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Since I ended last weeks' posting with some sarcastic life quotes, I thought it would be a nice balance to end this week with several inspirational life quotes, which I find for my own life to be true.

I think we all pretty much have similar life experiences, we humans, but I think we each go through them according to our own unique perspectives. Our experiences may be similar, but our paths are sometimes different.

We all grow and learn in our own manner.

Gratitude

One of the things I’ve learned about my own life is that if I’m ever going through a rough and challenging time, it helps me tremendously to not focus on the challenge, but rather focus on all the things I have in my life to be grateful for.

Gratitude seems to put me in a positive frame of mind, thus it makes going through any challenge much easier. Because when I focus on what I have to be grateful for, it seems to draw more positive things into my life; giving me a sense of peace as I move through the challenge.

Gratitude seems to free me up to see the bigger picture, or at least trust that everything is happening to me for a good reason. And when I look back on the challenges I've had in my life, I look at them with gratitude as well because they brought me to where I am today.

As I’ve shared many times before on this blog, I live my life different than a lot of people. I choose to live my life by allowing life to give me what I need, and then taking my cues from life. And if I listen and take notice to what life is presenting to me at any given moment, I know it will guide me exactly where I need to be and what I need to do.

I live my life by trusting that my life knows better than me.

Fear

I'm often presented with life experiences that frighten me. Yet, fear has been one of the most valuable gifts my life as given me because I've learned to trust in spite of fear. I've learned to admit fear, and in doing so, stopped resisting it by pretending that I'm not afraid. And oddly enough, anything I've ever been afraid of and did, I always survived. And it made me stronger for the next thing I feared because I will never be fearless. However, I will continue to walk through it.

So yes, I'm even grateful for the fear in my life.

Anyhoo...

Today I would like to share some inspirational life quotes, which I overlaid onto photographs that I’ve taken myself. Most of these photos are recent, yet a few I took several years ago.

Please enjoy...











Wishing you an inspiring weekend everyone!
X

*Note: Some of these photo prints may be purchased at my Zazzle Store: Caught My Eye

54 comments:

  1. This post has cast light on current situations, Ron; I can't thank you enough for posting your thoughts.

    'Happiness often sneaks in through a door you didn't think was open'



    I love that... and I know someone who would benefit from knowing it. Who knows, it might help her in an onward battle.


    Your choice of photographs to accompany the quotations is fabulous. Well done, you. .


    Peace be with you this weekend xx

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  2. Good food for thought, Ronnie. Have a fantabulous weekend!

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  3. I love this post! I am going through a trying time as you know I am unemployed again (but have a second interview today woot!) so I really need to focus on what I am grateful for. This post could not have come at a better time for me. And of course my fav quote photo of the bunch is the one that says "there is always something to be grateful for" the picture and the quote really made me smile. Awesome way to end the week Ronnie!

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  4. I got sidetracked first by the Will and Grace video in your sidebar. I loved that show.


    I especially liked the one about not regretting anything. I'm such a believer in that - regrets just serve no useful purpose. And I have plenty of mistakes in my past, but so what? They've made me who I am. And some of them were a lot of fun at the time. ;)


    Happy weekend, Ron!

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  5. Wow, what a fabulous post, Ron, And you're timing could not have been better because I could use an emotional lift right now.

    ",,it helps me tremendously to not focus on the challenge, but rather focus on all the things I have in my life to be grateful for..."

    I love how you stress the importance of gratitude. This is something I really need to work on. I know for a fact that if you go around angry and negative all the time, you will miss out on so much--and you'll probably miss the very thing that could help you solve your problems.

    These quotes are fantastic and the accompanying images are great. This is such an excellent post!


    You got my weekend off to a great start, buddy, so I want to wish you a tremendous weekend as well!


    Take care!

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  6. Ron, this post could not have come at a better time because your own words and the quotes you shared, I needed to read right now. You are so right, focusing on what I have to be grateful for makes going through rough times much easier because it focuses my attention on hearing a solution rather than the challenge. And I really believe that.


    I especially love the quotes and photos on regret and life being like a camera!


    Thank you, Ron! Have a wonderful weekend x

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  7. Goooooooood morning Valerie!


    You are so welcome, dear lady, glad you found something here to pass on to someone you know :)


    Isn't the happiness quote fabulous? And when I spotted it, I suddenly got the idea of paring it with one of my door photos.


