22Nov 2017 by CJ

Secret of giving – what are you teaching your children?

Generosity & Kindness, Youth
“Think of giving not as a duty but as a privilege.” - John D. Rockefeller Jr. I think Rockefeller’s quote truly defines the secret of giving. For if you have the privilege to give to someone less fortunate, that means your life is blessed with abundance. But where do we learn this secret of giving from? I think it’s important to realize that some individuals (okay, a lot of individuals) simply don’t possess any genuine compassion towards others. Their view of life is so narrowly focused on their own agenda that they rarely, if ever, consider doing something for the betterment of someone else. The secret of giving is truly lost on them. But I was given a little hope last night. Hope that there are still people out there who…
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21Aug 2017 by CJ

Winnie-the-Pooh is still teaching us lessons

Love & Relationships, Youth
On August 21, 1920, Christopher Robin Milne was born. For many of us, his name is immortalized in the stories of a lovable little boy and his favorite toy bear, more affectionately known as Winnie-the-Pooh. A.A. Milne was a prolific writer – books, plays, essays – but will forever be known for his creation of the beloved Winnie-the-Pooh series. History says that in 1925, Milne and his young family moved to a picturesque farm in Sussex – the 100-acre woods surrounding the property serving as the perfect magical setting for a series of children’s stories countless generations continue to admire. When young Christopher was around one, he received a present – a stuffed bear. That one stuffed animal would serve as the inspiration for a series of whimsical stories. Over…
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25Apr 2017 by CJ

Manners are your way of showing respect for someone

Life & Living, Youth
“Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. If you have that awareness, you have good manners, no matter which fork you use.” - Emily Post
 Manners are the way people conduct themselves – their behavior towards others. Here’s an example of what I’m talking about. I once was acquainted with someone who made spending time together more of a chore than a pleasure. You’d call on a Monday, ask about seeing each other for dinner on a Friday, and find yourself waiting until Thursday for confirmation. Their typical response – “I’ll have to get back to you on that.” I always found that response to be puzzling. I mean, either you want to see me or you don’t, right? Yes, we all have to check our calendars,…
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13Dec 2016 by CJ

Sounds of the Christmas season are my favorites by far

Youth
Throughout December, reminders of the holidays captivate our senses. We marvel at the sights of dazzling twinkling lights, relish in the smell of freshly baked cookies and hum along to tunes we remember from our childhood. For me, the sounds of the Christmas season have always been my favorite. As a young child, I remember listening to songs about a magical snowman, and a one horse open sleigh. But as an adult, I find myself drawn to musical themes which many times parallel the realities during this time of year. One example came to me while driving on a roadway lightly covered with the season’s first snowfall. It was called Home On Christmas Day. One of the truest sounds of the Christmas season. The song was penned by talented songwriters Jay Landers…
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04Dec 2016 by CJ

Is there really a Santa Claus?

Youth
The internet is like a treasure trove of information. Forget that recipe for gingerbread cookies? What about the best way to clean red wine off your beige carpet? How about the population of the United States back in the early 1850's? Or even, is there really a Santa Claus? In a matter of minutes, you'll have answers to all your questions and still have plenty of time to check your local weather. But we all know there's a dark side to the internet, even though some recently polled college students proclaimed it was "as important as eating and breathing." Some examples would include cyber bullying, child pornography and Santa Claus. If that last one has thrown you, let me clarify. Many young children today are more computer savvy than some…
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