16Nov 2012 by CJ

When we try to control things we only alienate others

Life & Living
Have you ever found yourself around people who need to control everything? They ask for your opinion and even your assistance, only to turn around and do what they wanted to do all along. Seems like an incredible waste of people’s time, don’t you think? I never really understood where this need to “control” things comes from. Does it stem from personal insecurities or from a need to always prove that you’re better than everyone else? It seems a sad life really – a life void of any connections or collaborations for fear that someone else might upstage or outshine you. Teamwork breeds wonderful ideas. That sharing inspires creativity, passion and enables you to learn something you might not have known before. Remember, “When we try to control, we become…
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14Nov 2012 by CJ

There’s something to be said for a life coach help

Life & Living
I first became acquainted with the term “life coach” back in college when a classmate and I, at the suggestion of our psychology professor, attended a lecture being conducted by such an individual. For those unfamiliar with the term life coach, which is also referred to as a “personal coach”, these professionals often treat relatively healthy people who are simply looking to improve the ways in which they live their lives. Differing greatly from therapy, their focus is on the present moment rather than the future or the past – helping clients improve their careers, health, relationships and self-understanding. As a young twenty-something still finding his place in the world, I was familiar with fitness coaches, dance coaches and even coaches for mastering the SAT’s. But a coach designed to…
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12Nov 2012 by CJ

Visit the elderly before they find themselves in a rehabilitation center

Generosity & Kindness, Life & Living, Love & Relationships
My 92 year old grandmother took a little tumble recently – forcing her to set up residency at a heavily populated rehabilitation center in northern New Jersey. Up until now she’s been able to live at home with the assistance of a health care aid – not bad for someone in their nineties! But she was always far from happy as she spent much of that time alone without the company of family and friends to alleviate the silence, which has become commonplace in her life. What a sad reality that you manage to live some 90 years on this earth, and yet few people come around to marvel at the accomplishment. But ever since my grandmother settled in to the rehabilitation center, I’ve noticed an increase in her visitors…
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08Nov 2012 by CJ

The way in which you conduct yourself is an example of leadership

Information & Education, Life & Living
From politicians to employers to heads of households – every one of us has a basic understanding of what an example of leadership truly is. For many of us however, I think we have the wrong impression. When we think of someone being the “leader” we often think of descriptive words like dominance, control, power and sometimes even fear. But a true, effective leader comprises much more than that, and Jim Rohn sums it up best. "The challenge of leadership is to be strong, but not rude; be kind, but not weak; be bold, but not bully; be thoughtful, but not lazy; be humble, but not timid; be proud, but not arrogant; have humor, but without folly." Sadly we won’t stumble upon many such individuals who understand this balance as…
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07Nov 2012 by CJ

Social assumptions can often do more harm than good

Life & Living
I maintain my company’s Facebook page – often trying to keep the content inspiring and lighthearted in an otherwise demoralizing society ripe with social assumptions. With the prediction of snow in and around the east coast, I posted the following passage: The weather stations are all predicting SNOW for the tri-state area. The first snowfall can be beautiful - especially enjoyed by an open fire engaging in meaningless conversation with someone you hold dear. Now you all have a plan for tonight. And if you don't have a fireplace, light a whole bunch of candles - the flickering flames will still do the trick. One young gentlemen fired back at me saying “it’s obvious you guys don’t care about poor people…talking about enjoying time in front of a fire place.”…
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