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Today's topic was inspired by a post my blogging pal, Kari @ A Grace Full Life shared, which I thought was quite interesting. The questions originally came from Minnie Driver’s podcast, in which she asks each of her guests seven existential questions.

So, here are my answers to these questions. And thanks for the inspiration, Kari! 💗

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1- When and where were you the happiest?

I'm happiest when I focus on how blessed I am. That may sound corny, but gratitude does that for me.


2- What quality do you like the least about yourself?

I am extremely impatient with slow walkers. And when I say extremely, I mean EXTREMELY. I walk very, very fast. And it's not that I walk fast because I'm in a hurry. I walk fast because I'm a natural-born fast walker. The second my feet hit the streets, I fly! So, when I'm walking behind someone in this city who walks at a sloth's pace, I have visions of my foot up their ass and yelling, "MOVE....you #!@!!"*#!!!!"

Yet, for as impatient as I am. I'm extremely patient with animals, children, or older adults walking.


3- What relationship- real or fictional-defines love for you?

The love that Michael J. Fox and his dear wife, Tracy Pollan, share. Because it epitomizes what human unconditional love is.

4- What would be your last meal?

Oh, that's easy. Pasta (with olive oil, garlic, basil, grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese), and a glass of red wine. 


5– What person, place, or experience has most altered your life?

(I'm going to answer this question with two experiences because there is a correlation between them) 

-When my family moved from Pennsylvania to Florida in 1973. Although I no longer live there, Florida was, without a doubt, a major transformative experience for me. Florida encouraged me to blossom in so many ways. It was as if all that sunshine, palm trees, and warm weather fertilized my soul and gave me a sense of freedom to be who I was born to be - ME. Florida will always hold a huge place in my heart. 💗

-Ironically, another life-altering experience was when I moved back to Pennsylvania from Florida in 2001 and reclaimed my roots. I had to move away from my roots to only realize how deeply connected I was to them. I love this part of the States (Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions). I love the physicality of this region And I also love the "energy" of this region.      

*note: I went from enjoying the constant heat and sunshine of Florida, back to adoring the four seasons. Unlike most humans, I feel much more comfortable being cold than hot. I'm a huge fan of Autumn and Winter. To me, 75 degrees is too hot. LOL!   


6- What question would you most like answered?

Where the hell do missing socks go?


7- What in your life has grown out of personal disaster?

When I first moved back to Philadelphia, I went through the darkest time in my life, which lasted two years. I experienced what I now know as "The Dark Night of the Soul." Everything was stripped away from me. Not only did I have to file for financial bankruptcy, but what was even more devastating was that I felt bankrupt inside. There has never been a time in my life when I was as frightened, confused, and lost. Forsaken. I was suspended over a big black hole; not knowing whether I'd fall. And yet, as bankrupt and powerless as I felt, I wouldn't change that experience for anything in the world. 

I look back at that two-year awakening process as the death of my old self and the birth of my true self.

I needed to be stripped of everything to see just how much I had

It wasn't until I experienced total darkness, did I appreciate all the light in my life. 

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I know this has nothing to do with my post topic. However, I would like to conclude this post with a silly photo collage I created using selfies. I took these photographs one day while sitting in a cafe. I suddenly went nuts (too much caffeine); making a variety of crazy faces with my cellphone. 

Every once in a while the "actor" in me comes out and I become a HAM sandwich...


Have a faaaaaaaaaaaabulous rest of your week, everyone! 💗


*If you so desire, please feel free to share your own responses to any of these questions within your comments.


22 comments:

  1. I'm with you Ron, Michael J. Fox and Tracy Pollan are a prime example of unconditional (and committed) love. Such a sweet couple! I noticed on your sidebar that you recently watched the Michael J. Fox documentary. Me too! Wasn't it wonderful? I thought it woud be depressing, but it was anything but.

    OMG, I loved your most liked answered question. lol! Me too. Where DO they go?!?!?

    The quality I like least about myself would be my obession with having to parnoidingly explain myself so that others don't get the wrong idea about something I might have said or done. I worry to much about what others think.

    That photo collage of you is priceless. What a FACE!

    Thanks for your humor and inspiring words, Ron. xo

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  2. Morning, Candice!

    Wasn't that documentary totally NOT what you thought it would be? I too thought it might be depressing, But the way in which he shared his life experience with Parkinson's was incredible because he didn't sugarcoat anything, but he also did cry "victim" (whoa is me!). And it had a lot of humor in it too. The thing that shocked me the most was that I didn't realize he was only 29 when he was first diagnosed. That's so young! And also, that he and Tracy have been married over 30 years. What an inspiration they are!

