11Feb 2016 by CJ

Effective communication, is it really that hard?

Life & Living, Youth
“Every word has consequences. Every silence, too.” – Jean-Paul Sartre There’s a delicate balance which exists in the way we communicate. Some people lack a social filter – often saying whatever comes to their mind with little consideration of how those words might affect other people. Others are more comfortable staying silent – possessing a relevant and many times astute opinion, but refusing to share it with anyone around them. The place to be is somewhere in the middle really. Telling someone who spent much of the day preparing a meal from scratch that it wasn’t very good is not a constructive use of words (or a suggested reaction for newly married couples trying to impress their spouse). Sitting by idly with no opinion or feedback when someone is seeking…
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10Feb 2016 by CJ

Feeling down? Just grab a spoon!

Life & Living, Youth
“When I’m feeling down, I make myself a big bowl of Up Soup. The bowl only looks empty, but in reality it’s full of hope. Grab a spoon, there’s plenty for both of us.” — Jarod Kintz, A Zebra is the Piano of the Animal Kingdom Today was my “feeling down” day. That typically encompasses feelings of loss and loneliness from the past, not to mention frustration over current situations I’m simply unable to “fix” right now. I don’t wake up in the morning proclaiming that I’m going to start off my day feeling down, but people and circumstances beyond my own control often set those wheels in motion. It’s difficult to reframe your mindset – to refocus your attention on the many blessings your life’s been afforded, rather than…
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03Feb 2016 by CJ

Give to others as you’d want to receive

Youth
“Our job on earth isn't to criticize, reject, or judge. Our purpose is to offer a helping hand, compassion, and mercy. We are to do unto others as we hope they would do unto us.” — Dana Arcuri, Harvest of Hope: Living Victoriously Through Adversity, A 50-Day Devotional My knowledge of the bible is very limited, but I do know that the phrase “do unto others as we hope they would do unto us” is part of its teachings. Turns out it’s from Matthew 7:12 – thank you World Wide Web! It’s both a simplistic and profound statement, which many of us rarely think about as we go about our daily lives. The challenges and difficulties of life consume us – often preventing us from thinking about anyone else with…
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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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19Jan 2016 by CJ

Mistakes should never define your true value

Life & Living, Youth
“Have patience with all things, but first with yourself. Never confuse your mistakes with your value as a human being.” – St. Francis De Sales No one is perfect I’m not afraid to admit, with great certainty, that I’m not perfect. While striving for perfection in our careers, our relationships and our talents is noble, it’s an unattainable reality, which has driven countless individuals mad throughout history and destroyed its share of happy homes. Looking back on my life, I’ve made a great deal of mistakes I’m not particularly proud of. I’ve unintentionally hurt people who once meant a great deal to me, allowed pride to cloud my better judgement and fell victim to jealous tendencies, which often extinguish blossoming relationships. Sadly, it’s the mistakes we inevitably remember and come…
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