23Aug 2016 by CJ

Marriage is about compromise for success

Love & Relationships
“Marriage is about compromise; it's about doing something for the other person, even when you don't want to.” Nicholas Sparks The Wedding Of the few memories I have of my great-grandmother, one thing I clearly remember was the arduous relationship she had with my grandmother (her daughter-in-law). My grandmother was very easy to get along with, however, her mother-in-law was the true Italian matriarch – ruling over her roost with an iron fist. I always found that amusing, given the fact that she lived in a house dominated by males – her husband, my grandfather and his brother. Even so, she had lofty expectations for her children, and wasn’t pleased when each of her boys eventually put their wives ahead of her. Recognizing how difficult it continually was for my…
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27Apr 2016 by CJ

Reflect – what will you be remembered for?

Life & Living, Love & Relationships
This blog is for all those self-serving individuals of the world, who more than likely will have no idea this blog is all about them. Which is somewhat ironic given the fact that they think EVERYTHING is about them. I’m sure there are already people reading this saying, “he’s talking about people like my…(you fill in the blank)”. And that may be true. But I’m talking about you really…the ones who are so quick to pass judgement on others and rarely, if ever, take a long look in the mirror. This post all started after I came across this truly humbling quote by Dan Pearce in his book Single Dad Laughing. “The next time you want to withhold your help, or your love, or your support for another for whatever…
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19Apr 2016 by CJ

Food is an extension of one’s heart

Love & Relationships, Youth
“If you really want to make a friend, go to someone’s house and eat with him… the people who give you their food give you their heart.” - Cesar Chavez My grandmother loved to cooked. Come to think of it, what she really loved was to feed people. Not unlike other Italian-Americans, she took great pleasure in preparing a feast and then sharing it with someone special. In fact it didn’t matter what time of day it was, if you uttered the words “I’m a little hungry”, she’d be rummaging through the refrigerator or pantry to whip you up something you’d enjoy. I especially appreciated how she always took the time to plan and prepare food items she knew you’d enjoy. Some of my fondest memories of my grandmother were…
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16Feb 2016 by CJ

Lasting relationships are all about shared truths

Love & Relationships
“What draws people to be friends is that they see the same truth. They share it.” – C. S. Lewis The foundation of any great relationship is built upon a set of commonalities which enable the pair to navigate the uncharted waters of life – together. Platonic or romantic the equation is the same – as long as you both continue down the path of moral guidance, truth and love, anything is possible. But relationships rarely stay the same – or should I say people rarely do. Once they no longer share the same truths, it becomes impossible for the relationship to sustain on any level beyond superficiality. What’s perhaps most upsetting is how often people become so blind to their evolution. They say things like, “It’s not me, I…
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28Jan 2016 by CJ

A true connection is seen, heard, valued

Life & Living, Love & Relationships, Youth
“Connection is the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard and valued; when they can give and receive without judgment; and when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship.” - Brene Brown Seen…heard…valued. In my mind they are three incredibly powerful words which are the very foundation of all great and long-lasting relationships. That connection, that energy that two people can share is not something that comes along every day. In fact, I often wonder if there’s a possibility of one day it becoming completely extinct. I learned a long time ago that relationships (be them plutonic or intimate) require a great deal of effort in order to succeed. They need attention and care in order to develop and flourish into an invaluable resource for the…
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