24Feb 2016 by CJ

Fitting in makes you stand out even more

Youth
“We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful what we pretend to be.” – Kurt Vonnegut The only thing I really remember about being a sophomore in high school was how awful it was. As a shy, chubby, insecure teenager, I longed to fit in with the popular crowd. And so I tried to “be” just like them. I tried to talk the way they did, walk the way they did and even behave the way they did – all in an attempt to be “ordinary” rather than bullied and picked on for being different. The only problem with my game of pretend? That wasn’t me. No matter how hard I tried to fit in, all it really did was make me stand out even more.…
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23Feb 2016 by CJ

Personal perceptions lead to unfair judgements

Youth
“Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens.” – Kahlil Gibran “…the attitude you bring to life” “…the way your mind looks at what happens” These are powerful statements which speak directly to someone’s personal perception. Look outside your window and you’ll be amazed to see just how much is going on at any given time. People are living and dying; loving and suffering; at peace and at war.  Yet through it all, everyone’s perception of this life is unique - regardless of their position in society. Sadly, perceptions often lead to judgements, which then lead to prejudices, and…
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22Feb 2016 by CJ

Judgements are not just for others, but for ourselves

Life & Living, Youth
“We should be rigorous in judging ourselves and gracious in judging others.” – John Wesley What does it say about a person who’s quick to judge and condemn others, but rarely turns the magnifying glass on themselves? I’m guilty as charged I’m afraid – to some extent we all are. Far too often, my high ideals leave me in continually judgement when they aren’t met by those closest to me. I have no more right to judge others on what’s right or wrong than anyone else in this world, and yet it’s so easy to fall into that trap day in and day out. I sometimes wonder if we’re afraid to pass judgement on ourselves – afraid to see the inequities and insecurities that live deep within us all. For…
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18Feb 2016 by CJ

A home is made of love not bricks

Life & Living
“There is nothing like staying at home, for real comfort.” – Jane Austen Today I realized that “home” is such an amazing place to return to. Yes, there’s no denying my admiration for my current dwelling place. But to tell you the truth, I admired my first home pretty much the same way I admire my new one (the most recent is 15 years old; the latter was 91 years old). The reason is simple really – it’s not the “house” and all its furnishings and decorations which truly make it feel like “home”. No, it’s the person I live there with. I can say with complete honesty and sincerity that no matter where I may purchase a house over the course of my lifetime, it’s my wonderful wife who…
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16Feb 2016 by CJ

Lasting relationships are all about shared truths

Love & Relationships
“What draws people to be friends is that they see the same truth. They share it.” – C. S. Lewis The foundation of any great relationship is built upon a set of commonalities which enable the pair to navigate the uncharted waters of life – together. Platonic or romantic the equation is the same – as long as you both continue down the path of moral guidance, truth and love, anything is possible. But relationships rarely stay the same – or should I say people rarely do. Once they no longer share the same truths, it becomes impossible for the relationship to sustain on any level beyond superficiality. What’s perhaps most upsetting is how often people become so blind to their evolution. They say things like, “It’s not me, I…
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