06Mar 2013 by CJ

Overcoming anxiety – finally!

Life & Living, Youth
It’s taken me years…literally…but I’m happy to say that I think I’ve finally overcome my ongoing battle with severe anxiety. Whenever I’m challenged by a new experience or situation, I often find myself riddled with anxiety – and many years ago it was enough to cripple me emotionally and physically. But thankfully today I have a better understanding of my anxiety – what triggers it and how to go about controlling it. So much of my own anxiety was tied to childhood insecurities I carried into adulthood – often leaving me to question my character and my abilities in this life. But recently I started a new chapter in my personal history book, and was pleasantly surprised by something that was missing. Yes, there were butterflies in my stomach over…
Read More
05Mar 2013 by CJ

Heart vs. Head

Life & Living, Love & Relationships
Thank you Louise for this wonderful post...it couldn't be more fitting during this stage of my life. by Louise Jensen “If you want to become something, achieve something in life, then always listen to your heart.” Shahrukh Khan I was recently interviewed by Aimee du Fresne as part of her Fearless Friday Interview series. She was quizzing me regarding a monumental move I had recently made. "Did you think it would be so hard," she asked. "I didn't think at all," I perhaps, too honestly, blurted out. There are generally two types of people. Those who make heart led decisions, and those who rationalize, weigh up possible outcomes, and think everything through meticulously. Throughout my life I have always followed my heart without hesitation - I am extremely impulsive and…
Read More
03Mar 2013 by CJ

Change is inevitable – but it doesn’t have to always be a bad thing

Life & Living
Since the beginning of time, humanity has always shared one thing in common – change in unavoidable. The realization might not always be evident, but each and every day our lives are evolving in directions we never thought possible, and often the evolution is beyond our control. But change tends to get a bad reputation. Be it a relationship, a career or anything that involves making a long term commitment, change is not something we’re willing to adjust to, nor accept easily. We develop a sense of security in our lives, and sometimes we can’t always see the benefits altering our “comfort zone” could possibly bring. The dictionary defines “change” as “to alter; to give up for something else; to change one’s intention.” This altering can lead to great things.…
Read More
28Feb 2013 by CJ

Littering is NOT cool

Life & Living
Last night while waiting for a friend in a Starbucks parking lot, in a rather upper crust neighborhood I might add, I was quite literally shocked and disgusted by what I witnessed just a few car lengths ahead of me. I had taken notice of the pearl white Chevy Tahoe when it first pulled in the lot – probably because I’m not used to seeing a vehicle of that size being driven as though Mario Andretti were behind the wheel. To say they were going “fast” would be an understatement. After circling the lot several times, they eventually pulled into a space – oh wait I’m sorry, two spaces. When the driver emerged from the car, I noticed it was a female about five foot two, tan to a crisp,…
Read More
27Feb 2013 by CJ

Courage doesn’t always roar

Life & Living, Youth
I suspect few of us would classify ourselves as being “courageous” – me being one of them. I’ve never rescued anyone from the scene of an accident, or stood on the frontlines of battle during wartime. But then I began to wonder if acts of heroics were the only actions allowing someone to be classified as courageous? After doing a little digging, I came across this statement by Mary Anne Radmacher, which pretty much answered my question perfectly. “Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I'll try again tomorrow.” While I’m in no way discrediting the selfless individuals out there who risk their own lives for the protection of others, I know how difficult it can be sometimes to…
Read More