23Apr 2018 by CJ
Waves – providing the perfect soundtrack to life

Waves – providing the perfect soundtrack to life

Life & Living
“When you sit tranquilly, you set a great example to the people who rush around in panic and thus you show the crazy waves the beauty of being a calm lake!” ― Mehmet Murat ildan At the end of tonight’s yoga class, I found myself lost in the waves – the sound of them that is. As a sequence of turquoise-blue lights danced around the studio in front of me, waves continued to crash upon the shoreline – providing the perfect soundtrack to further solidify my tranquility. The always calming and inspiring words of my instructor further lulled me into a state of complete serenity (thanks Courtney). Drifting in and out of consciousness, I felt safe in my surroundings and completely comfortable with the spirit living deep inside of me. How truly…
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19Apr 2018 by CJ
I miss you – a reminder that you love someone

I miss you – a reminder that you love someone

Love & Relationships
“I miss you. Not in some cheesy “Let’s hold hands and be together forever kind of way”. I just miss you, plain and simple. I miss your presence in my life. I miss you always being there for me. I miss you best friend.” – Anonymous My current job requires me to travel throughout the country about 15% of the time. While the experience has certainly made me a savvy traveler, it’s been an adjustment leaving my home for any length of time. More importantly my wife, whose smile, embrace and laughter continues to warm my heart and soul. We’ve been married almost 17 years now and after all that time I still find myself calling or texting “I miss you” throughout the day whenever I’m traveling. The distance often…
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18Apr 2018 by CJ
Birthday reflections should be about counting your blessings

Birthday reflections should be about counting your blessings

Love & Relationships
“A birthday is a time to reflect on the year gone by, but to also set your goals for the upcoming year.” ­– Catherine Pulsifer April 18th. Forty-three years ago, I entered the world in a hospital in Passaic, New Jersey at around 12:06 PM – just in time for lunch! Forty-three years. I thought my fortieth birthday was hard to swallow. While I realize only three years have passed since, the shock of that number has been lingering on my mind over the last few days. As Pulsifer says, birthday reflections are common. As a young boy, I used to wonder why people would say that. I mean, weren’t birthdays for balloons, presents, cake and claiming one day out of the year solely as your own? But I get…
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09Apr 2018 by CJ
Someone you love dying provides something to learn

Someone you love dying provides something to learn

Love & Relationships
“How can you learn nothing from someone you love dying? Doesn’t that speak to just how little you thought of them when they were alive?” – Unknown I was there when my grandfather passed away eleven years ago in a hospice facility in New Jersey. I was in my early 30’s and his presence in my life was familiar and always expected. But as I was reminded that day, nothing lasts forever. For me, watching someone you love dying was a truly peaceful and cathartic experience, though I understand it’s not always so for everyone experiencing death for the first time. Though he lived a long and prosperous life, his passing still affected me deeply – providing me with some much-needed perspective on love, life and everything in between. Seeing…
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28Mar 2018 by CJ

Condescension is a behavior people can see right through

Life & Living
“Of what use is it to be tolerant of others if you are convinced that you are right and everyone who disagrees with you is wrong? That isn’t tolerance but condescension.” - Anthony de Mello The word condescension is familiar to most, but few actually know what it truly means. Condescension is an attitude or behavior exhibited by those who truly believe they are more intelligent or better than other people. Beyond not knowing what the word means, many more fail to realize how often they practice condescension among their peers, their subordinates, their friends and their family. Dr. Frank J. Ninivaggi shared his thoughts on the subject in an article he appropriately titled, “Condescension is Manifest Envy”. In it he writes, “A common phenomenon illustrating the surfacing of envy is…
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