Craig Ruvere

25Jan 2016 by CJ

Peace comes from a place within us

Life & Living

“Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset.” – St. Francis De Sales My wife is truly an amazing person for many reasons, but the quality she possesses that I’m most envious of is her ability to continually maintain a calm spirit. Even during times of crisis or stress, she somehow manages to acknowledge her feelings and compartmentalize them constructively before they rob her earthly life of valuable time. Me? Well, I’m just the opposite. Maybe that’s why we’ve been so happily married for the last 14 years. Over the years I’ve come to realize that far too often we’re our own worst enemy. It’s easy to say that…

24Jan 2016 by CJ

Time lost is never found

Life & Living

“The key question to keep asking is, are you spending your time on the right things? Because time is all you have.” – Randy Pausch My typing teacher back in high school (yes, I did actually learn to type on a typewriter) used to always say, “Remember…time lost is never found so let’s not waste it!” And while I’m sure she was referring to our lack of focus during any given lesson, for me her words tend to speak more towards the lack of focus so many adults have as they journey through life. We are an impressionable society. We allow ourselves to be sucked in to the popularities our society deems important in order to be considered credible. We idolize people not because of their character, humility and contributions,…

21Jan 2016 by CJ

You have everything you need if you look for it

Generosity & Kindness, Life & Living

“We already have everything we need.” – Pema Chodron When the PowerBall jackpot was valued at $1.5 billion dollars, I don’t think there was a person alive who didn’t find themselves asking “what if”. It’s human nature to dream of the comfort, security and convenience such an incredible fortune would provide – not to mention a huge reduction in the everyday stresses we all suffer from. I admit getting caught up in the fantasy – playing out the “what if” scenario in my head like a young child who believes in magic and fairy tales. One day before the big drawing, I remember driving home from work and thinking to myself I’m pretty darn fortunate with the life I have right now. The reality is that I have everything I…

19Jan 2016 by CJ

Mistakes should never define your true value

Life & Living, Youth

“Have patience with all things, but first with yourself. Never confuse your mistakes with your value as a human being.” – St. Francis De Sales No one is perfect I’m not afraid to admit, with great certainty, that I’m not perfect. While striving for perfection in our careers, our relationships and our talents is noble, it’s an unattainable reality, which has driven countless individuals mad throughout history and destroyed its share of happy homes. Looking back on my life, I’ve made a great deal of mistakes I’m not particularly proud of. I’ve unintentionally hurt people who once meant a great deal to me, allowed pride to cloud my better judgement and fell victim to jealous tendencies, which often extinguish blossoming relationships. Sadly, it’s the mistakes we inevitably remember and come…

18Jan 2016 by CJ

Bullying is rough – but you have a right to be here

Youth

“Be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the tress and the stars; you have a right to be here.” – Max Ehrmann When I started high school, it was the year 1989. Back then the average price of a new house was $120,000… One gallon of gas was 97 cents… A BMW 325 would set you back $21,400… And mailing a letter only cost you a quarter. One thing you heard very little about in 1989 was a term now widely used amongst teens and young adults – bullying. Bullying is nothing more than using superior strength or influence in order to intimidate someone. And while such behavior has gone on for generations, it’s only recently been given a name and the attention…