14Oct 2013 by CJ

Weekends should be about making a life

Life & Living
Come Friday afternoon of any given work-week I’m often asked by fellow co-workers, “Do you have any big plans this weekend?” I know this sounds strange, but I’m always a little unsure how to answer that. After all, what really describes “big weekend plans”? Going away for a few days; heading into the city for dinner and a show; traveling to a local festival or outdoor event? While my wife and I have certainly participated in all of the above at one time or another, our weekends are traditionally quiet, laid back and often infinitely relaxing. Let’s face it - work-weeks are often filled with stress, anxiety and unforeseen events that seem to pop-up out of nowhere. Unfortunately, there’s just not enough time in the day to accomplish everything we…
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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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03Oct 2013 by CJ

Bullies are nothing more than cowards

Life & Living, Youth
You’d be naïve to think that bullies only exist on the playground. That the adult world we all inhabit is void of individuals who need to show their dominance over others in order to feel superior and strengthen their own insecurities. Sadly they’re all around us – on the front pages of our newspapers, in our government agencies and in the places we live and work. Here’s something important to remember though: bullies are nothing more than cowards whose only way to cope with their lack of self-esteem is to verbally and many times abusively attack others. You would think as adults we would learn the harmful effects such behaviors can have on others, but then again most bullies simply don’t know any other way to live – or should…
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27Sep 2013 by CJ

Change your life now and make a brand new ending

Life & Living
Few of us have the luxury of looking into the past with no regrets. Making decisions is never easy - unless you’re deciding what to have for dinner and even that can be challenging at times. We always hope the choices we make will lead us to a lifetime of bliss, but few things ever go as planned. Periodically I find myself wallowing in these regrets – wishing I had gone the other way when met with a fork in the road. It can be a thoroughly depressing time – wondering what might have been and how your life may have been different. But then I’m reminded of a quote which is attributed to Carl Bard. “Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can…
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