By Craig Ruvere
For the majority of us, we’re rarely asked to write a biography about ourselves, our abilities, our careers or our triumphs. While such a practice might be commonplace for those appearing in a theatrical playbill, for the ordinary people of the world there just never seems to be a need.
Our lives are chaotic – moving faster than an out of control locomotive. This fleeting time often causes us to overlook our successes and instead focus on what we perceive to be failures – both in our personal and professional lives.
It’s not until one’s forced to sit down and chronicle their journey thus far that one begins to realize just how much they’ve accomplished, from the most grandiose recognition to the pleasure of personal fulfillment.
While some of these accomplishments might not seem noteworthy in the eyes of a critical society, a biography can truly be a tool for one’s self-esteem – affirming realities we so frequently ignore. I think everyone should take the time to write a short biography about themselves. I suspect you’ll discover you’ve done more with your life than you thought.
I’ve been fortunate throughout my career to encounter rewarding opportunities as a marketer, writer, and designer. I’ve learned from some amazingly talented individuals – on a personal and professional level – who fully embraced the mindset that simply being the “boss” doesn’t make you a leader. Their presence in my life has been invaluable, and along with the challenges and discoveries which have come along the way, I’ve grown to be a better employee, and most importantly, a better person.
Beyond my professional career, I’ve had the great pleasure to work Off-Broadway in New York City as a Stage Manager on a handful of shows (one staring Broadway favorite Carolee Carmello), have written hundreds of musical compositions at my piano (and pages upon pages of accompanying lyrics), was a featured editorialist for a large, prominent newspaper in Northern New Jersey for almost a decade called The Leader (which sadly is no longer in circulation) and have been humbled to receive industry awards for my contributions as a marketer, writer and designer.
But my greatest joy in life has nothing to do with my professional accomplishments, which are short-lived at best. I’m beyond grateful and amazingly fortunate to have shared the last 20 years of my life with my loving wife, best friend, confidant and constant cheerleader. She’s incredibly patient (I’m pretty high maintenance), revels in the simplicities of life, is an incredible cook and accepts people unconditionally 100% of the time. She reminds me almost daily of what’s truly important in the lives we live and for that I’m eternally grateful. Whatever success the future holds for me, it would be meaningless without her to share it with.
In the summer of 2014, my wife and I moved our lives from New Jersey to Colorado to be closer to family. It has been an incredible, and sometimes uncomfortable, adjustment after almost four decades in a small New Jersey town. But with each passing year, we find ourselves feeling more and more at home. A big risk for both of us? Absolutely. But sometimes in life, you need to shake things up in order to grow personally and professionally, while striving for new goals and accomplishments.
Hobbies? Writing, playing the piano, gardening, DIY projects, music, organizing and spending time with my adorable niece and nephew, who are growing up way too fast.
Author and screenwriter Douglas Adams once wrote, “I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be.” I think that sums up Craig Ruvere’s life perfectly, and perhaps yours as well. We rarely know the best path to take in life, but thankfully life always manages to lead us where we need to be.
Thank you for taking the time to learn a little bit about me. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions – I’d be happy to answer them.
All the best always,
Craig Ruvere