A Questionable Oracle

“You only feel powerless because your fear has given your power to the object of your fear. Once you realize this, you can claim it back.”

-- Kamand Kojouri, author

How do I create a life I love?

Learn to be happy, always! If you don’t know how to be happy, how will you possibly know you’re in a life you love? Creating a life around your happiness is so much easier than creating happiness around a life you’re not sure of. If life goes south, your happiness suffers. But, if you’ve learned to be happy always and the life you’re building falters, you can stop, fix it, and move on knowing you will be happy in your efforts. And, if you read this and don’t agree, think about what the alternative is. Better to be happy always and build a life you love.

How can you be defined by your future and not by the past?

This is possible by your reaction to a future requirement. If a man’s wife is trapped in a burning building the decision he makes in the next moments will be telling. If he jumps into the building, he is a hero if he brings her out or not, and if he refuses to brave the flames to rescue her, this will define him as a coward for not even making an attempt.

Would you rather save an entire country or save your whole family, and why?

Damned if you do, and damned if you don’t. As a military man, it is my responsibility to save the entire country in order to save the citizens. Hopefully, family and country will both be okay. If we lose the country we lose our family, if we save just our family, we lose the country. It is a tough choice, but military members have to make it constantly. It is what we do.

“I guess that’s just part of loving people: You have to give things up. Sometimes you even have to give them up.”

-- Lauren Oliver, author

Do you agree that this is true?

I cannot agree or disagree with this statement.  But, I would like to know what's in your head to make you ask this.

Why do I feel like I wasted my life but I am only 20?

So, what have you wasted, about four years? You won’t even have a clue until you’re about 24, and even then you’ll probably be wrong because you haven’t lived enough life to be right. Let’s revisit this when you turn 65 and been around the block so many times you’re dizzy.

Why, as we get older, does our free time fill up with work until we run out of our spare time?

If it does, you’ve learned nothing about time management. As we get older and more experienced with life and work we should be finding easier and more efficient ways to do things. Life is all about choices and decisions. If we agree to take on more than we can handle, we deserve to have no spare time. We are in charge of our lives and our happiness.

“Many who are self-taught far excel the doctors, masters, and bachelors of the most renowned universities.”

-- Ludwig von Mises (1881-1973), economist, historian, sociologist 

What’s something that isn’t being produced/made anymore that you want back?

Rack stereo systems pushing a butt-load of power. I think the sound was so much better than what we have coming out of the mini-systems today. Maybe it was due to all the buttons, knobs, and levers we had physical control over. Now I have 5 choices of automatic equalizer settings, none of which make the sound right for the music being played. 

How do you keep a good relationship while finding your way in life?

Honesty, love, and attention. Be a good friend and a partner. If you demand nothing of your friends, demand nothing of your love. It is what it is until it isn’t. Enjoy your time with it while it is.

Is it possible for actors to live without having side businesses?

Yes, but what happens when they fall out of favor? Same for sports figures. If they become so injured they can’t ever play again, they better hope they’ve bought into pizza parlors and didn’t blow all their money on hot cars and boats.

“I’ve seen so many people in this business that made a fortune. They get old and broke and can’t make any money. I tell you something . . . no one’s going to play a benefit for Jimmy Dean.”

-- Jimmy Dean (1928-2010), singer, actor, businessman

When do you realize that your passion won't amount to a solid career?

When you realize you can’t make your financial ends meet. This is one reason why artists starve. Sometimes your passion is meant to be an enjoyable pastime, not a career. If your pastime turns into a moneymaker, hey, lucky you, now you might just have a career. One problem you face though, if your passion is fun and then you have to do it as work, 9–5, will it still be fun in a year or two?

What is the difference between a new and an old thing? What differentiates them besides time itself?

But, everything has to do with time. Wear and tear, technology, design, sound, playability, durability, weight, size, all have to do with time and what we learned through time to make it better, or worse as the case might be.

What lists are more important than a bucket list?