    I just recently lost a sock when doing my laundry and for the life of me, I could NOT find it. Where the hell do they go?!?!

    I too used to be overly concerned about what other people thought of me; particularly when I was younger. So I understand.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a fantastic day and weekend!

    X

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  3. "So, when I'm walking behind someone in this city who walks at a sloth's pace, I have visions of my foot up their ass and yelling, "MOVE....you #!@!!"*#!!!!" --- Ron, that's hilarious! And I feel you because I can be the same way. It may be because we are both city dwellers and walk a lot. And don't you love when the people in front of your who are in a group, walk in horizontal line across the sidewalk so that you can't even get around them? Drives me NUTS!

    Wow, your experience (#7) of growth from a personal disaster was inspiring. I can't imagine what that must have been like. And for TWO years? Did you at anytime during those two years ever regret moving back East? Isn't it something how the worst times in our lives wake us up and teach us the most valuable lessons?

    For me (#5), my time spent traveling Europe for a month most altered my life. I learned so much from how others live. It was the best education I ever had. And I am so glad I did it because I hesitated at first. And speaking of PASTA, I had the best pasta while in Italy.

    Your selfie photo collage is a riot! I think you need to get back onstage.

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  4. Hey there, Daniel!

    "And don't you love when the people in front of your who are in a group, walk in horizontal line across the sidewalk so that you can't even get around them? Drives me NUTS!"

    OMG...yes! yes! yes!!!!!! Drives me NUTSO! It's like trying to get around a wall of people. I honestly think cities should hand out "walking instructions" to all of those 1st time city visitors, don't you? And you're right, I do think it's because we are city dwellers that it annoys us so much. But I will say that in NYC it's different because people there seem to ALL walk at the same fast pace.

    Yes, at first, I did think I had made a mistake moving back East. But I also sensed on a very deep level that 1) I needed to go through that for a reason, and 2) I'd come out of it learning something of great value. And I did. Like I said, looking back, I wouldn't change that experience for anything in world. Funny how something so challenging turns into something you now look at with gratitude.

    Oh, how wonderful that you traveled Europe for a month!!! And I agree with you, traveling is the best education you can get because it's an experience you take with you all your life. And how jealous I am of your time in Italy. I've been to Europe, but not Italy. I truly need to get there. I bet the food is insanely fabulous!

    Thanks a lot for stopping by, Daniel! And thanks for sharing! Have a great rest of your week!

    X

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  5. I guess if I'm going to get a foot up my ass, yours would at least come with some humor and maybe a bowl of pasta when you felt bad that it was me! I'm that slow walker!! Ron's a fast walker... working in Philly and needing to be in various places he got used to hitting the ground running. Now, he's still walking fast, but trying to keep up with Luna when he takes her around town. And it's not getting any easier, his knees have some hurties now.
    We had pasta again last night! Thin spaghetti, homemade meatballs, Bertolli marinara. I had some leftover club rolls that I turned into garlic bread. And red wine! So, yes, I think a last meal would be something like that for me too.
    I guess my most life altering experience was being married so young. I had a husband and then a new baby to care for at 19. It worked out quite nicely though... children, grandchildren, and our 40th anniversary is this year!
    Fabulously FUNNY collage, Ron!! They are all soooo YOU! Thanks for the morning giggle! xo
    ~M

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  6. "I guess if I'm going to get a foot up my ass, yours would at least come with some humor and maybe a bowl of pasta when you felt bad that it was me!"

    LOL! Well, if you come to Philly and we hang out sometime, you can take an UBER, and Ron and I will walk. Ha!

    "We had pasta again last night! Thin spaghetti, homemade meatballs, Bertolli marinara"

    OMG, how funny...I had pasta two nights ago. I tossed in some steamed brocolli and basil, with a red sauce. YU-MY! Don't you just love pasta?

    "I guess my most life altering experience was being married so young. I had a husband and then a new baby to care for at 19. It worked out quite nicely though... children, grandchildren, and our 40th anniversary is this year"

    *applause, applause*

    Thanks AWESOME! And CONGRATS, my friend! 40 years, that's WONDERFUL!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, neighbor. Have a terrific rest of your week and weekend!

    X

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  7. I love this, and I love you!

    I just wanted to let you know that my husband and I watched the Michael J. Fox documentary last night on AppleTv. It was fantastic. I hope you'll be able to watch it. So it's funny you mentioned them here because I completely agree with you on their relationship.

