Don’t let yourself be a “joy-stealer” in life

Generosity & Kindness, Life & Living
“Watch out for the joy-stealers: gossip, criticism, complaining, faultfinding, and a negative, judgmental attitude.” - Joyce Meyer Here’s a question you’ve probably never asked yourself before – are you a joy-stealer? Are you that person that people eventually stop confiding in because of your uncanny ability to deflate every ounce of happiness from a situation (many times undeservingly)? Regardless of one’s situation or circumstance, we all possess opinions about the way in which others conduct their lives. It’s human nature I suppose to be critical of others based heavily on their contradictions of our own lives. While the majority of us have enough self-control (and etiquette for that matter) to simply contain our opinions, others have somehow managed to convince themselves that they are the authorities on what is and…
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A little boy’s death helps put life into perspective

Information & Education, Life & Living, Youth
Every now then you get passed all the sensational headlines today’s news outlets cram down your throat, and discover a story overflowing with sentiment. So much so that you can’t quite shake the profound impact it’s left upon your heart and in your mind. I recently came across such a story about a young boy name Cole. After reading his tale, told bravely by his father Tony, it left me with so many unanswered questions about life, religion, the universe and all the material possessions we believe are vital for our survival. Sadly, Cole died two and a half years ago from neuroblastoma - a common childhood cancer. He was just five years old at the time. When I came across the following paragraph, I was actually overwhelmed with tears…
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An envelope and a stamp used to be enough to apply for a job

Life & Living
As I continue to search for a meaningful job in the state of Colorado, I was recently asked by a would-be employer to create something using three objects: a pencil, a lemon and a 1957 Chevy. Remember the days when all you needed to do was submit your resume through the mail? Times certainly have changed. Anyway, here’s what I came up with. For decades, life has been compared to that cheerfully yellow citrus fruit people gather in clear jars as centerpieces or dangle on the side of a tall-glass of iced tea. Unfortunately for the lemon, that comparison is void of flatteries for as the saying goes, “when life gives you lemons…make lemonade!” Automobiles have also used that cheerfully yellow citrus fruit to describe a car that’s a “pile…
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Selfies – because nobody else wants to take your picture

Life & Living, Youth
Today I saw a t-shirt that made me laugh to myself. It read simply: “SELFIES…Because nobody else wants to take your picture.” Come on, that’s pretty funny! Selfies have become incredibly popular with teenagers, soccer moms and celebrities who sometimes pathetically ride the populous culture wave. What is this fascination with everyone snapping pictures of themselves (sometimes inappropriately for public viewing I might add)? Maybe the t-shirt is right…society is so insecure and longing for people’s attention that they feel the need to be thrust into a spotlight they’ve created for themselves. Forget about the fact that no one is an individual anymore – everyone has to do what everyone else is doing to stay relevant in society today. Sad actually. Reminds me of the Chinese proverb, “A wise man…
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True friendship is all about endurance

Life & Living, Youth
I moved from New Jersey to Colorado two months ago now, and yet it feels like a lifetime since my departure from the Garden State. And while it’s natural for human beings to easily get acclimated to their new surroundings after a period of time, what’s not easy is adjusting to how much you miss those cherished individuals who’ve regularly blessed your life with their presence. Richard Bach once said, “Don't be dismayed by good-byes. A farewell is necessary before you can meet again. And meeting again after moments or a lifetime is certain for those who are friends.” I’m overjoyed that one of my “friends” has arrived in Colorado! I’ve been a little lost here in my new state – with both my career and house hunt somewhat up…
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