    Much thanks for stopping by and have lovely weekend!


    X to you and Joe!

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  8. Have a FANTABULOUS weekend as well, Bijoux!


    And much thanks for stopping by, my friend!


    X

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  9. Hey there Shae!


    The BEST to you with your interview today, girl!!!!!


    ((((((((((((( You )))))))))))))


    Glad you enjoyed the grateful quote and fruit photo. That's one of the photographs I took a few years ago.


    Thanks a bunch for stopping by and have an AWESOME weekend!!!!


    X

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  10. "I got sidetracked first by the Will and Grace video in your sidebar. I loved that show."

    HAHAHAHAHAHA! Meeeeee too, girl! And I especially loved Karen and Jack! OMG...they were HYSTERICAL!

    "I'm such a believer in that - regrets just serve no useful purpose. And I have plenty of mistakes in my past, but so what? They've made me who I am. And some of them were a lot of fun at the time. ;)"



    Ditto! Same here! And as long as I learned something from the choices I've made, there is no such thing as failures, so there is nothing to regret.


    Much thanks for stopping by and HAPPY weekend to you!

    X

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  11. This is so true, Ron. Whenever something negative happens in our lives, Mo and I always say that we have a lot to be grateful for. That makes us feel happier and when we are happy, things seem to turn out better. I'm a real believer in 'negativity begets more negativity'

    Brilliant quotes, especially the first one :)

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  12. Hey there Rob!

    " I know for a fact that if you go around angry and negative all the time, you will miss out on so much--and you'll probably miss the very thing that could help you solve your problems."



    Couldn't have said that any better! And I know it's hard sometimes to not angry or negative about certain challenges we go through. And I think anger IS part of the process as we move through the challenge. Yet, if we stay there (as you so insightfully shared) we miss the very thing that could help us solve the problem.


    I once had a meditation teacher tell me that if we keep focusing on the challenge, that's where all our energy goes. Yet if we focus on gratitude, not only will we get a solution, but we also see the VALUE in the challenge. And he was right!


    Much thanks for stopping by, buddy! Have a tremendously fabulous weekend!


    X

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  13. Hola Denise!

    "You are so right, focusing on what I have to be grateful for makes going through rough times much easier because it focuses my attention on hearing a solution rather than the challenge. And I really believe that."

    Yes, and I believe that too. And as I shared with Rob in my comment to him, I once had a meditation teacher tell me that if we keep focusing on the challenge, that's where all our energy goes. Yet if we focus on gratitude, not only will we get a solution, but we also see the VALUE in the challenge.

    "and life being like a camera!"



    Isn't that quote about life being like a camera STELLAR?? I love it because it's true!


    Thanks so much for stopping by, girl. Have a wonderful weekend too!


    ((((((((((( You ))))))))))


    X

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  14. " Whenever something negative happens in our lives, Mo and I always say that we have a lot to be grateful for. That makes us feel happier and when we are happy, things seem to turn out better. I'm a real believer in 'negativity begets more negativity'"


    Babs.......I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE that!!!!!!! And you are so right....negativity begets MORE negativity.


    And also love the attitude you and Mo have :)


    I found that first quote online and loved it. Isn't it brilliant?


    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a lovely weekend!


    X to you and Mo!

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  15. "I live my life by trusting that my life knows better than me."


    Powerful words, Ron! And I believe the same thing about my own life because way too often I thought I knew better and struggled with what my life was giving me, not realizing that what I wanted was not what I needed or for the best. And I think the important thing for me to realize is that even though I may want something and go after it, the path to get there will sometimes have detours, which have often turned out to be the best route.


    I love the quote and photo about life being dull if there were no such difficulties. Where was that photo taken? I love all the lines and angles.

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  16. When you practice gratitude everything else seems to fall right into place.
    Love this, Ron. Hope your weekend is fabulous!

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  17. "When you practice gratitude everything else seems to fall right into place."

    Yes, it SURE does, Suzi! It's seems to manifest more gratitude.

    Much thanks for stopping by, my friend. Have FABULOUS weekend!

    X

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  18. Hiya Matt!

    "And I think the important thing for me to realize is that even though I may want something and go after it, the path to get there will sometimes have detours, which have often turned out to be the best route."

