30Oct 2016 by CJ

Prejudice is taught, not instinctive

Youth
“Racism isn't born, folks, it's taught. I have a two-year-old son. You know what he hates? Naps! End of list.” - Denis Leary Many times parents overlook the reality that they are in fact their child’s very first teacher. Children are incredibly impressionable, and therefore they often adopt the qualities and behaviors of their parents – the good, and unfortunately the bad as well. Children are not born prejudice towards other races. The don’t enter this world prepared to be homophobic. And while they understand there are differences, gender stereotypes are a non-issue. What they are born with is the capacity to love, to be accepting and perhaps most importantly to recognize that being different is not always a bad thing. As I said, parents are their child’s first teacher,…
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18Oct 2016 by CJ

When I grow up – it’s more than just a job

Youth
One of the most challenging questions to ask yourself is, “What do I want to be when I grow up.” It’s not easily answered and often filled with more complexities than Google’s secretive algorithms for site rankings. After all, we’re talking about life – not just your life, but the lives of those who will ultimately be impacted by your decision both today and well into the future. It’s a hefty burden to bare, and a question which seems to pop up more frequently than one might assume. Jodi Weiss is a career strategist and author and had this to say on the subject: “What you don’t want to do, is waste your life. Wake up in your later years to realize that things you cared about most were not…
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02Oct 2016 by CJ

Jacob Hall taught us lessons even at a young age

Youth
When I was 6-years-old – a kindergarten student at Roosevelt Elementary School – the year was 1981. At that age, I still considered school a fun place – filled with discovery, imagination and hope for the future. It was a place in which I felt “safe” – protected both emotionally and physically by a staff who genuinely cared for each and every one of us. Whether in the confines of our classroom or the grassy fields of our playground, I never found myself worrying about the dangers, which no doubt were in existence even back then. I’m sure Jacob Hall was no different. Hall was the South Carolina boy who sadly passed away on Saturday after complications from being shot on his elementary school playground earlier in the week. His…
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19Sep 2016 by CJ

Piece by Piece – moving on from abandonment

Love & Relationships, Youth
When I first heard Kelly Clarkson’s song Piece by Piece, I found myself listening to it over and over again. I rarely define a style of music I listen to, mainly because I’m often attracted to amazing lyrics more than anything else. And Clarkson’s song certainly delivers. Here’s how her musical journey begins: And all I remember is your back Walking towards the airport, leaving us all in your past I traveled fifteen hundred miles to see you Begged you to want me, but you didn’t want to It’s the real-life story of Clarkson’s absentee father, and how her husband eventually was able to pick up the shattered pieces of her life and reaffirm there are still men out there who know how to be caring; know how to be…
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20Jul 2016 by CJ

Genuine character is lost in a sea of sameness

Youth
“The best index to a person's character is how he treats people who can't do him any good, and how he treats people who can't fight back.” ― Abigail Van Buren A person possessing genuine character is hard to come by in society. Often ego, competitiveness and insecurities make it nearly impossible to encounter individuals on our daily journey who retain either of the unique qualities I reference above. Sameness is easily achieved You begin to realize the reality of this when you find yourself in new surroundings and begin to understand how society is inundated with carbon copies. Everyone is trying to be what’s fashionable and popularly accepted in society, leaving those searching for originality wandering through a sea of clones. Perhaps what’s most troubling about all of this is if you’ve been…
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