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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17Dec 2012 by CJ

Superintendent of schools should be ashamed of herself

Information & Education, Life & Living, Youth
Our local newspaper recently ran a story on the front page headlined, "Superintendent gets $45K bonus". I’ve called the township of Lyndhurst, NJ home for over three decades. In that time I’ve seen some pretty interesting things when it comes to the political and educational forces controlling the town. The items below ranks right up there. I suspect I’m not alone when I say that Lyndhurst’s school superintendent, Tracey Marinelli, should be ashamed of herself - as should the Board of Education who’s supposed to serve the students before lining the pockets of its staff. As the husband of a Bergen County educator, I am not naïve to the workings of a public school system and the strains recently put on it under the leadership of Governor Christie. However, innovative…
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14Dec 2012 by CJ

Sandy Hook Elementary School Victims – our hearts are with you

Information & Education, Life & Living, Love & Relationships, Youth
My heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to the families of those who lost loved ones at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut today. My wife is a school teacher and I’d be a liar to say that every time I hear the mention of a school shooting, I cringe. I cannot imagine what those who lost someone near and dear to them must be going through – at Christmas time no less. What a truly senseless tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary. If the shooter wanted to take his own life, he certainly didn’t have to take anyone else’s in the process. This horrific crime just reinforces why it is so very important to live each and every day to the fullest. When you go home tonight, wrap…
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