30Sep 2014 by CJ

Making decisions is never easy – but see them as possibilities NOT stressors

Life & Living
I’m usually always the first one to have something inspiring and thought provoking to say about any particular subject. But it might come as a surprise to you to learn that I currently find myself somewhat unable to formulate anything profound into words. The subject is making decisions. I’m not talking about what to have for lunch or what color shirt to buy at the store. No, I’m talking about decisions that will have a direct, long-lasting impact on every facet of your life. I hate those decisions because far too often you just never know if you’re making the right one – continually second guessing yourself even after a decision has been made. It’s odd, but I feel like the older I get the harder it is to confidently…
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26Sep 2014 by CJ

One who always complains has a tough time being thankful

Generosity & Kindness, Life & Living
When was the last time you said “thank you” to someone? I don’t mean a half-hearted muttering of words with little appreciation to back them up. But an honest and sincere expression of two little words that can mean the difference between feeling taken advantage of and feeling loved and respected. Saying “thank you” is just good manners, wouldn’t you say? To recognize an act of kindness by another human being lets us know that we’re making a difference in someone’s life – that we’ve been influential and inspiring, sometimes when people need it most. But I realize life isn’t a Hallmark movie, and people rarely if ever behave with any kind of moral conduct and compassion towards those living around them. For some they believe they are the entitled…
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23Sep 2014 by CJ

Everything worth anything is worth waiting for

Life & Living
“And you know what I realize now? That we're all waiting on something, no matter where we are in life. It's the human condition.” - Melanie Shankle Growing up, I would always stand at the front door patiently waiting for my grandparents when I knew they were coming over. Whenever I’d see a set of headlights turning the corner at the top of our hill, I found myself excited over the possibility that it was them. I did this ritual so often that I could identify their car by the shape of their illuminated headlights, and the fact that my grandfather was leisurely driving down our one-lane street at 15 miles per hour. It might sound silly, but when they finally pulled into our driveway I felt the anxiety of…
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22Sep 2014 by CJ

When feeling down remember, this is temporary

Life & Living
For anyone who’s ever found themselves lost, alone and discouraged by the unforeseen challenges life continually hand us, it can be utterly impossible at times to believe that better days are coming. Humans seem to be wired to focus on the negatives in life – to overlook and underappreciate all the blessings we’ve been afforded as we swirl further and further into personal pity and despair. A friend of mine continually tells me that “this is temporary” whenever I’m feeling as though my life will never return to a feeling of fulfillment, prosperity and joy. However, that’s not so easy to remember when you feel as though your life is void of purpose and security. It can be frightening at times to look ahead and see nothing but a black…
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19Sep 2014 by CJ

If you don’t respect others, chances are you don’t respect yourself

Life & Living
“I’m not concerned with your liking or disliking me… All I ask is that you respect me as a human being.” – Jackie Robinson What would you say of a student who has utterly no respect for his teachers? A student who follows his or her own rules, answers to no one and often uses offensive and many times inappropriate language when addressing the head of his or her class? You might scratch your head wondering why so many children today seem to be entitled – unafraid of authority; disrespecting of anyone they don’t personally invite within their social circles. But the answer is easier than you might think, though good luck ever hearing politicians, school boards or students themselves brand this group as the culprits. I’m talking about parents.…
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