How to Know if Someone Truly Values You in Their Life

How to Know if Someone Truly Values You in Their Life

Life & Living, Love & Relationships
As we grow older and wiser, relationships (whether familial, platonic, or romantic) inevitably change – that’s simply a reality of the human experience. Some of those relationships continue to improve and strengthen with time and maturity. In contrast, others seem to wither away from a lack of nurturing. However, it becomes puzzling how to accurately determine if someone still truly values you in their life. Many of us rarely entertain such a question. Understandably, we’re fearful of the answers, which challenge our often skewed perception of reality – of a true, connecting, and binding relationship having taken place. A relationship shouldn’t feel like a chore – a one-sided exercise with little return on your investment. Unfortunately, this often forces you to tolerate a handful of repetitive excuses for one’s inability…
Read More
What Defines a Successful Life Comes From the Heart

What Defines a Successful Life Comes From the Heart

Love & Relationships
If you asked the average person today what defines a successful life, they’d provide you with one or all of the bullet points below. A high-paying salary from a respected career. Material possessions (an impressive house, expensive car, fancy gadgets, etc.). The satisfaction of knowing that you have more than your neighbors, friends, and even your family members. I’ve always struggled with America’s rationale of what defines a successful life. While I consider myself incredibly fortunate regarding the first two bullet points above, I’m not sure I would classify my life as a success because of them. Financial stability is essential in providing one with the necessities we all need to live and maintain our health and well-being. But surely, there must be more to defining a successful life than…
Read More
Gosar deserves the same fate ordinary Americas would face

Gosar deserves the same fate ordinary Americas would face

Love & Relationships
I’m rarely at a loss for words, and often this blog provides me with an opportunity to share my thoughts and feelings in the hopes of inspiring positive change in others. But I have to tell you, after learning about the animated attack by Rep. Paul Gosar on both Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and President Joe Biden, I actually said out loud, I’m not sure I can write about this. Why? Because I’m in utter disbelief that an elected official – who I might add works for and is paid by the American people – thought it was appropriate and acceptable to post such a violent video in the first place. For those of you unaware of the story, Rep. Paul Gosar (Arizona) posted an anime video on social media showing him…
Read More
The value of trust is the basis of a rewarding relationship

The value of trust is the basis of a rewarding relationship

Love & Relationships
The news around The Ruvere House is we’ve finally embarked on a complete renovation of our kitchen – a project we’ve been discussing a plotting for the better part of a year. The kitchen is often referred to as the heart of the home, and it’s no different in our house. Who knew this project would also remind me of the value of trust. One of my wife’s hobbies is not only cooking but learning the science behind recipes and techniques. We often cook together in the kitchen – one of us leading and the other cleaning up after the other or gathering the necessary ingredients from the pantry. Our kitchen is more than just a room, but a place where beautiful memories are shared with each other, as well…
Read More
It’s been a long time since I’ve spoken to my father

It’s been a long time since I’ve spoken to my father

Love & Relationships
It’s been a long time since I’ve spoken to my father. A sentence no one ever expects to hear muttered from their lips, certainly not from me given the unshakable bond my father and I always maintained so religiously. But life is not a fairy tale or worse yet a Hallmark movie where irreparable circumstances are easily and painlessly resolved in under two hours. Whether the individuals in question are your friends, your spouse, or even your parents, the relationships we foster and propagate are not always enough for a sustainable or guaranteed future together. It’s been a long time since I’ve spoken to my father yet I’m often reminded of him when I’m doing the simplest of things like surfing through television channels late at night and landing on…
Read More