18Aug 2014 by CJ

A lesson for all students on the first day of school

Information & Education, Life & Living, Youth
Isn’t it funny how time always seems to escape us? Aside from voting at my local school, I probably can count on one hand how many times I’ve stepped foot inside an educational institution since graduating college 17 years ago (yikes, it’s been that long?). School was never truly my forte – how ironic then that I find myself married to a high school teacher. As long as she doesn’t give me homework, we’re in good shape. And it’s because of my wife’s profession that I typically find myself walking the halls of the school she teaches in – there to lend a hand setting up her classroom before students fill her day with endless activity. It always amazes me how the interiors of schools always smell the same regardless…
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07Aug 2014 by CJ

Self-confidence is all about trusting that you know more than you think

Life & Living, Youth
“I seek strength, not to be greater than others, but to fight my greatest enemy, the doubts within myself” - P.C. Cast I’ve always envied people who seem to have it all together. Who are just brimming with self-confidence and self-worth, which enables them to succeed in any situation or circumstance life will undoubtedly throw at them. I hate those people. Why you might ask? Because I’m NOT one of them. While I’ve made incredible progress from the days when insecurities would practically cripple me in any social or professional situation, whenever my self-confidence comes into question, I sometimes feel myself reverting. For those who’ve been at the same employer for a long period of time, have lived in the same house (and state) with any longevity, whose life has…
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21Jul 2014 by CJ

Remember that part of being a good friend is knowing how to listen

Life & Living, Youth
When I left New Jersey almost four weeks ago for Colorado, I left a very dear friend I’ve known for over 15 years. I met her back when the two of us were working in the corporate headquarters at the now defunct Mikasa brand - and we’ve been pals ever since! Our typical routine was to meet for coffee or dinner every week, where the two of us would discuss the trials and tribulations of life before just being silly – quoting one-liners from the classic TV sitcom The Golden Girls. It’s sad how often I took our time together for granted – a realization that hit me after 1,800 miles and a two hour time difference made those get-togethers impossible to sustain. One thing I’ve learned in the weeks…
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19Jul 2014 by CJ

Saying “I’m sorry” means setting aside your pride even when you think you’re right

Life & Living, Youth
When my wife and I first became engaged back in the year 2000, she was the first of three daughters to make her way down the aisle. And as with many first time mother’s-of-the-bride, her mother had her own vision for our upcoming nuptials – which is only natural. But her ideas didn’t necessarily align with those of my wife. My wife is a very loving, compassionate and patient person, but she’s also very head strong and not afraid to tell you what she does and doesn’t want – especially on her wedding day. Tensions began to build, words were said on both sides, and it wasn’t long before any and all forms of communication ceased. But during my wife’s bridal shower something amazing happened. Her mother pulled each of…
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07Jul 2014 by CJ

Our hopes and dreams for tomorrow have no expiration date

Generosity & Kindness, Life & Living, Youth
As a little kid I liked to dream—big, whether it was believing my red-Huffy bicycle would one day turn into a Transformer or convincing myself that as an adult I’d be spending much of my time in Hollywood hosting “The Price is Right.” As I said, I liked to dream big. I still do sometimes. If we think back to our childhood, we all can remember when our dreams didn’t seem that far away from us. I remember spending countless hours in my basement pretending I was a rock star on my make believe stage. There I’d be holding my microphone (nothing more than the cardboard tube from the paper towel roll) belting out song after song from a collection of 45’s. Truthfully, I never really did sing as much…
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