15Mar 2021 by CJ
To fall apart is oftentimes the only way to truly heal

To fall apart is oftentimes the only way to truly heal

Love & Relationships
The other day, I stumbled upon a song by Christian singer/songwriter Ryan Stevenson. The song is called When We Fall Apart, and it’s a moving tribute to his beloved mother who passed away at age 57 from bone cancer. Explaining that the lyrics were the last words she spoke to her son he says, "Even in the face of imminent death, she was pouring out wisdom and words of healing and encouragement to me that it's OK to cry, it's OK to grieve, it's OK to fall apart. We are all going to experience loss at some point to some degree. This song has been my way of working through and navigating one of the most painful storms of my life. I hope it encourages you to do the same."…
Read More
04Mar 2021 by CJ
A great leader knows it’s all about engagement and communication

A great leader knows it’s all about engagement and communication

Love & Relationships
Over the years, I’ve read countless books on what constitutes a great leader, though admittedly the characters they describe often seem elusive to me. One only has to turn on the news, surf the internet or go about their daily lives to quickly learn that while these books may very well have captured what truly comprises a great leader, the individuals who should be reading these books are not. The subject of what makes a great leader is incredibly broad - with many believing they have a firm understanding of what such a prestigious title entails based on character and behavior.  But the fact of the matter is that many so-called leaders are severely lacking and not properly trained on how to engage and communicate with others. One of my…
Read More
23Feb 2021 by CJ
People don’t ever plan to offend us – but a lack of empathy makes it feel like they do

People don’t ever plan to offend us – but a lack of empathy makes it feel like they do

Generosity & Kindness
I’ve come to what I believe is a very significant and oftentimes overlooked conclusion about relationships – both personal and professional. People don’t ever PLAN to offend us – though there are certainly some manipulative and calculating individuals out there. The conclusion I’ve finally discovered is that so many people (and I mean A LOT!) simply do not possess any kind of genuine empathy. I truly appreciate this Anonymous definition of what empathy is. “Empathy is seeing with the eyes of another, listening with the ears of another and feeling with the heart of another.” While that might sound easy to do, few I’ve encountered have truly mastered what I consider a social art. Where we get stuck so often is in the listening. Yes, we’re all hearing what other…
Read More
15Feb 2021 by CJ
A myth about their life can lead you to unnecessarily question yours

A myth about their life can lead you to unnecessarily question yours

Life & Living
The word “facade” is defined as “a false, superficial or artificial appearance or effect”. While often used to describe a building’s exterior, it’s also used to define people’s obsessive desire to create, and sadly, support a myth about their life. We use heavy cosmetics, altering surgeries, hair dye, fad diets and clothing to help conceal from the world our real earthly age. We burden ourselves with credit card debt, auto loans and home loans with the misguided notion that material possessions will convey to others that we’re wealthier and more successful than we really are. We exude an air of over confidence, dominance and conceit at home and at work in an attempt to hide the demons of insecurity which plague our everyday life. Where’s the danger in all this…
Read More
07Feb 2021 by CJ
If a stimulus check is not needed, consider donating some of it

If a stimulus check is not needed, consider donating some of it

Generosity & Kindness
I recently read an article on Yahoo.com by famed financial guru Suze Orman entitled, “The 3 worst ways people will use their next stimulus check”. While there’s no guarantee that Americans will in fact receive another stimulus check in the near future, many of us have been fortunate enough to maintain employment and good health and haven’t required the government’s financial contribution to our overall bottom line. That good fortune has consistently provided for the needs of our family from abundant, quality foods, to a comfortable roof over our heads and a warm bed to crawl into. But for so many Americans, a stimulus check could very well be the means for sustainment in a nation so ravaged by the unforeseen circumstances of Covid-19. Back to the article I reference…
Read More