Your friends and family. It isn’t what or who you’ve done that's important, it’s who remembers you fondly, regardless. Your greatness, your blessing, can be told by the number of people at your funeral.

“Create a life you don’t need a vacation from.”

-- Unknown

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.

I'm Thinking...

"This isn't immoral. Merely illegal, and fun."

-- Haley Sorlie

How do you belong and find your path?

If you find it hard to belong and, at the same time, find your path, perhaps you need to find a better group with which to belong. I felt like I didn’t belong for years and, as it turned out, this was part of my path. I learned to appreciate the “me” time and, in doing so, also learned to cherish good friends. Friends don’t always have to agree, but they do have a responsibility to accept each other for who they are.

Life is all about making choices and decisions. You can belong, find your path, or do both. It is your choice.  For the person who can truly do both, the people they are with support the journey they are on, though their support isn’t really necessary to the journey.

Each of us has a path, whether we acknowledge it or not. No one can walk our personal path but each of us. It is our path. You can walk with us for a while, as long as our paths are joined, until one path takes a fork. We will see each other again, if not on the path then at the destination. Why? Because whether we realize it, or not, we always belong. 

How do I live under a rock and be oblivious to what goes on?

Martin Niemöller, a German Lutheran pastor, was arrested by the Nazis in 1937 and confined in Sachsenhausen and Dachau before his release by the Allies in 1945. Later, in a “confession” speech, he stated the following:

"First they came for the Communists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Communist

Then they came for the Socialists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Socialist

Then they came for the trade unionists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a trade unionist

Then they came for the Jews
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Jew 

Then they came for me
And there was no one left
To speak out for me"

My answer to your question is to throw it back at you: How can you possibly think of living under a rock, oblivious to what goes on around you? Martin Niemöller stands as an example of what happens to those who think they can.

What time is it where you live when you get up in the morning? What are the more important things you do?

I wake up between 3:30 and 5:00 in the morning. The most important thing is already done - I woke up. While I make coffee I do the second most important thing, I give thanks to God for the gift of another glorious day in paradise and yet another chance to excel in this life. Then, I drink my coffee and plan my day. Nothing is more important than waking up, thanking God, and being productive. This is the best way I can think of to be happy always.

“Some days are better than others, but every day can be the best day of your life by giving thanks.”

-- Richie Norton , author, speaker, businessman

What is the thing that is almost right for others but not for you?

A difficult question to answer. Author M.T. Panchal wrote, “Everything seems immoral until the person commits it.” What we feel is not right for us might be because we haven’t experienced it.

I once thought there is almost nothing I wouldn’t try, barring things like jumping out of perfectly good aircraft and free-climbing. There is still much out there I haven’t even considered. For right now, let’s leave it at any voluntary activity where I put my life is at risk with no hope of survival.

What is the most self-deprecating thing you have done?

I have to laugh at this question. I do so many self-deprecating things, it is hard to pin one down as the “most.” Everyone has their moments, and if they say they don’t they’re lying and have been very careful not to admit to it or let anybody see them do it. These events are nothing more but humorous anecdotes we use to pass time with friends. I have a butt-load of them, and I love to laugh.

Why is it pointless to pursue greatness after age 20?

Who fed you that line of crap? Most authors don’t even get started until well after 20, nor do politicians. Stop listening to people who tell you things you don’t want to hear and just live your life. I find it a lot easier to be happy always this way.

“Always dream and shoot higher than you know you can do. Don’t bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself.”

-- William Faulkner (1897-1962), author, Nobel Prize laureate

What makes you, you, and what would you say about yourself to an interested employer to recommend yourself?

I spent 23 years in military intelligence, and 17 years with an Institutional Review Board. I have “staying power,” loyalty, and ethics. The one thing you can be certain of is that I will always tell you the way it is and I’ll never blow smoke up your ass by telling you what I think you want to hear.

How can I get fulfillment in my job? I always work the hardest I can, do extra work even if not asked, get complimented by my boss, and yet feel like I didn't do enough and my work has no impact.

