26Aug 2014 by CJ

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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25Aug 2014 by CJ

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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18Aug 2014 by CJ

A lesson for all students on the first day of school

Information & Education, Life & Living, Youth
Isn’t it funny how time always seems to escape us? Aside from voting at my local school, I probably can count on one hand how many times I’ve stepped foot inside an educational institution since graduating college 17 years ago (yikes, it’s been that long?). School was never truly my forte – how ironic then that I find myself married to a high school teacher. As long as she doesn’t give me homework, we’re in good shape. And it’s because of my wife’s profession that I typically find myself walking the halls of the school she teaches in – there to lend a hand setting up her classroom before students fill her day with endless activity. It always amazes me how the interiors of schools always smell the same regardless…
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17Aug 2014 by CJ

It’s totally okay to be happy with a simple kind of life

Generosity & Kindness, Life & Living
“There was nothing wrong with being a homebody. There was nothing wrong with not wanting - not needing - the constant jostle and noise of a party or bar or... whatever.” ― Charles de Lint, Jack of Kinrowan The older I get, the more I realize that I’m a bit of a homebody. While I’m not averse to going outside of my house (I’m in no way a hermit), I find great comfort and delight in the simple pleasures of life, which are probably considered boring to much of society who’ve happily adopted a chaotic and frenzied lifestyle. I enjoy… Watching old movies at home - munching on a sweet or salty treat, while cuddled up with my sweetheart on the couch. Sitting outside on a beautiful evening with a…
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12Aug 2014 by CJ

He was able to make everyone else happy but himself – farewell Robin Williams

Life & Living
“That's the thing about depression: A human being can survive almost anything, as long as she sees the end in sight. But depression is so insidious, and it compounds daily, that it's impossible to ever see the end.” ― Elizabeth Wurtzel, Prozac Nation Today the world mourns the loss of an entertainment legend – Robin Williams. His incredible comedic, and at times, dramatic talents will live on forever in such memorable films as Dead Poets Society, The Birdcage and Mrs. Doubtfire to name but a few. He truly had an amazing legacy as an entertainer. Famed director Gary Marshall said of Williams passing, “He could make everybody happy but himself.” Williams was battling severe depression at the time of his death. Few people really understand what it means to be…
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