11Oct 2013 by CJ

Memories – a way of holding on to the ones we love

Love & Relationships, Youth
“Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.” Dr. Seuss As the morning sun poured through my bedroom window, I fully expected it to be any ordinary Tuesday. I went downstairs, waved goodbye to my wife as she drove off to work, and started my weekday morning rituals with no trepidation for the future. I poured myself a cup of coffee and placed two slices of bread into the toaster when suddenly the phone began to ring. Truthfully it surprised me, startled me even, for I rarely if ever receive calls at that hour of the day. I knew immediately something was wrong. It was my aunt, and I instantly froze where I stood. I didn’t have to pick up the phone to know that my beloved grandmother was…
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04Oct 2013 by CJ

Always just be yourself in any relationship

Love & Relationships, Youth
“He who trims himself to suit everyone will soon whittle himself away.” Raymond Hull The key to any solid relationship is unconditionally loving and respecting someone for exactly who they are - not what you hope to change them into. More and more I see people so desperate to be in a relationship, that they’re willing to compromise themselves to varying degrees – all in an effort to fit within someone else’s confines, rather than your own. As a happily married man for the last 12 years, I can tell you that compromise is a very important part of any relationship. But there’s a big difference between compromising and sacrificing the person you really are to gain the affections of someone else. I offer the following words to live by:…
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23Aug 2013 by CJ

Marriage shouldn’t be a chore, but a gift

Love & Relationships
I guess one could say that my wife and I are an “old married couple” now. It’s been 12 years since we exchanged our vows in a garden ceremony, on a sunny Spring afternoon. And while a lot has changed since then, not only in the world but in our lives, our relationship seems to grow stronger as the year’s progress – regardless of the challenges that come along the way. Unlike many of my male counterparts, I don’t view marriage as a burden – a prison sentence which forces you to relinquish who you were before you said “I do”. I look at it as a pairing of two souls – an intimate connection, which often can’t be described, defined or understood by those outside the relationship. In truth…
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02Aug 2013 by CJ

During times of sorrow, remember that this too shall pass

Love & Relationships
In the hopes of cheering up a very dear friend, I recently passed along the following words of wisdom - which I happily share with you today. “This too, shall pass. When things are bad, remember: It won’t always be this way. Take one day at a time. When things are good, remember: It won’t always be this way. Enjoy every great moment.” Doe Zantamata Isn’t that wonderful? I think it’s important to remember that in life nothing is constant. Times filled with infinite joy are almost always followed by some kind of sorrow or anguish, which seems never ending in its assault. It’s during these times of despair when it can be difficult to believe that better days are ahead. That the struggles we all must endure serve to…
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30Jul 2013 by CJ

If someone truly loves you, you’ve been given the greatest gift

Love & Relationships
Isn’t it funny how our emotional state often fluctuates like a roller coaster – up and down with little warning? Over the last few days I just feel kind of blah. There’s nothing wrong with me physically – no glaring problems to speak of at home or a work. I just feel a little down – which means emotional songs filled with sadness are rotating on my iPod. I guess you could say I’m feeling a little numb emotionally. Stuck in limbo it would seem between reality and this foggy area that doesn’t necessarily make me sad, but it isn’t making me happy either. But that all seems to change when I catch a glimpse of my wife’s smile. She truly must possess some kind of magical powers because around…
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