If your boss appreciates your work, go to your boss and explain this. Most employers don’t like to lose good workers. It might be that they have no idea you’re not being challenged. There may be another position where you will feel more fulfilled and your work will have some impact. If not, there are many other places to work in the world.

Is it true that the ultimate object of a person's desire is always pleasure? 

It would certainly be sad if it were not. Donatien Alphonse François, Marquis de Sade would be the first to find a tidbit of pleasure in a little pain. To have a desire for something you don’t feel as pleasurable would be a waste of one’s effort and might be the reason for a psychiatric evaluation. Then again, if arson or murder is the object of your desire, this might also be a reason for evaluation.

“...when pain is over, the remembrance of it often becomes a pleasure.”

-- Jane Austen (1775-1817), author, "Persuasion"

What are non-materials which are helpful in production and make life comfortable?

Silence! I have never been able to produce well with noise around me. I need silence to concentrate and focus, especially in the intelligence analysis environment. My son, on the other hand, could listen to rock and roll while doing homework and do very well.

How important is timing in your life?

Only in the sense that I hate to be late. If I tell someone I will be there at a certain time, I will be there. It’s a matter of being reliable. If I know you are reliable and will be on time, I will plan my day around you, if not, and you don’t call to tell me you’re late, I may not be there when you arrive. Keep your word.

In which case is hypocrisy a good thing?

It depends on your point of view. I will tell you that hypocrisy is wrong but, then, I am one of those people another commented about, earlier - I’m a "self-proclaimed" hypocrite.

Do as I say, not as I do. There are things in this world I know for a fact are not quite “kosher” and, yet, I find pleasure in my indulgence. I will pay for this down the road, I fear, as I will certainly do a short stint in hell. And there’s the rub: I will pay the price. 

Is hypocrisy a good thing? No. Austin is right that it is a necessary part of the world we live in, and that is a sad reflection on our world. That we accept it doesn’t make hypocrisy right, we simply overlook the wrongness of it. The biggest hypocrites can be those who bemoan hypocrisy the loudest, the “holier than thou” among us. I find these folks, most often, in the League of the Perpetually Offended or arguing the “social benefits” of unnecessary late-term abortion. Just saying.

“We are all hypocrites. We cannot see ourselves or judge ourselves the way we see and judge others.”

-- José Emilio Pacheco (1939-2014), author,essayist, poet

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. 

Arrgg! More Questions!

“Nothing is as it seems, but something is everything it is made out to be.”

-- Carroll Bryant, author, blogger, songwriter

How is this so, “The art of life is more like wrestling than dancing.”?

Only if you “wrestle” with it. Life is all about choices and decisions we must make, for balance in our lives. If you’re wrestling, you’re fighting what is, if you’re dancing, you discovered the secret of being happy always. Don’t fight life. It is what it is. Embrace it.
It is what it is until it isn’t. Approach life like a game of chess. You want to play. You want to test your skills. This is a dance against your opponent. There is no sweat, no strain. No whistle at a perceived foul.

You stated the truth, the answer, in your own question when you stated, “the art of life.” Art is more like a dance, and some might say wrestling is like a dance, but only if you dance while you wrestle. Only if you perceive wrestling as an art form. Dance is about enjoyment, and if you enjoy engaging in wrestling it can be like a dance, like art.

Don’t fight life, learn to dance with it. Be happy always.

If you fall in love with 2 people at the same time, how do you know who to choose?

It isn’t complicated. Your heart will tell you which path to follow. It isn’t so much that you’ve chosen them, as much as it is they have chosen you. When two hearts meet… it is magic. You will know, and there will be little question in your mind.

How does the act of giving and the spirit of gratitude open so many doors of personal good fortune?

I have been told the answer is “Good karma, period.” But this has to do with the fact your question moved from eight lines down on the page to the top of the list. I’ve never seen this site make that happen before. I’ve been advised this means… I must answer you. I am the one to agree. We are nothing but superstitious when it comes to karma.