    There is nothing corny about being grateful. Gratitude does the same thing for me, Ron.

    I love how you were able to appreciate Pennsylvania more because of your experiences in Florida. And I agree with you on the weather...anything hotter than 75 degrees and I'm out! I appreciate the seasons far more than I used to. I'm so glad I live somewhere with four distinct seasons.

    I love how you were able to appreciate Pennsylvania more because of your experiences in Florida. And I agree with you on the weather...anything hotter than 75 degrees and I'm out! I appreciate the seasons far more than I used to. I'm so glad I live somewhere with four distinct seasons.

    Oh, the socks! YES! WHERE IN THE HELL ARE THEY? 🤣

    Thank you for being so open and honest in this post. I appreciate it because I understand just how hard it is to put yourself out there. I understand being stripped and reborn. I'm so glad you're here, my friend, and sharing your journey with us all.

    I'm so grateful for you. Sending you so much love. 😘

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  8. Ron, I totally agree about the walking thing. I, too, am a FAST walker. Always have been, in fact. Most people just can't keep up with me. It's not that I'm a city girl; it's just my nature, I guess. So many things to see and do that there's no time to dawdle!


    Missing socks? Hmm. I suppose it's my Virgo nature, but I don't usually have a problem with this (oh, dear, I hope I'm not jinxing myself!!). Too often, the doggone socks ball up in the sheets, I've found. At least you know when one's missing because they come as a pair!


    The two-year period you described sounds dreadful. Yes, I realize everything came out good in the end, but gee, at what cost? Living under that much stress couldn't have been good for you. I'm so happy things have improved.


    Enjoy your coming weekend. {{{ YOU }}}

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  9. Helloooooooooooooooo there, Kari!

    Once again, thanks so much for the inspiration. I really enjoyed putting this post together!

    "I just wanted to let you know that my husband and I watched the Michael J. Fox documentary last night on AppleTv. It was fantastic. I hope you'll be able to watch it. So it's funny you mentioned them here because I completely agree with you on their relationship.."

    OMG, how ironic, I saw it too!!!! I watched it a week ago. Agree....it was FANTASTIC! In fact, if you look on the sidebar of my blog, you'll see that I highlighted it as my most recent movie watch.

    "....anything hotter than 75 degrees and I'm out! I appreciate the seasons far more than I used to. I'm so glad I live somewhere with four distinct seasons."

    You too?!?! See, and yet another thing you and I have in common. The only season I don't care for is Summer. And I have a feeling this one is going to be excruciatingly hot and humid. PRAY FOR ME! LOL!

    During the 16 years of publishing this blog, I've share a lot of personal stuff. This blog was originally entitled, "Vent" because I wanted a place where I could vent my feelings. I changed it to "Being Ron" many years ago because I began including many other topics and interests I have.

    "I'm so glad you're here, my friend, and sharing your journey with us all.

    I'm so grateful for you. Sending you so much love. 😘"

    Back at ya' my friend! Have a faaaaaaaabulous weekend!

    X

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  10. Hey there, Debbie!

    ". I, too, am a FAST walker. Always have been, in fact. Most people just can't keep up with me. It's not that I'm a city girl; it's just my nature, I guess."


    You too?!?!? OMG, it drives me insane to walk behind a slow walker. In fact, it happened to me this afternoon as I was walking home from the post office. What's crazy is that's it's usually the younger people (college students) who are the slow walkers. I'm 67 years old and I have more walking energy than they do. LOL!

    "Too often, the doggone socks ball up in the sheets, I've found. At least you know when one's missing because they come as a pair!"

    Yup, and I also had socks attach themselves to the inside of a T-shirt. And I don't find them until I go to wear the shirt. HA! But most of the time, I simply cannot find them. UGH!

    Going through that experience was most definitely stressful and scary. However, there was nothing I could do except embrace it; do the best I could during those two years; and LEARN from it. Which I did. Like I said, I wouldn't change that experience for anything in the world. And I truly mean that. It made me stronger for things in my future. I now know I can get through tough times. That experience literally altered me.

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

    X

    P.S. the weather here has been glorious!

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  11. The Fox/Pollan relationship is TRULY one to admire and look up to. I don't know anything about their kids, but I will bet they are wonderful people! I enjoyed reading your answers, Ron. I also am an inpatient person, but moreso about certain things. I can't tolerate it when people can't make decisions. I was with a group of friends yesterday and I about lost it when they stood around at a market, deciding what to get for our picnic. Same thing happened when we got to the winery; nobody wanted to decide on a bottle of wine. I finally walked away because I really didn't care!

