Craig Ruvere

29May 2012 by CJ

Times of simplicity remind us what true happiness is all about

I’ve never been a fan of the heat. But as any homeowner will tell you, sometimes things just need to get done – regardless of the weather conditions. Who knew it would remind me of times of simplicity. With the upcoming forecast predicting rain over the next several days, today looked like the only nice day to finish up some yard work I’d been putting off. And though I had no desire to stand out in the blazing sun with temperatures approaching the mid to upper 80’s, it looked like I had no choice. While sitting under the patio umbrella wasn’t terribly uncomfortable, once I started moving around I truly got a sense of just how hot it was. Did I mention I wasn’t a fan of the heat? Standing…

16May 2012 by CJ

Getting even doesn’t mean that you’ve really won anything

Life & Living

What is the first thing we often think of after someone has wronged or disrespected us? Getting even. But as Gandhi once said, “An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind.” It’s human nature to want to inflict the same kind of pain and punishment on our attackers, but at the end of the day what does that really accomplish? Yes, getting even might gain you some temporary satisfaction, but inevitably you’ll find yourself riddled with disappointment that you’ve compromised who you really are. Of late I’ve been struggling with this – so angered and frustrated by others complete disregard and disrespect that I’ve actually contemplated stooping to their level as a means of getting even. But each time the thought pops into my head…

10May 2012 by CJ

Who lifts you up when you need support along the journey

Love & Relationships

In this crazy world of ours, who lifts you up? Undoubtedly, much of the life we live is based on our individual interpretations. From artwork to relationships, everyone interprets things differently which helps to create a world of uniqueness. When I first heard the song “Lift Me Up” by The Afters, I had no idea that their pop-rock sound and the underlying meaning was deeply rooted in Christianity. But after doing a little research I discovered they were a Contemporary Christian group, and the person they referenced in the song was in fact God. What’s funny about all this is how I was thinking of someone completely different when I first heard the lyrics. That got me to thinking that while our belief in a higher power may be important,…

08May 2012 by CJ

Bad experiences remind us there are no mistakes just lessons

Information & Education, Life & Living

Victoria Holt once said, "Never regret. If it's good, it's wonderful. If it's bad, it's experience." Sadly, sometimes they are bad experiences. I've been having that problem lately. After six years at a very secure job, I decided to take a chance, a risk, and try something new and more befitting of my skillset. Believe me, it was not an easy choice. Should I do what was safe or take a chance in the hopes that I was entering a new phase of my life filled with opportunities? Sadly, after several months, I realized I was deceived by this new opportunity and found myself unsure of what the future would hold for me. I started to grow angry with myself for making such a poor decision - for leaving the…

07May 2012 by CJ

To reinvent ourselves you must be open to possibilities

Life & Living

There are times in everyone’s life when we discover that the only way to bring about a positive change is to reinvent ourselves. To change what's comfortable and explore something new. Now I’m not saying to radically change who you are and what you’ve become. But rather to look outside your comfort zone and understand that many times “change” can lead you down the path of opportunity. Complacency can be a dangerous word. It provides us comfort and security, but oftentimes leaves little room for us to grow and find our true happiness in life. Change is an unknown reality - no one is arguing that point. But once you set aside the fear and anxiety so many of us feel over trying something unfamiliar, you’re allowing your life the…