“Does the act of giving and the spirit of gratitude open so many doors of personal good fortune” or is selflessness is its own reward? An easy answer for the humble among us. But, when doors begin to open and good fortune follows, will you still be humble? Will you still be real in your display of giving and gratitude? Will you continue to wear the mantle of humility?

This is a tough task God will put before you. How you embrace it will speak volumes about who you are and, if you do embrace the challenge, you might just learn why you are, as well.

“Above all the grace and the gifts that Christ gives to his beloved is that of overcoming self.”

-- St. Francis of Assisi (c. 1181-1226), Catholic philosopheer, mystic, preacher

How do people live a normal life knowing the universe means absolutely nothing?

People don’t even know why they are. People can’t answer the simple question of why they are and, yet, they know the universe means absolutely nothing. I had no idea we were in the presence of such intellect that can’t answer a simple question about themselves but have no problem unlocking the secret of the universe. How could they possibly live a normal life in this quandary? My head wants to explode.

The only “nothing” that is certain is what they know, and, like Socrates, I’m not sure they really know that. I think people would be better served to live a full life and have children. Then, one day, look into their child’s eyes, see the look of wonder, and ask themselves, again, if they know “the universe means absolutely nothing” to them.

I think their universal view might change.

How do I gain perspective and a deeper understanding of the world despite being stuck at home?

Savannah, you’re a sophomore in high school, you’re supposed to be perpetually confused. It is, after all, what sophomores do. If you’re stuck at home you are probably going to have to learn a new skill set - self-education. It’s an idea us old folks would exercise when we were young. One of the main tools for this skill set is reading. I know, I know, reading is going to require some effort, but I can guarantee you will "gain perspective and a deeper understanding of the world despite being stuck at home." And, you can do it on a laptop and never even leave the comfort of that home.

(Savannah immediately "upvoted" this, which just tickled me.)

What do you think it means to “reach your full potential?”

There is a difference between “realizing” your full potential and “reaching” it, and changing the question doesn’t make either of them any more accurate so I’m not sure why the site feels the need to restate questions wrong.

Realizing your full potential is supposed to mean that you are fully aware of who and what you can be in life or in a particular job, and reaching it means just that, you have attained what you considered to be your full potential.

But, as I said, neither of these is really an accurate statement. You can’t realize what your full potential is until you reach it, and if you have the wherewithal to reach it you will find there is so much more you can do, so much more potential for you to realize. You only reach your full potential when you stop trying to be more, and you won’t know when that is until you arrive.

“Believe in your infinite potential. Your only limitations are those you set upon yourself.”

-- Roy T. Bennett , inspirational author

What are your views in the sentence, "the best things in life are free"?

The best things in life are free. Your freedom to exist, to be happy always, your freedom to think, to choose, your freedom to love, to see beauty where there is none, and your freedom to rise above. All of these are the best things in life, and all come at no cost. I think the most important of these, other than existence, is the freedom to be happy always.

Why is it so much harder to do something when you have the choice not to?

This makes no sense. You always have a choice to do or not to. Does this mean everything is harder to do? Not at all. The premise of this question is in question. 

When trying to do good deeds, what can you expect?

Why would you be expecting anything? Doing a “good deed” is supposed to be a selfless act of kindness. You shouldn’t be expecting anything, not even a thank you, for doing what your conscience says you should do. To expect something for the deed makes it a selfish act and taints the deed accordingly. But, more importantly, it taints you as a person, and those around you will see that. Better to learn to be selfless in all things, and be happy always.

“Almost every sinful action ever committed can be traced back to a selfish motive. It is a trait we hate in other people but justify in ourselves. ”

-- Stephen Kendrick, pastor, author, film-writer & producer

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.

Answers and Opinions

“When a man gives his opinion, he's a man. When a woman gives her opinion, she's a bitch.”

-- Bette Davis (1908-1989), actress

If you can only pick one of these for life, what would you choose? Would you rather be understood or understand? And why?

