Craig Ruvere

22Aug 2011 by CJ

A compassionate society is able to rise above themselves for the good of others

Author Dorothy Allison was recently interviewed by "The Writer" magazine and had these very interesting words to say about a compassionate society. "I think the lack of honesty in the media in this country is killing the country. I think we are living a culture of lies. And at this point, the winning voices are the loudest voices. I'm 60. I can look back at what has happened in this country, the fight for civil rights and justice and a genuinely compassionate culture we put in place, and now I look around and now I see a mean, desperate place. It is very frightening." Though Ms. Allison is 24 years my senior, I can relate to what she is saying. Lately I find myself wondering how things have gotten so out of…

21Aug 2011 by CJ

I Love Lucy shows a much different household dynamic than today

Life & Living

The other day I was watching an episode of the always comical 1950’s sitcom I Love Lucy, and realized just how different the roles of men and women truly were. Lucy wasn’t speaking to Ricky because, as always, he wouldn’t let her be in the show. After realizing she hadn’t prepared his breakfast that morning, he stormed into the bedroom and demanded she get up and fix him something to eat like a drill sergeant in the military. I could only imagine what my wife would have to say if I barked such orders at her early in the morning. The days of the men being the dominant figure in a household are over for the most part. Today, women have their own careers outside the home – some working…

17Aug 2011 by CJ

A dose of kindness can help dissolve all the negativity you woke up with

Generosity & Kindness

This morning started out like most mornings...me struggling to get up to exercise with an overwhelming desire to call out sick. While somehow I mustered up the energy for the physical activity, I never did call out sick. Good thing I suppose, because I was treated to an early morning dose of kindness I wouldn't have otherwise received had I stayed home. The previous afternoon, my wife had a very minor dermatological procedure done and was in need of a small, round, clear band aide to protect the surface of the wound. She was all ready to play arts and crafts with a much larger band aide – even though I assured her it would only draw more attention to the area she was now trying to hide.So with some…

14Aug 2011 by CJ

Priority lists should be filled with people not just chores

Life & Living

Take a look at your own life and ask yourself, what or who is on my priority lists? Our lives seem filled to capacity with a plethora of errands, chores and commitments which often pull us in different directions — robbing us of the more memorable moments life has to offer. In short we prioritize our lives based upon what we believe to be important and inadvertently forget about the people we always assume will be around when our priority lists are finally complete. It’s funny how our priority lists seem to focus so much on taking care of responsibilities, yet pay little attention to taking care of the people who provide our lives with meaning. Imagine turning off the television and tuning out all distractions to interact with that…

11Aug 2011 by CJ

At work is fine as long as it doesn’t become your entire life

Life & Living

There are 168 hours in any given week and sadly we spend over 40 of them at work - or on overcrowded roadways trying to get to and from work. Didn’t you ever wonder where this working five days straight and off for two business first started? I’m sure if I did a little digging online I could find that out. But truthfully, I’m tired from working almost nine-hour days lately – maybe on my two days off I’ll find some time. I of course realize the importance of employment. It helps pay for things like a roof over your head and food in your refrigerator. But it also costs you something to – your time. These days so many of us are spending even more time at work, which…