More Questions & Answers

“To seek truth requires one to ask the right questions. Those void of truth never ask about anything because their ego and arrogance prevent them from doing so. Therefore, they will always remain ignorant. Those on the right path to Truth are extremely heart-driven and childlike in their quest, always asking questions, always wanting to understand and know everything — and are not afraid to admit they don't know something. However, every truth seeker does need to breakdown their ego first to see Truth. If the mind is in the way, the heart won't see anything.”

-- Suzy Kassem, writer, poet, philosopher

What is the simple technique to overcome insecure feelings and insecure behaviors when making decisions in day-to-day life?

Understand that failure is the best teacher. It is the way we really learn the lessons we were put here to learn. Through failure, we learn to be careful, to research, and to plan our actions and choices carefully for better outcomes. Choices and decisions are what life is all about. We must learn to lose with grace and understanding, be happy to win with the same attitudes, and mentor others to do the same. More than this, however, we need to learn to keep all drama from our lives. Be happy always!

What is your life advice for someone who thinks they already know what they want to do?

You’ll never stop thinking until you do it. You have to take the first step.

How do I completely focus on the present moment?

Wrap your mind around the human concept of time, and then understand time does not exist. Yesterday are lessons we succeeded in or failed at but, either way, we learned valuable information for this moment. Tomorrow does not exist , as the future is a figment of our imagination until it arrives… if it arrives.

So, don’t concern yourself with what has happened; what is done is done. Learn the lessons taught to you from it. Don’t concern yourself with a future that does not exist; what will be will be. Concern yourself with this moment, as it is all you really have any control over. Make good decisions and, hopefully, you will have good outcomes. Always hope for the best, but you must plan at this moment for what you hope. Stay focused on the presnt! Remember, it is what it is until it isn’t, and then it is what it is, again. Be happy always!

Do you think you can be anything you want to be?

I think you can be whatever is within your power to become. Obviously, some positions, like elected offices, require you to be chosen by others, but you can become whatever you want to be if you have the talent, education, drive, and support to get there. The only thing holding you back would be you.

What small daily action can improve everyone’s life?

I start each day thanking God for the gift of another glorious day in paradise and another chance to excel in this life. Start each day being thankful for the gift of life because the gift you get is up to you to make the most of. If you wallow in misery it is a choice you make to either remain there or to lift yourself up. Once you have made the choice to be thankful for life, to not be perpetually offended by every little thing, and to keep drama from your doorstep, you will find it so much easier to be happy always!

What's the most unbelievable thing that has ever happened in the history of mankind that makes it difficult to grasp the reality that the event occurred?

The resurrection story of Jesus Christ.

What kind of actions do you do that give you leadership?

Step up to the challenge. Choose good people for their abilities, knowledge, and attitude, not because you like them. Listen to the ideas of your team and communicate clearly. Be firm but fair in counseling and critique. Give credit where it is due and always strive to be humble. Never ask anyone to do what you would not do yourself or haven’t already done. Your people need to know you have their back, your support. Always back up your people when things go south; you are, after all, the one in charge. Admit your own mistakes and shortcomings so those around you will feel free to admit theirs, as well. 

How do you react to little things that really matter?

I think the first thing we have to do is define those little things that really matter, and those may be different for each of us. For me, selfless acts of kindness, charity, politeness, and the like, make me smile. These acts are evidence to me that the League of the Perpetually Offended is well offset by good people who rise above pettiness with respect and understanding to address issues better solved together with constructive conversation, ideas, and balance.

“Don't ask questions that you don't want the answer to.”

-- John Henry Reese  (1910-1981), auth

How can you differentiate between that you must keep going and not give up to succeed or it's not working for you, you need to change the path to succeed in something different?

This is simple - when I stop having fun. If I’m not enjoying the challenge anymore, why continue along the path, unless it is teaching me something valuable or assisting someone else to succeed? If it isn’t working for me, it becomes pretty obvious to me. My path has had many forks in it, and each one has new lessons. I may revisit something that wasn’t working for me if I get new skills that allow me to enjoy succeeding in it.

If thoughts can be dictated by emotions, are conscience and free will from outside of the mind?

I think conscience and free will are thoughts dictated by emotions, and emotions are dictated by external stimuli or the lack of it. If this is true, then nothing but stimuli are from outside the mind, unless it is imagined. I’m not sure what can be imagined that doesn’t have its roots in something outside the mind.

Can you identify and describe the exact moment or decision that drastically changed your life course forever? Would you go back and change it if you could?

My ugly divorce from a twenty-year marriage. It changed my “life course” for the better. I have stayed out of debt and recovered financially, retired from a second career, and met women who taught me to forgive and love again. Even if I could, I wouldn’t change anything except to ensure the children were better protected financially. What happened isn’t for me, entirely, to change. It was a marriage of unrequited love. You have to know how to love, to forgive, and to not be offended at every little thing, or there is no chance of changing anything, including your own life.

I (18 male) hate being gay. I feel like I‘ll never be accepted and it makes me extremely depressed. What can I do?

Make mad, passionate, love to a beautiful woman. Then, the rest is history, if you want it to be. Life is all about the choices we embrace.

You’ve been assigned the task of making 2021 a worse year than 2020. How do you accomplish this without destroying the planet?

The Obama presidency. Of course, there will be racist, liberal, dissenters who feel the party of the KKK and Jim Crow deserve another chance. How much sense doe it make to support the party that made the noose a necessity, instead of the party who died to free slaves?  How about going with the only party that has actually fought for emancipation and equal rights? You know, the non-plantation owners; the party of Lincoln. Slavery never ended… the color of the master changed. Wake up, America!

What does taking responsibility for the consequences of your own actions look like?

It looks like honesty. It evidences that you are big enough to take responsibility for what you cause and not blame others. This is also the sign of a great manager. Life is about making choices, and if you feel confident enough to make a choice, you better be prepared for if the choice goes wonky on you. You will garner no respect by shifting blame or not accepting responsibility for your own actions.

Happiness is about making the right choices and keeping drama from your life. If you make the wrong choice, you’ve invited half the drama in. If you deny your responsibility, you invite the other half in. Better to admit your error, mitigate the effect by trying to fix it, or asking for help, learn from it, and get that drama behind you so you can focus on being happy always.

“The secrets of the universe aren't really secrets. It's just that humanity is too subjugated by their blissful ignorance to ask the right questions. When you have all of the answers, but are unable to ask any questions to them, then all you have are secrets.”

-- Lionel Suggs, 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 the 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.