02Jun 2013 by CJ

What is the true measure of a man?

Life & Living, Youth
What is the true measure of a man? I myself have pondered this question for years and years now, and I’m still trying to determine the real qualities and attributes that comprise the male species. Like so many, my research often turns to societal stereotypes, which somehow have become the deciding factor – the judge and jury for the true measure of a man. Entertainment platforms also add their own spin on the subject – though it often strays little from the stereotypes so many of us are all too familiar with. What I’ve come to discover from being a “man” myself and living in a world filled with them is that men feel as though they always need to defend and even prove their masculinity to everyone around them.…
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29May 2013 by CJ

Setting aside your pride

Life & Living
Pride has been defined as “a high or inordinate opinion of one's own dignity, importance, merit, or superiority” – and whether we like to admit it or not, we all harbor this unflattering quality in varying degrees over our lifetime. It seems to creep up on us in our families, at our jobs and even amongst friends, especially when we’re faced with the reality that we’re not the perfect person we thought ourselves to be. But there is no one perfect person roaming the earth – no matter what people might tell you. We all have our share of faults, though many of us fail to fess up to them. So what’s my point? Life is too short to allow the trivialities of life to become huge issues because of…
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28May 2013 by CJ

With you I am home

Love & Relationships
I've posted parts of this blog previously, but felt it needed a little repeating - not only for those around me, but for myself as well.   The term “walkman” refers to a portable audio cassette player, which was immensely popular in the 1980’s. Though now considered a relic and inferior by modern day standards, at its peak it allowed music lovers to enjoy their favorite tunes just about anywhere you traveled – as long as your AA batteries were fully charged. An avid music lover myself, I prolonged purchasing the latest portable audio technology for several years, while I tried to justify the cost versus the need. But eventually I succumbed to desire - aided greatly by a gift card I received for Christmas, which thankfully covered much of…
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23May 2013 by CJ

It’s good to be home

Love & Relationships
For the last seven days I’ve been calling a posh hotel in Chicago, IL “home” – though it felt like anything but. The room environment was stark and sterile, lacking the character and warmth I’m used to surrounding myself with at home. Because of this, I spent as little time as possible inside the walls of my hotel room – always feeling uncomfortable, uninspired and even a little depressed. It’s funny how the spaces we inhabit contribute to our overall mood. But beyond that, I think being away from our “homes” can oftentimes change the people we are – especially in mixed company. Frederick W. Robertson said it best. “Home is the one place in all this world where hearts are sure of each other. It is the place of…
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14May 2013 by CJ

Being grateful for what you have at home

Generosity & Kindness
This week I’ll be traveling for business - leaving the up and down temperatures of New Jersey for a 6 night, 7 day stay in the windy city of Chicago. And though this might sound impossible to some, this is only the second time I’ll be traveling alone in 16 years. The first was for a training seminar in the fun-filled city of Las Vegas – I was 22 years old and it was the first time I had ever been on an airplane. What can I tell you – I lead a sheltered life. My jobs rarely ever required me to travel for business. So much of my air travel was for pleasure, with my wife sitting beside me. And if you can believe it, this is only the…
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