06Dec 2012 by CJ

Pull something positive from your mistakes

Life & Living
When life is going your way, you rarely spend any time looking back upon all the mistakes you’ve made with any relevance or importance. But when life is going some other way entirely, mistakes seem to be the only thing you can focus on. The reasoning behind this isn’t rocket science. The old “if I’d only taken the road not traveled…” cliché certainly applies. It’s only logical that we look back at our decisions with regret when they don’t turn out exactly as we planned them. And while I feel as though my life is now “going some other way entirely,” I’ve come to understand…no, accept that mistakes are only a bad thing if you haven’t learned anything from them. While they still can be difficult to digest at times,…
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04Dec 2012 by CJ

Watching the news reveals a modern-day concentration camp

Information & Education, Life & Living
Over the last few years, I’ve made it a practice to start watching the news magazine “60 Minutes” in an effort to gain some understanding about what’s going on in the world around me. Needless to say, the program often leaves me utterly frustrated over the unending greed and dominance which seems to drive politics and businesses alike in the United States. But beyond the frustration, watching the news stories leaves one truly speechless – humbling your day to day complaints into welcoming additions. It’s the realization that for many human beings living around the globe, their lives are a far cry from the freedoms most Americans take for granted on a daily basis. Sadly, if not for watching the news, I myself would be completely unaware of such goings…
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30Nov 2012 by CJ

A life of success has more to do with love than anything else

Love & Relationships
If you need a better understanding of what constitutes a life of success and fulfillment, let me be of some assistance. Now I’m no expert, but I’ve been around the block of life long enough to understand that many of the things we believe will classify us as a “success” – money, fame, power – are fleeting. You wanna know what I think constitutes a life of success? Sitting on the couch in your PJ’s under a blanket with that special someone. Watching the dazzling lights of a Christmas tree as carols gently play in the background. You talk about everything and nothing - joking around and laughing, stealing a little kiss here and there. There’s no pretenses, no conditions, no judgments – just love, affection and comfort. You could…
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28Nov 2012 by CJ

Decorate your office for the holidays – why not be happy wherever you are

Life & Living
Do you decorate your office for the holidays? Some people might think it’s a little strange for a 37 year-old-man to decorate his office for the upcoming Christmas holiday, but I’m guilty. Truth be told, I never did in the past, and truly had no intention of starting now. But that was before I understood how important it is to create a pleasant, comfortable and joyful environment no matter where you might be. Let’s face it, work can be challenging at times – wearing on the very fibers which comprise one’s character. But by creating a space filled with pleasant reminders like photographs of that special someone, candles, flowers, and yes, even small Christmas trees, suddenly your brain isn’t just filled with anxiety but familiarity. It’s this familiarity which helps…
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27Nov 2012 by CJ

The key to business longevity is building relationships with customers

Life & Living
I’ve worked in and out of marketing for over a decade now, and if I’ve learned one thing it’s this: slick advertising campaigns are a great way to lure new business, but building a credible, sustainable relationship with consumers is your key to business longevity. Case in point, I recently ordered a few gift cards for relatives out of state, at an eatery near their home. I won’t bore you with the details, but suffice it to say that several weeks went by and my online order was never processed - even though I was given confirmation. Rarely at a loss for words, I complained to the establishment for the gift was somewhat time sensitive in nature. What happened next pretty much astounded me. After going back and forth a…
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