    Thank you! And it's so ironic you shared those words because that something I forget to say myself in this post. Often the detours turn out to be the best route. Which is why I believe that my life knows what's best for me.

    I took that photo inside the lobby of the Comcast Building here in Philly. I pointed the camera UP and shot the steel and glass ceiling. And if you look real close, you will see 'people sculptures' walking along the steel beams above. That building is SOOOOOO cool! I may be posting some more photos (and a video) I took this week on a later post.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, buddy. Have an excellent weekend!
    X

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  19. Ron, I never even noticed the people sculptures walking along steel beams. That is so impressive! I would love to see more photos of inside, dude.

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  20. Aren't they cool, Matt? They also have a HUGE invisible movie screen on one of the walls in the lobby, which projects short films clips in 3D. I took some video footage of them, so I may post them at a later date.

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  21. Oh my, how lovely and hopeful these all were, I really can't pick a fav from the bunch, I loved them all. :-)


    You are a wise man Ron. More and more, I realize the value of wisdom as opposed to mere intelligence, as I get older, there is a difference.


    Thanks so much for sharing these thoughts, quotes and photos. Stellar post!


    I hope you have a wonderful weekend, G

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  22. Hey there Geraldine!

    Thank you :) Glad you enjoyed. I had a lot of fun putting the quotes to the photos.

    "More and more, I realize the value of wisdom as opposed to mere intelligence, as I get older, there is a difference."

    Yes....you are so spot on about that. There IS a difference and as we get older, we see that don't we?

    Much thanks for stopping by, my friend. Hope your weekend is a FABULOUS one!

    X

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  23. What good words of wisdom you've captured here, Ron! I can so relate to the fear angle -- I often wonder how many things we'd do if we weren't afraid (of failing, of embarrassing ourselves or our loved ones, etc.)

    And you're so right -- gratitude has a way of focusing our attention on the GOOD STUFF rather than the bad. We all have challenges and disappointments; it's how we react to them that shows our character. Those who insist on looking on the bright side tend to be not only happier but also healthier, don't you think?

    Happy weekend, my friend!

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  24. Life is like a camera - yep! So often when I am undecided - so many things I want and the people around me want - if I'll take some time and focus, things sort out.

    Thanks Ron! I'm going to go focus now. :)

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  25. Wonderful sentiments, Ron. And such great reminders about gratitude. I tend to focus on what I don't have/haven't achieved and it helps to bring me back to focus on what I DO have and HAVE achieved.
    Beautiful photos, too!
    Hey, what is that 5th pic from the bottom? Are those people climbing?

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  26. I was going to try and select a favorite from your collection, but can't seem to settle on just one! I love the first and last ones...and all the ones in-between! Your mindset on life is wonderfully stated. I wonder what life has in store for you this weekend! Something fun, I hope!

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  27. You're such an inspiration Ron! Love the pics & the sayings! Have a great weekend!

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  28. Aw...thanks, Benze! Glad you enjoyed, my friend!

    Mucho thanks for stopping by and have a SUPER weekend!

    X

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  29. Hiya Lisa!

    Thank you :)

    It's funny because I think the first and last ones are my favorites too. I LOVE those quotes!

    " I wonder what life has in store for you this weekend! Something fun, I hope!"



    Well, partially I'll be working but Sunday I have off, so I can't wait to get outside, take more photos, and enjoy this wonderful weather we're having. It's been soooooo beautiful!


    Much thanks for stopping by, my friend. Have a most excellent weekend!

    X

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  30. Thanks, Chrissy girl :)

    "I tend to focus on what I don't have/haven't achieved and it helps to bring me back to focus on what I DO have and HAVE achieved."

    Amen!

    And trust me, I can get that way at times too, so I understand. It's just that when I pull myself back into noticing all the awesome things I have in my life to be grateful for, including what I've achieved, it somehow makes me feel more positive and hopeful.

    "Hey, what is that 5th pic from the bottom? Are those people climbing?"



    BINGO! Yes...you noticed the people climbing, how observant you are! That shot is from inside the lobby of the Comcast Building here in Philly. I pointed my camera UP and took a photograph of the steel and glass roof. Isn't it COOL? Those are people sculptures.


    Thanks so much for stopping by, girl. Have a fantabulous weekend!


    X

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  31. Hey there David!

