manofleisure sorry I have not been online lately - been dealing with some troubling issues! - Yesterday add/view comments (0)

I've learned that no matter how good a friend is,
they're going to hurt you every once in a while
and you must forgive them for that.
I've learned that it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others.
Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.
I've learned that no matter how bad your heart is broken,
the world doesn't stop for your grief.
I've learned that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are,
but we are responsible for who we become.
I've learned that just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other.
And just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do.

I've learned that sometimes you have to put the individual
ahead of their actions.
I've learned that two people can look at the exact same thing
and see something totally different.
I've learned that no matter the consequences,
those who are honest with themselves go farther in life.
I've learned that your life can be changed in a matter of hours
by people who don't even know you.
I've learned that even when you think you have no more to give,
when a friend cries out to you,
you will find the strength to help.

Exerpted from "I've learned" by Omer B Washington

Who am I?

I am definately a man standing "in the arena of life", and not merely a critic. I have known as much victory as I have defeat in my life - I believe this has taught me lessons that might elude more timid souls. I am a person who delights in having many friends...I tend to surround myself with people who are both intelligent and have a passion for life - no matter what hand they've been dealt.

What are my Interests?

A good book – I really enjoy a good mystery novel, but I am also into thrillers or modern fiction books as well. I also like movies – especially a movie that ends with a twist! I like sports, and enjoy being outside almost as much as I like chillin out indoors. When relaxing, I listen to Jazz, or R&B - I like listening to Hip-Hop music from the late 80s and early 90s...rap seemed to be so much "happier" - and not all about bling!

Anything else?

Well....I would not mind meeting a woman who knows who she is and where she wants to go in life. She should have her priorities straight...I'm not so much concerned with appearances as I am with chemistry. "Runway models" aren't my goal, but chemistry is essential!

Favorite Quotes?

I like to read, and feel that knowledge of what has happened before can often help a person clearly understand current events. As much as I enjoy reading, I also like to collect famous quotations. These are from Teddy Roosevelt, one of my favorite American Presidents:

"...the man who really counts in the world is the doer, not the mere critic-the man who actually does the work, even if roughly and imperfectly, not the man who only talks or writes about how it ought to be done." (1891)

"...It is the doer of deeds who actually counts in the battle for life, and not the man who looks on and says how the fight ought to be fought, without himself sharing the stress and the danger." (1894)

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat." (1910)