    I answered three of the other questions at Kari's place, so I will try to answer the others. Question I'd like answered: Why do some people who live unhealthy lives live into their 90's, while health nuts can get cancer and die in their 40's? This really bothers me! Growth after a personal disaster? I've been fortunate to not have much bad happen to me. I'd say that growing up with a brother who had undiagnosed autism and then having a daughter with autism makes me more understanding and accepting of others, whether they have physical, cognitive, or emotional problems.

    I hope you have a relaxing Memorial Day weekend, Ron. XOXO

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  12. Isn't the Fox/Pollan relationship so inspiring? I sometimes will see them on a talk show and start crying when they talk about their relationship because I find it so touching. And yes, their kids are equally as wonderful. If you get the chance, watch the documentary that just came out (STILL: A Michael J. Fox Movie), because their kids are in it. I thought the documentary would be a on sad/depressing side yet, it was anything but.

    "Same thing happened when we got to the winery; nobody wanted to decide on a bottle of wine. I finally walked away because I really didn't care!"

    OMG, I feel the same way about that!!!! And sometimes people will refer to me as "bossy" because whenever I'm in a situation like the one described, I get so sick and tired of people not being able to decide, that I just make the decision for them because I can't bear to hear them say, "I can't decide, which one should be get?" Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

    "Why do some people who live unhealthy lives live into their 90's, while health nuts can get cancer and die in their 40's?"

    Oooooooooooooooooo, that's a GREAT question!!!!! And I've often wondered that myself.

    "I'd say that growing up with a brother who had undia gnosed autism and then having a daughter with autism makes me more understanding and accepting of others, whether they have physical, cognitive, or emotional problems."


    That's a perfect example of what I said about taking a challenging experience and learning from it. And you DID that!!! You embraced it, learned something from it; which made you more understanding, accepting, and compassion towards others.

    Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing, my friend. Always enjoy your comments!

    Have a grrrrrrrrrreat Memorial Day weekend!

    X

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  13. Hi Ron, it's nice to be back to blog reading after being away on a getaway, which was to PA. We were not near Philly, which I would dearly love to see again as you may know I graduated from Temple, back in the day. Instead, we were in Reading, Jim Thorpe and Lancaster...maybe one day. I unplugged and did not bring a computer on the trip, so no blog reading or posting and found that being disconnected was quite nice and relaxing too.

    I am with you on preferring cooler temps to hot ones and anything over 75 degrees is too hot for me too.

    You are SO not alone in asking WHERE the missing socks go? I have had to go back to the laundry room a few times to retrieve one lost in the washer or dryer.

    While I do enjoy a good pasta meal, my preference for a final one would be seafood as a first choice since we have been cutting down on carbs. But, then, if it was a FINAL meal what would that matter?

    Glad you have come back out of that dark place. The selfies show you are a great sense of fun !

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  14. Goooood morning, D!

    GREAT to see ya' back! Hope you had a fantastic time on your getaway!

    "Instead, we were in Reading, Jim Thorpe and Lancaster...maybe one day. "

    It's so ironic that you mentioned those two places because I've never been to either, but they are on my list of places I want to visit. In fact, I will be going to Lancaster sometime in June. It's only an hour train ride from Philly. Jim Thorpe I would like to visit come Fall. I've seen photos of it online and it's looks so charming.

    Doesn't it feel great to disconnect from the internet/computer/cellphone and just "BE"?

    They weather here has not been too hot or humid as of yet. However, I have feeling this summer is going to be a doozy.

    " But, then, if it was a FINAL meal what would that matter?"
    LOL That is soooooooooooo true!

    Thanks so much for stopping by. Hope you're enjoying a great Memorial Day weekend. I've been working this weekend, but it hasn't been too busy in our store because everyone here goes to the Jersey Shore for the holiday.

    X

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  15. Ron, that photo collage of you is adorable! You have such BLUE eyes!

    I too would like to know WHERE the missing socks go!!! I've lost several of my husband's socks over the years. And I can't tell if it happens in the washer or the dryer, they simply vanished.

    My last meal would lasagna with a BOTTLE of red wine. LOL!

    "I'm happiest when I focus on how blessed I am. That may sound corny, but gratitude does that for me." --- I got that right! We seem to think that having more will make us the happiest. I'm not saying don't have goals, but we can't always have what we want because it simply wasn't meant to be. It's at those times, I have found that focusing on what I already have, makes me feel that I have all that I need. And the happiest!

