27Nov 2011 by CJ

Teens want smartphones over cars – a move that baffles this car guy

Life & Living
I just came across an article in the New York Times entitled, "Teens desire smartphones over cars." For this car enthusiast all I can say is, THAT'S CRAZY! One of the biggest thrills of my life was getting my driver's license. Finally I didn't have to rely on my parents to drive me all over the world at all hours of the night. YIPPEE! There's no denying the freedom that comes along with finally depending on yourself and being responsible for more than just cleaning your room. It's the start of adulthood and one of the first signs that you're no longer a little kid anymore. So you can imagine how surprising it is that teens want smartphones over cars these days. But then again, I was always into cars,…
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22Nov 2011 by CJ

Truly appreciate life, and you’ll find that you have more of it

Generosity & Kindness
With Thanksgiving only a few days away, I've been thinking a lot about this past year and the many blessings I've been afforded, which are deserving of my thanks. It's time to appreciate life. There's my wife of the last ten years - my best friend and constant support, who's always there with a welcoming smile to remind me what unconditional love is truly all about. No matter what success might come my way during this life, it would seem utterly meaningless if I didn't have her to share it with. So thank you angel for sticking by me, especially when I'm a pain in the ass and grumpy. Your love is never wavering. It's funny how so many married couples hate their in-laws - some can't even be in…
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20Nov 2011 by CJ

One kind word can unlock the goodness in other people’s hearts

Generosity & Kindness, Love & Relationships
As a young boy Mister Rogers' television program was a personal favorite of mine. His greatest gift was in making everyone feel welcomed in his charming, make-believe neighborhood – an asset for any child feeling a little lost in their own. And while many of his teachings were geared towards the younger generation, I’ve come to discover how appropriate they truly are for everyone - especially the act of one kind word. He once said, "“Imagine what our real neighborhoods would be like if each of us offered, as a matter of course, just one kind word to another person. There have been so many stories about the lack of courtesy, the impatience of today’s world, the road rage and even restaurant rage. Sometimes, all it takes is one kind…
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17Nov 2011 by CJ

A high school yearbook reveals where tomorrow’s happiness grows

Generosity & Kindness, Life & Living
On the bottom shelf of a bookcase in my guest room, tightly pressed between a pair of Funk & Wagnalls dictionaries and a large Bible my wife received from her grandfather, is an old, tattered looking book. It’s about the size of a magazine, with a pale blue hard cover and yellowed packing tape holding the torn binding together. It’s my grandmother’s high school yearbook. It was June 13th, 1940. The high school auditorium was filled with eager family and friends, all anticipating the upcoming ceremony scheduled to begin at 8:15 pm. This was the day my grandmother, Agnes Adamo, graduated. According to the program, which was safely tucked between the pages of the yearbook, the songs “God Bless America”, “I Love a Little Cottage” and “A Song of Peace”…
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16Nov 2011 by CJ

Elephant orphan discovers that prosthetics are not just for humans

Information & Education, Life & Living
  [caption id="attachment_642" align="alignleft" width="300"] Truly amazing![/caption] Chhouk is a 5 year old bull elephant orphan who probably wouldn't be alive today if not for the care he received from Nick Marx, the Director of Wildlife Rescue and Care at the Wildlife Alliance. Chhouk was found in the Cambodian jungle back in 2007 - scared, alone and very close to death with his left front foot mangled by a poacher's trap. Elephants are known for being some of the most emotional animals alive. Having been just a baby elephant orphan when he was found, I can only imagine how fearful young Chhouk must have been. "I really thought he would never make it," said Nick Marx, today stroking Chhouk's trunk with a sense of pride and affection. "He was seriously…
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