    Isn't that Life is Like a Camera quote fantastic?

    "So often when I am undecided - so many things I want and the people around me want - if I'll take some time and focus, things sort out."



    Good for you, buddy!


    Thanks so much for stopping by and have a super focus weekend!


    X

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  32. Hellooooooooo Debbie!

    " I can so relate to the fear angle -- I often wonder how many things we'd do if we weren't afraid (of failing, of embarrassing ourselves or our loved ones, etc.)"

    Exactly!

    I can be a very fearful person, yet the people who know me think I am fearless. And I tell them, no...I am not fearless...but I refuse to give into them. Fear is a theme in my life, so I know I have MUCH to learn from it.

    " We all have challenges and disappointments; it's how we react to them that shows our character. Those who insist on looking on the bright side tend to be not only happier but also healthier, don't you think?"



    Yup...I TOTALLY agree! And when I alter my perception and focus on the GOOD in my life, it makes going through a challenge so much easier and positive.


    Thanks so much for stopping by, dear lady. Have a happy and inspiring weekend!


    X

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  33. Killer post, Ron! You have such a great way with words and expressing how you feel. And I agree with you 100% on gratitude. My grandmother was one of the most inspiring people in my life because no matter what hardships life tossed her, she always looked at the bright side and would say, "Well, I have a lot to be grateful for too!"


    Wonderful photographs and quotes! And how you matched them up together is perfect. My favorites are the first, third, eighth, and last ones. The eighth one is so Goth looking. Where was that taken?

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  34. Hey ho Robert!

    You know, I would loved to have met your grandmother because in just the few things you've shared about her in your comments, she sounded like such an AWESOME lady!

    "My grandmother was one of the most inspiring people in my life because no matter what hardships life tossed her, she always looked at the bright side and would say, "Well, I have a lot to be grateful for too!"

    What a SUPER attitude and outlook!

    "The eighth one is so Goth looking. Where was that taken?"

    Yes, you're right, it does look GOTH. I took that photo sooooo many months ago. It was shot from the inside court area of City Hall, looking through one of the passageways that you can walk through. I actually edited that shot A LOT to get it to look that way. The photo has been on my computer hard drive forever, until I realized I could use it for that quote.

    Much thanks for stopping by, buddy. Have a TERRIFIC weekend!

    X

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  35. Thanks for explaining Ron! Love the photo. Also, as I reading comments, one of your other readers mentioned the Will and Grace clip you have on your sidebar, which I didn't see myself. Great clip! I loved that show. And I agree, Karen and Jack were hysterical!

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  36. Karen and Jack were my FAVORITES!

    Robert, here is a link to some other video clips similar to the one I have on my sidebar. You'll find lots of clips there. I wish they had the FULL episodes on You Tube but they don't, just little snippets.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZ7Ll9_t_rk

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  37. Oh, don't make me pick. I like them all...for varying reasons. Right now I'm liking the "afraid" one. And like you, I know enough to do it anyway. It's always served me to pay attention to the fears. And when I wade through it to the other side, I'm always glad I met it head on--no matter how daunting. Like you, "I've learned to trust in spite of fear". And yes, to date I've survived....more than that, actually, I've lived.


    And I'm one who might (hahaha, no 'might' to it) whine and toss a bit of a tizzy...but I always seem to come back to gratitude. I'm truly blessed a thousand fold. (The fruit made me smile!) I'm just graced I guess.


    Yup....Always do what I'm afraid of. ((((Ron)))) Good timing. It would seem that's true for a whole lot of us.

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  38. I cannot bring myself to leave my usual flippant comment on this, a truly thoughtful post. Bravo Ron.

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  39. Thanks, Val :)

    "of course, i love the last one. it hits home and something personal i can truly understand. love the quote, can i steal it?"

    HA! And do you know what's ironic? I specifically thought of YOU when I spotted that quote because of your love for photography! Yes, by all means...please steal it. I found it online with no specific author attached to it, so I don't even know WHO came up with that quote. But it's awesome, isn't it?

    Thanks so much for stopping by, girl. Hope your weekend was GREAT!

    X

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  40. " And like you, I know enough to do it anyway. It's always served me to pay attention to the fears. And when I wade through it to the other side, I'm always glad I met it head on--no matter how daunting. Like you, "I've learned to trust in spite of fear". And yes, to date I've survived....more than that, actually, I've lived."