    Happy Memorial Day weekend, Ron! xoxo

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  16. Hey there, Elaine!

    Do you know what's funny? I'm the only one in my family who has blue eyes. Everyone else has either brown or green eyes. One time I asked my father who else in our family tree had blue eyes. He said that his father (who passed away when I was only few years old), had blue eyes.

    OMG, I love lasagna too!

    I love what you shared here...

    "We seem to think that having more will make us the happiest. I'm not saying don't have goals, but we can't always have what we want because it simply wasn't meant to be. It's at those times, I have found that focusing on what I already have, makes me feel that I have all that I need. And the happiest!"

    AGREE! We can't always have what we 'think" we want. Often I have found that when I don't achieve something I desire, something happens that actually "shows" me that it was better I didn't achieve it because it wasn't what I thought it would be.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, Elaine! Happy Memorial Day weekend to you too!

    X

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  17. Hey Ron, I wanted to stop back to let you know that I watched the Michael J. Fox documentary last night and really enjoyed it. Two things. I couldn't believe that he was 29-years old when he found out he had Parkinson's. So he's been living with it for 30 years!!!! And I really liked how the doc was edited with his movies. Very clever!

    And you're right, he and Tracy are a perfect example of UNconditional love!

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  18. Sorry I'm late to the game, Ron. But I wanted to watch the MJF documentary before I left my comment. It's been on my watch list for the past few weeks. A-MAZING story! Not only did it make me cry, but laugh as well. It was the perfect balance of raw honesty, mixed with humor. What an inspiration both he and Tracy are to "in sickness and in health".

    I too (being a native NY'er) am inpatient with slow walkers. And being from NY, I expect everyone else to walk as fast as I do. My last meal choice would be a quesadilla with tortilla chips and guacamole!

    "It wasn't until I experienced total darkness, did I appreciate all the light in my life." I love how you take every challenging experience you've had in your life and found the good!

    That photo collage of you is so f'in adorable! xox

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  19. Daniel, thanks so much for stopping back and sharing your thoughts on the documentary. Wasn't it WONDERFUL? Me too, I could NOT believe he was only 29 and living with it for 30 years!?!?!?

    I too enjoyed the editing. And the clips they used matched the storyline perfectly.

    I have a feeling I will be watching that documentary several times a year.

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  20. Hola Denise!

    No worries, my friend. You're never late to the party, you're right on time!

    SO glad to hear that you watched the documentary and enjoyed it. Right? it was a perfect blend of honesty AND humor!

    "What an inspiration both he and Tracy are to "in sickness and in health"."

    Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    "I too (being a native NY'er) am inpatient with slow walkers. And being from NY, I expect everyone else to walk as fast as I do. My last meal choice would be a quesadilla with tortilla chips and guacamole!"


    I am the same way! But at least in NYC, people know how to walk. The right side of the pavement is for the slow walkers, the left side is for FAST walkers. And GREAT choice for your final meal. I love Mexican food too!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, Denise! Hope you had a Happy Memorial Day!

    X

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  21. "Every once in a while the "actor" in me comes out and I become a HAM sandwich..."

    Ron, your photo collage is priceless! You've got a face made of rubber. LOL! Nice beard! You make me want to grow one. However, I need to wait until I turn gray because it's the color of yours I really like. And it's so well groomed!

    My last meal would be lobster, with several glasses (maybe even a bottle) of white wine!

    Anytime you share about your life's journey, you always say something that inspires me how to perceive life, and it's challenging experiences. We will never avoid challenges, will we? So it's best to embrace, ride them out, and then learn something for our future.

    Thank you, dude!

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  22. Hiya, Matt!

    Thanks, buddy! Grooming my beard is a full-time job because my hair grows so damn fast, I have to trim it every other day. I also have to cut my hair every 10 days. I love having gray hair and couldn't wait until I got my first. I was around 27 years old when I discover a small patch of gray on the back of my head. And I was SO happy!!!!

    "My last meal would be lobster, with several glasses (maybe even a bottle) of white wine!"

    Sounds like a GREAT meal!! Wine goes with everything, doesn't it?

    "We will never avoid challenges, will we? So it's best to embrace, ride them out, and then learn something for our future."

    You got that right! It's inevitable that challenges will come our way because I believe that's the purpose of life. To learn. And also to be of service to others. As difficult as some of my own challenges have been, I see them now as GEMS because they taught me for future challenges.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, Matt! Always a joy to read your comments!

    X

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