All Things Considered

"Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated."

-- Confucius (551 BC-479 BC), philosopher, politician

All things considered, life could be worse. Life can always be worse, but it can also be better. It all depends on you. Each morning, when you wake, you have a decision to make about how you approach the moment. You can be in a foul mood or you can make a conscious decision "to make the most of the present time and give little thought to the future." Carpe diem! Seize the day! Or, you can wallow in whatever pit of despair you've crawled into, in which case you, once again, accomplish little in your life, especially happiness. All things considered, it could be worse. You could be dead.

An old adage states that only two things are certain in this life: Death and taxes. The rest is up to us to discover. Many of us rummage around in the barrel for a perfect apple, and we settle for one that's already started to rot. Others of us toss that one to the side and reach back in to find another. We keep reaching back in until we find the one we want. Life is all about trials and tribulation. This is how we learn the lessons necessary to move forward on our personal path of existence.

"When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one that has opened for us."

-- Alexander Graham Bell (1847-1922), inventor, scientist, engineer

Existence is defined as "the ability of an entity to interact with physical or mental reality. In philosophy, it refers to the ontological property of being." We have to make a decision to interact with our reality and share our existence with those around us. This "sharing" is a choice we make, as is accepting the existence of others who wish to share their existence with us. People, by in large, are willing to share their drama but no so willing to hear the drama of others, or so they say. As for me, I don't like to share drama unless I can make into some humorous anecdote which others might identify with. Personally, I think many of us harbor way too much drama in our lives. It's a decision we make.

"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life."

-- Steve Jobs (1955-2011), founder Apple Inc., businessman

I dislike drama. I go out of my way not to watch "soap operas" on television. Why would a person intentionally want to add some fictional drama onto the drama they already have to deal with? A glutton for punishment is the definition of a masochist. A little pain, a little pleasure. Unless someone can make their drama humorous or interesting, I don't need it for anything other than a lesson to pay forward, to teach someone what not to do in life. What not to do is the easiest thing to understand.

"Be not afraid of life. Believe that life is worth living, and your belief will help create the fact."

-- Henry James (1843-1916), author

If at all possible, don't do anything that doesn't make you happy. Now, there are things we have to do in life, like work. You should have a job which makes you happy. Oh, it will have its ups and downs, but that's what life is all about. These are the little lessons which we learn as we adjust our happiness factor, so start adjusting! I think the best way to start is to rid yourself of all unnecessary drama. If it isn't necessary for your life and doesn't make you happy, get rid of it. Job, relationships, debt, vices, if it is necessary, get rid of it or get to work making it better until it makes you happy. 

There is always going to be the crap of life which we have to deal with. That's life! Learn to deal with it and move on. If you dwell on crap too long, well, they say you are what you eat. Life is full of choices you make, and your choices, your decisions, came with consequences you have to deal with. Bad choices lead to bad consequences and bad consequences are complications which don't fuel our happiness. 

Complications are usually those tidbits of crap we willingly put on our plate, consciously or subconsciously, for one reason or another. Refuse to eat crap, and if you have to eat crap, try to make it palatable; you will fail, but you might find it fun to try. It is much easier to keep life simple and, therefore, enjoyable.

All things considered, Life could be worse. Just saying.

"Accept responsibility for your life. Know that it is you who will get you where you want to go, no one else."

-- Les Brown, politician, motivational speaker, author

Editor's Note

(Re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card)

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider an alternate viewpoint. 

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion, in an arena of mutual respect, concerning those opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we learn from the experience, and what we do afterward.

Pastor Tony spent 22 years with United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. He spent 17 years, following his service career, working with the premier, world renowned, Institutional Review Board helping to protect the rights of human subjects involved in pharmaceutical research. Ordained 1n 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As the weapon for his war on intolerance he chose the pen, and wages his "battle" in the guise of the Congregation's official online blog, The Path, of which he is both author and editor. "The Path" offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He currently resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteers as lead Chaplain and Chaplain Program Liaison, at the regional medical center.