03Dec 2013 by CJ

Simple holiday decorations bring more meaning to the season

Life & Living
It’s amazing how many holiday decorations one collects over the years. They’re often impulse purchases that are just “too cute” to pass up, but years later you find yourself asking “why did I buy this?” Over the last few years my wife and I have gone through our collection – eliminating a great deal of those impulse purchases. But they never go to waste as charitable organizations and family members typically benefit from these items that are still like-new, just not for us. But this year my wife and I went one step further by choosing to decorate our home – inside and out – minimally. Instead of adorning every square inch of our home with holiday decor, this year we picked a handful of favorite items and tastefully spread…
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25Nov 2013 by CJ

Practice the art of Thanksgiving all year long

Generosity & Kindness, Life & Living
“Let us remember that, as much has been given us, much will be expected from us, and that true homage comes from the heart as well as from the lips, and shows itself in deeds.”  Theodore Roosevelt In November of 1621, after their first successful corn harvest, Governor William Bradford organized a celebration. Comprised of struggling colony’s and their Native America allies, it was a day to come together to appreciate the bountiful foods before them - during a period of time filled with unending sacrifices and personal struggles. More importantly, it was a celebration of life and the people they were fortunate enough to still have around during a break from the harsh realities they had to endure. Americans today have little understanding of what it was like to…
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22Nov 2013 by CJ

Is it the government’s job to impose menu labeling regulations?

Life & Living
Many of you are probably unaware of the new menu-labeling regulations President Obama is spearheading through his “Obamacare” program. In short, the regulations would mandate that all restaurants include the calorie count of the items they serve in order to combat rising healthcare costs due to obesity in adults and children. A noble effort yes, but is it really the job of the government to play nutritionist? Obviously many restaurant owners are up in arms – especially those who will need to replace their existing menu board systems in favor of an application that will allow for continual updates. One Domino’s franchisee recently said, “To think that I have to deal with these things on the side, and continually have to be putting more money into things that are really…
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19Nov 2013 by CJ

Cherished memories are stored in the cupboard of the heart

Life & Living, Youth
I always enjoy looking at old photographs or listening to stories from the past – narrated by those who’ve experienced them first hand. This example comes from my in-laws – who once told how growing up they would walk around to neighboring houses on Thanksgiving Day, ring the doorbell and ask “Anything for Thanksgiving?” When they first told me this story, I thought perhaps they were confusing it with Halloween – where back in the late 1940’s the act of yelling “trick-or-treat” became a customary and popular tradition on October 31st. I mean what would people give you if asked “Anything for Thanksgiving?” A turkey leg? A can of cranberry sauce? Maybe a couple of dinner rolls? But my father-in-law, a master detective online, found they weren’t the only ones…
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14Nov 2013 by CJ

Say a candlelight prayer this weekend for those with Alzheimer’s disease

Life & Living
“You're so beautiful," said Alice. “I'm afraid of looking at you and not knowing who you are.” “I think that even if you don't know who I am someday, you'll still know that I love you.” “What if I see you, and I don't know that you're my daughter, and I don't know that you love me?” “Then, I'll tell you that I do, and you'll believe me.” From the book “Still Alice” by Lisa Genova It’s a sad reality, but chances are we all will know someone who’s been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. More than 5 million Americans are currently living with the disease and 15.4 million caregivers have provided more than 17.5 billion hours of unpaid care for them.* I’ve personally watched on as cherished family members have battled…
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