked in. That’s what this storm’s all about.” – Haruki Murakami There are times when I’m still disheartened by the way certain parts of my life have turned out. When we’re young, and filled with hope and optimism, we never dream of the hardships which might befall us. We just keep on living and believing that life will be as we imagine it inside our heads. But life doesn’t quite work out that way. Even what’s perceived to be the happiest of…
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25Feb 2016 by CJ

Employee fairness should be something we expect

Life & Living
“Always treat your employees exactly as you want them to treat your best customers.” – Stephen R. Covey I thought about this quote today after hearing two stories regarding employee relations – more specifically on the subject of fairness. In my mind, here are the facts: Life has never been, nor will it ever be truly “fair”. In any line of work, there will always be those who work harder than most, and others who do a great job pretending they do. It doesn’t take a nuclear physicist to conclude the two points I mention above. The only research that’s needed is employment, because sadly every organization has yet to realize that treating employees fairly is a sign of good management. Management and leadership expert, F. John Reh, once said, “When…
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22Feb 2016 by CJ

Judgements are not just for others, but for ourselves

Life & Living, Youth
“We should be rigorous in judging ourselves and gracious in judging others.” – John Wesley What does it say about a person who’s quick to judge and condemn others, but rarely turns the magnifying glass on themselves? I’m guilty as charged I’m afraid – to some extent we all are. Far too often, my high ideals leave me in continually judgement when they aren’t met by those closest to me. I have no more right to judge others on what’s right or wrong than anyone else in this world, and yet it’s so easy to fall into that trap day in and day out. I sometimes wonder if we’re afraid to pass judgement on ourselves – afraid to see the inequities and insecurities that live deep within us all. For…
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18Feb 2016 by CJ

A home is made of love not bricks

Life & Living
“There is nothing like staying at home, for real comfort.” – Jane Austen Today I realized that “home” is such an amazing place to return to. Yes, there’s no denying my admiration for my current dwelling place. But to tell you the truth, I admired my first home pretty much the same way I admire my new one (the most recent is 15 years old; the latter was 91 years old). The reason is simple really – it’s not the “house” and all its furnishings and decorations which truly make it feel like “home”. No, it’s the person I live there with. I can say with complete honesty and sincerity that no matter where I may purchase a house over the course of my lifetime, it’s my wonderful wife who…
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