Craig Ruvere

Growing up in an Italian-American family, difficult conversations were always the white elephant in the room. Everyone knew they were there, but no one dared bring them up. But difficult conversations can only be ignored for so long before they come to a head (usher in an impromptu screaming match during family dinners). And while not every difficult conversation means fist-pounding at the dining room table and someone storming out in tears, no one every looks forward to having them. Why is that you might ask? Irina Firstein (LCSW), says, “Most people are reluctant to express their feelings and thoughts because they are concerned about rejection, anger or alienating others.” That sounds about right to me. Personally, I’ve had many bad experiences trying to have difficult conversations with people I…

“I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book.” – Groucho Marx When my wife and I moved from New Jersey to Colorado, we decided to try life without cable television. After all, we were in a new state and a new house and getting ourselves settled in both was our top priority. Since the house was already prewired for cable, we agreed we could always add it later on. Fast forward three years and you still won’t find cable television in my house. And you know what? We haven’t really missed it. Beyond the financial rewards of “cutting-the-cord” as the phrase goes, we’ve gotten back something immeasurable and irreplaceable once it’s gone - time. We once…