10Jan 2013 by CJ

I’m all for convenience, but at what cost to the environment?

Information & Education, Life & Living
In the almost 12 years that my wife and I have been living in marital bliss, she's gotten me to understand the importance of caring about the environment. Admittedly at first, I was hesitant to fully embrace her earth-saving ways. It’s funny really, so many of us deny our role in destroying the planet for the simple reason that we really have no desire to change the way in which we live – I was just as guilty. But when you sit down and educate yourself on just about anything you knew little about before, you begin to understand how your constant state of denial only adds to a growing problem – especially in the case of the environment. But American’s laziness is often the culprit when it comes to…
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08Jan 2013 by CJ

What was inside my lunch box was often cause for excitement

Information & Education, Life & Living, Youth
As children, many of us enjoyed eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches we pulled from our lunch box. I know I did. If you ever opened my Batman and Robin lunch box, there was a pretty good chance you’d find a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on Wonder Bread, wrapped in aluminum foil – next to my thermos filled with grape juice to wash it all down. Ah the simplicity of childhood – I miss those days sometimes. Days before the realities and responsibilities of life often weigh heavy on one’s spirit. I know it sounds crazy, but this 37 year old still enjoys a lunch of peanut butter and jelly, though my tastes have changed a little - as has my lunch box. Instead of grape jelly I use…
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02Jan 2013 by CJ

See the color “blue” like you’ve never seen before

Life & Living, Love & Relationships
I’m an avid music lover who’s a sucker for poignant, inspiring and heartwarming lyrics. "Never Saw Blue" is one of those songs. Typically when I stumble upon such a song, I often play it over and over again, be it in the car, going for a walk or on my computer at work. There’s something so spiritually powerful about the composition and orchestration combined that it leaves me in complete awe. I discovered such a song the other day, quite by accident, and I’m so glad that I did. The artist is a talented young woman from New Zealand named Hayley Westenra, and the song is titled “Never Saw Blue” – here’s a sampling of the lyrics: I can't believeA month ago I was aloneI didn't know you, I've never…
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26Dec 2012 by CJ

Accidents are part of life, taking responsibly is a sign of character

Life & Living, Youth
Accidents are a part of life. Like when I put one of my wife’s good pots in the dishwasher assuming it was dishwasher safe, or the time she dented one of our car rims when she got too close to the curb. Accidents are a part of life. Many times they’re not done maliciously to hurt another person, cause them any kind of grief or inconvenience. Sometimes they just happen like the examples I mentioned above. But the accident is made somewhat easier to digest when we take responsibility for our actions, rather than trying to cover them up as though they never happened. I recently found a vase of decorative grasses, which I brought from home, missing from my desk at work. I searched around my office, but was…
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20Dec 2012 by CJ

Envy is the most stupid of vices for there’s nothing you can gain from it

Generosity & Kindness, Life & Living
Over the last few weeks, I’ve found myself battling feelings of envy regarding so many facets of my life – my appearance, my social status, my wealth, my relationships with family and friends. This time of year may in fact be a time for hope and celebration, but it’s also a time for personal reflection – and many times we’re not always pleased with what we see. Wallowing in my own self pity is usually how I like to deal with these things. But it’s this self-defeatist attitude which only makes the situation worse. I once learned from a very wise woman, who has helped me through many personal struggles, that so many times our emotions are not grounded in reality, but rather the result of our own insecurities, envy…
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