    You GO, Mel!

    Fear has always been something I know I have A LOT to learn from because I fear MANY things. But I would rather walk through my fears than not. And when I look back on those fearful experiences, they were the experiences that taught me the most about so many things; mainly that everything is happening for a reason.

    "Yup....Always do what I'm afraid of. ((((Ron)))) Good timing. It would seem that's true for a whole lot of us."



    Yes, I think it's natural for all of us to fear.


    Much thanks for stopping by, dear lady. Hope you're weekend was fantabulous!


    (((((((((((((( You ))))))))))))))

    X

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  41. HA! Dale...I enjoy ALL your comments, buddy!!!


    And thank you for your kind words.


    Hope your weekend FABULOUS! I just noticed on my feed reader when I got home that you posted today, so I will be over sometime this evening for a read and comment.


    Have a super week!


    X

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  42. This post was nothing short of inspiring. Really, I find myself going back go review your pics and re-read your intro. Amazing work, my friend!

    My favorites are the out-of-focus lights, the door, and tunnel. Is there any way to get these things printed up on postcards or some such thing? These would be beautiful messages to share!

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  43. This is exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you for helping me to focus on the positive and to get out of my funk.

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  44. You are so welcome, Jean :) And I share this post as reminder for myself as well, to always be grateful and focus on what's positive.


    ((((((((((( YOU )))))))))))


    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a faaaaaaabulous week!

    X

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  45. Thank you, Herman :)

    "Is there any way to get these things printed up on postcards or some such thing?"



    Yes, as a matter of fact, I have most ALL of these photographs for sale in my Zazzle store. However, you just gave me a GREAT idea to go back and print and offer them also with the quotes on them. THANK YOU!


    It's funny because the photo of the out-of-focus lights was a mistake because I didn't have my camera set properly when I took the shot. However, I ended up liking the shot as is.


    Much thanks for stopping by, buddy. Hope your weekend was FAB!


    X to you, Karin, and Mr. Tyler!

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  46. Ron, I went back today and watched the clips of Will and Grace. Fun, fun, fun! Thank you!

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  47. You are so welcome! Aren't the clip FAABULOUS, Robert? I need to buy the series on DVD one day, so I can watch them over and over.

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  48. "There is always something to be grateful for." And for some lonely women, a banana certainly does the trick.

    BWAH HA HA HA HA OMG I AM SO SO SO SORRY! How inappropriate in such a positive post ha hahahahhahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaa You can ban me now from your blog. I deserve it.

    OK OK... back to seriousness.

    The never regret quote. It actually is a bit too real to me. It is beautiful and exactly what I need to hear.... it really REALLY hit home. These are beautiful!

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  49. ""There is always something to be grateful for." And for some lonely women, a banana certainly does the trick."

    Bwhahahahahahhahahahaah!
    Bwhahahahahahahahahaaha!

    Katherine....I LOVED that! HILARIOUS! See, this is why I love you because we have the same sense of humor AND we also like DECAY and BARBIE DOLLS!

    Glad you liked the regret quote, my friend. I don't know if you remember a post I shared about a year and a half ago about a conversation I had with my mother before she passed away, but it was about not wanting her to die with any regrets because she had so many. But I do think she found peace and let of the regrets before she died.

    Much thanks for stopping by, girl. Have a fantabulous week!
    X

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  50. I'm confused. I thought life was like a box of chocolates. Now I find out it's actually like a camera. That Forrest guy was full of shit!


    In all seriousness, great quotes. Thanks for sharing. Happy St. Paddy's Day!

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  51. "I'm confused. I thought life was like a box of chocolates. Now I find out it's actually like a camera. That Forrest guy was full of shit!"


    Bwhahahahahaha! Mark, that cracked me the hell up!


    Thanks for stopping by, buddy! Hope all went well with your move last weekend. Can't wait to read all about it.


    Happy St. Paddy's Day!


    X to you and Tara!

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  52. I Love the quotes you have shared!

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  53. Thank you, Pearl :)

    And thanks so much for stopping by. Have a lovely week, m'dear!

    X

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  54. nice set of photographs and quotes, ron. of course, i love the last one. it hits home and something personal i can truly understand. love the quote, can i steal it?

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