“As a member of Generation X (age 44–59, born 1965–1980) and about 5 months away from turning 50 on October 30th (but still of course 49 years old now), I often find myself saying, “Where did the time go, and I can’t believe we lost another good one.” Every time I turn around, it seems like I’m being told, “Hey, did you hear who passed away?” or “Can you believe what happened to him/her?” I think now more than ever, along with all my Generation X brothers and sisters, my own mortality is really starting to hit me. Time waits for no man, and we are all vulnerable. I aim to be a good person, a good father, to forgive and forget, and to not hold grudges. Life is short; I treat people the way they want to be treated, and I’m grateful for what I have without dwelling on the things I don’t. I was never blessed with anything special or God-given, so I always simply competed against myself. Sure, many were better and achieved far greater things than I have or did in every chapter of my life’s journey, but that’s OK. If I know I did the very best I could no matter what the circumstances, then that’s all that ever mattered to me, as right out of the starting gate in life, I wasn’t really supposed to achieve anything super spectacular. If you’re reading this and we have ever crossed paths along life’s journey with positive memories, I thank you. As time marches on, many things fade, but memories last forever.” Happy Memorial Day (2024) & God Bless, – John “Stoneface” Quinlan *Taken from: https://www.instagram.com/therealjohnjquinlan/
“It has been many years since I’ve been back to this exact location. The stone wall along Nahant by the ocean. I have passed it here and there, but this week I finally decided to stop and take a few minutes to reflect on my life since the last photo was taken 27 years ago in this very spot. The young man on the left has his entire life in front of him. Not sure what will happen as he prepares for some fitness related competition in his near distant future. The man on the right, at 49 years old, says to himself; should I have done things differently? Could I have been a better person? Could I have been more successful? I’ve had many failures. Maybe I would not have had as many if I took a different direction in life. So many questions I asked myself. My life’s book is far from being over but at that moment being there gave me peace and closure that the past is in the past and all we can do is move forward regardless of our previous mistakes, failures, things we should have done differently or could have done better. I turn 50 years old this coming October. Let’s see what the next 50 years have in store for me. No matter what happens, I think for me, being at peace and being a good person are my top priorities at this stage of my life. God bless the masses and believe me there are too many of you out there to name individually who have enriched my life thus far and from my heart I truly thank you all for that.” ❤️ – John “Stoneface” Quinlan *Taken from: https://www.instagram.com/therealjohnjquinlan/
“Giving back to those who are less fortunate shows great character and is the right thing to do.” Thank you, Cynthia Bailey, for this quote. I couldn’t agree more. Let’s Get It! – Stoneface, 10/2023 *Taken from: https://www.instagram.com/therealjohnjquinlan/
