Craig Ruvere

07Apr 2022 by CJ

To Appreciate Food You Need to Remember It’s a Blessing

At any given time, many of us are fortunate to be able to visit our refrigerator or pantry and find an overabundance of food options to satisfy our appetites and fulfill the nutritional needs our bodies require. But did you ever ask yourself whether you appreciate food? FeedingAmerica.org reports that more than 38 million people in the United States, including 12 million children, are food insecure, which means there’s “a lack of consistent access to enough food for every person in a household to live an active, healthy life.” For those 38 million people, they appreciate food much differently than we do. When your next meal is often shrouded in uncertainty, you appreciate food more than most. Especially those of us who can quickly and easily rummage through our overstocked refrigerators and…

05Apr 2022 by CJ

The Evolution of Priorities and Responsibilities is a Reality We Must Accept

Life & Living, Youth

In my early twenties, I remember spending countless hours perched upon an overstuffed chair in my bedroom, immersed in the creative process of writing poetry or song lyrics on a yellow-lined notepad. At the time, I could never dream my life would be void of this creative process, even with the evolution of priorities and responsibilities. Writing was like a cherished old friend for me during that period. Always there to listen unconditionally while allowing me to compartmentalize my feelings and discharge them between the lines of my yellow-lined notepad. Some might say it was my form of journaling, easing one’s stress during times of struggle. Yet some 25 years later, the evolution of priorities and responsibilities seems to continue, and what was once a huge part of my life…

24Mar 2022 by CJ

Conforming Thoughts are Holding Americans Prisoner

Information & Education

The prominent headlines thus far in 2022 are troubling for so many of us. For all the progress America and its citizens have made over the last 246 years, such headlines seem to contradict such progress as we seem to be trapped in a swirling sea of conforming thoughts. It’s been 246 years since the founding of this great nation, and here we are, still confronting issues that have long plagued our society without resolve. Racial prejudice, economic imbalance, political irresponsibility, women’s inequality, homophobia, propaganda, and even restricting one’s ability to vote makes one question just how far has America really progressed? The commonality between today’s thinking and hundreds of years ago remains the same – one must adhere to conforming thoughts. Merriam-Webster defines “conforming” as “acting in accordance with prevailing…

01Mar 2022 by CJ

Updates and Remodels Make Your House Feel More Like Home

Life & Living

Your primary residence might be the only property you own. But the reality is that buying a house is essentially investing in real estate. At some point, either you or your beneficiaries will profit from its sale, and often updates and remodels will add to its overall value. Over the years, as my wife and I would discuss updates and remodels to our home, some would always say, “make sure you think about the ROI,” which stands for “return on investment” for those unfamiliar. The suggestion always reminded me of my great aunt’s house, where her kitchen featured a fire-engine red enamel sink with white-washed cabinets and red handles. While certainly not my taste, and no doubt would cause anxiety to some HGTV hosts, my aunt absolutely loved her kitchen…

28Feb 2022 by CJ

Our Engagement on Social Media has Come to Define Us

Information & Education, Youth

Years ago, face-to-face conversations allowed individuals to connect and determine what kind of person they were interacting with. Their personality, authenticity, compassion, political views, empathy, beliefs, even pastimes. But today, our engagement on social media has come to define us with the swipe of a finger or scroll of a mouse. Let me give you an example. I recently saw a post from a former co-worker on LinkedIn, which inappropriately mocked President Biden while praising other politicians' racist and undisciplined remarks from the likes of Marjorie Taylor Greene and Lauren Boebert. While I didn't spend a great deal of time with this former co-worker, he was usually known to be very quiet, humble, and hard-working, revealing very little about himself or his beliefs, so this post was somewhat surprising to…