Craig Ruvere

12Jan 2026 by CJ No Comments

Stories Have to be Told to Ensure Their Memory Lives On

“Stories have to be told or they die, and when they die, we can’t remember who we are or why we’re here.” – Sue Monk Kidd, Author At 50 years old, I admit I’ve lived long enough to witness technology's progression in society firsthand. I remember a time when personal computers didn’t exist, the only phones available to us were permanently mounted on kitchen walls, and the sole way to conduct research on any given topic was to visit a brick-and-mortar library in your town. While I’m often critical of technological advancements over the past few decades and question how they’ve improved our humanity toward one another, I must give credit to the advent of the internet. Stories have to be told, and the internet has provided me with a glimpse…

05Jan 2026 by CJ

The Power of Literature Opens Our Narrow Minds

Information & Education, Life & Living

“When I look back, I am so impressed again with the life-giving power of literature. If I were a young person today, trying to gain a sense of myself in the world, I would do that again by reading, just as I did when I was young.” – Maya Angelou My wife is an avid reader, passionately immersed in a wide range of literary themes and celebrated authors. For anyone who loves literature, there’s nothing quite as rewarding as sharing a powerful story or a profound piece of writing, all in the hopes of sparking inspiration and a love for reading in others. I feel incredibly lucky to benefit from my wife's insatiable love for books. She frequently recommends titles that she believes I will thoroughly enjoy, and we eagerly…

21Dec 2025 by CJ

A Childhood Memory Reminds Us to Be Present

Life & Living, Youth

Can you recall your earliest childhood memory of your parents? A moment so clear that it lingers in your mind, yet still holds a hint of mystery in the details, given how young you were. Once you reach a certain age, revisiting the past involves sifting through decades of experiences, which are bound to overshadow your earlier memories. Given the extensive work our brains perform at any given moment, it’s not surprising that older, less specific memories can fade away to make room for new ones. I’ve asked this question of other family members and friends before, and I’m often met with confused, uncertain looks, followed by a long pause as the person struggles with a question they’ve probably never been asked. Eventually, the person admits they can’t clearly remember…

01Dec 2025 by CJ

A Fake Image to Protect is Not Authentic at Work or at Home

Love & Relationships

“I’m grateful I have no fake image to protect. What you see is exactly who I am. Some days I shine, other days I struggle, but every single day, I stay real. I’m me, and that’s always enough.” (Motivational Life Quotes) The other day, I was updating my headshot across several social channels and professional documents that are viewable by personal friends, professional colleagues, and unknown observers I haven’t yet had the opportunity to connect with. A bit of background: I dislike having my picture taken…a lot! Whether it’s family photos, work events, vacations, or selfies, the images captured by cameras never seem to match the reflection I see in the mirror when I wake up each morning or go to bed at night. In my mind, I reassure myself…

27Oct 2025 by CJ

Violence on the Field is a Lesson Children Shouldn’t be Learning

Youth

“I object to violence because when it appears to do good, the good is only temporary; the evil it does is permanent.” ― Mahatma Gandhi, The Essential Gandhi: An Anthology of His Writings on His Life, Work, and Ideas It was a beautiful late summer morning, and even though the first day of fall was just around the corner, lingering sunny days and mild temperatures tried to persuade us that it wasn’t the case. My wife and I were attending my thirteen-year-old nephew’s soccer game, something we try to do a few times during the season. While some might find joy in such sporting events, we often feel disheartened by the behaviors we witness on and off the field, which is why we limit regular attendance. Let me explain. We hoped that…