Craig Ruvere

30Nov 2015 by CJ

Do you know the value of life?

Though posted on the last day of November, I assume most of you will be reading this post on Tuesday, December 1st – the start of the official countdown to Christmas. It seems once again that time has escaped me as 2015 comes to a close. With every year I grow older I find some experiences, which occurred years ago, feel more like days or weeks to me – still vibrant and alive in my heart and my mind. And yet as I look back, half a lifetime has occurred – some good and some bad – but all part of the fibers that comprise the person I am today. Few of us realize (myself included) that time is a luxury – something we somewhat selfishly assume we’ll always have…

20Nov 2015 by CJ

Having a nice house doesn’t equal happiness

Generosity & Kindness, Life & Living

Whenever I’m feeling a little down in the dumps, there’s a gentleman at work who’s quick to point out, “You live in a nice house – what do you have to be unhappy about?” I’m always amused by such statements. I’m not really sure how a house, a car or any material possession can ever be a predicator for happiness. And yet Americans spend more time than they probably should convincing themselves that such “things” will bring them elation. Let me be the first to tell you – they won’t. That momentary gratification fades over time, a short time to be exact. What you’re left with is still that emptiness inside – that longing to belong to something; to be unconditionally loved by someone; to be deemed important enough that…

13Nov 2015 by CJ

Thanksgiving – unlock the fullness of life

Generosity & Kindness, Life & Living

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.” Melody Beattie When my wife and I purchased our New Jersey home back in 2002, we looked forward to hosting many memorable holiday celebrations – one being Thanksgiving. We both love the fall season – the sights, sounds and foods you only seem to dine on one day out of the entire year! We enjoy preparing the menu and the details, cooking together days before and creating a warm and…

10Nov 2015 by CJ

Why you want to lead – a necessary question

Life & Living

As we age and mature through life’s stages, it’s important to ask ourselves where our lives are going and what truly brings us fulfillment, purpose and joy. Lately I’ve pondered how important holding a leadership position in my career would ultimately be. While I have no doubt of my abilities to successfully perform the role (as I have in the past), there’s more to being a “leader” than simply achieving the title. Yes, we all have functions of our jobs that require us to be a “leader” to some degree, but leadership comes with responsibilities and expectations that few people who hold such a position ever fully realize. I’ve experienced truly amazing leadership, mediocre leadership and down right awful leadership – learning invaluable lessons from each. Perhaps Klaus Balkenhol sums…

04Nov 2015 by CJ

Opinions don’t always show your knowledge

Information & Education

“All opinions are not equal. Some are a very great deal more robust, sophisticated and well supported in logic and argument than others.” ― Douglas Adams, The Salmon of Doubt We all have opinions (after all, if I didn’t have one I wouldn’t be writing this blog!). The way I see it there are two kinds really: opinions which speak to the above quote by Douglas Adams, and those by people who just like to hear themselves talk. Be leery of the latter. I’m speaking of those individuals who typically have to challenge your opinion with an opposing one - many times for no other reason than to support a feeling of dominance as they wade through their imposing insecurities. There is nothing I like more than to hold a…