Whether I’m understood or not is not my problem but, rather, the problem of those wishing to understand. In this reasoning, therefore, my problem is ensuring I understand those wishing to be understood.

Why does time change everything and anything so much?

That was the intent. Time really doesn’t exist. Time is a human construct designed to give structure to our plane of existence. We put a lot of stock in time, to the point of stress. We feel we need time, we need to make time, and there is never enough time. We declare deadlines for certain times and praise winners who accomplish tasks faster than other’s times.

I have been a party to most of this as it is an accepted part of civilization. However, I have also discovered that we rely too much on time. I have found it is better to pay much more attention to being happy always. If you’re happy and good at what you do, this concept of time will take care of itself.

How can I pursue excellence, and what makes it different from perfection?

First, you can pursue excellence by constantly trying to be better at what you do. Second, you must understand that nothing we do is perfect, it will always be improved upon at some point, so to pursue an unattainable goal, like perfection, is of less importance than pursuing excellence. 

“Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.”

-- Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (1900-1944), writer, poet, aristocrat, aviator

Does your age define your wisdom?

Generally, people become wiser as they get older. There are a lot of people this is not true for, however, people in Congress would fit this category. Wisdom is about making the right choices and decisions, and about knowing when not to. It is about morality and ethics.

You can be very young and have great wisdom beyond your age; you can be very old and be dense as a brick. Older age does not necessarily define our wisdom but old age evidences a long life in which we should have learned it.

After this comment was "upvoted" by the person who asked the question, the following comments from readers came my way:

Commenter #1: The congress is wise they are just corrupt.

My Reply: Corruption is not wisdom.

Commenter #1: Sure it is its corrupt wisdom and with democrats its the foundation of their party. Wisdom isnt good or bad it's learning from experience.

Commenter #2: Indeed. Depending on the person, one's own advantages and morals can be weighted differently. If experience is added, the dominant strategy for a person can be to neglect morality - if it was present at all.

My Reply: By definition, wisdom must have the quality of “good judgment” or it is not wisdom. Therefore, the wisdom that is corrupt is no longer wisdom, it is an unsound thought, or action, based on poor judgment.

“All opinions are not equal. Some are a very great deal more robust, sophisticated and well supported in logic and argument than others.”

-- Douglas Adams, author, humorist

If you had to create an army out of people with one certain non-combat profession, which profession would you choose, and how would you take over the world?

Psychology. If you control the minds of the people you control the world.

What is the most unbelievable fact?

Women find me handsome and interesting. I just don’t see it. 

Is there an idea that has changed your whole view of this world and your mindset?

My answer is not that difficult to explain, yet it seems difficult for most people to grasp. Be happy always!

I have spent my life around drama, my own, and that of others. I finally fell back on what I learned in psychology, about taking care of yourself, first. I got shed of all the unnecessary drama in my life, letting in only that which I can have a positive influence over. I learned to forgive myself for trespasses and to forgive those who trespass. The result of all this was the idea to be happy always.

Each and every day I wake up and strive to keep this mindset alive. I try to mentor others to find the same happiness in their own lives. The world is a receptacle for too much human drama driven by greed, ego, and control. Look around you and see how many centers for happiness exist. Not many, and certainly not enough.

We seem to live for drama, but I have a better idea: Get shed of all the drama in your life and learn to be happy always. It is what it is until it isn’t, and then it is what it is.

Make it happy.

“Few people are capable of expressing with equanimity opinions which differ from the prejudices of their social environment. Most people are incapable of forming such opinions."

-- Albert Einstein (1879-1955), theoretical physicist

Is raising a child moral?

This is not the original question, and it is not the original spirit of the question, either. The question was, “Is having children moral? Why or why not?” This differs from asking if raising a child is moral. I’ll address the ill-advised switch, first. Raising a child, whether yours by birth, adoption, etc., is only moral if the child is raised with good morals and ethics.

As to the original question, if your responsibility is raising a child then it should be considered a moral responsibility. If it is anything else, the child is being mentally abused. Children are our gift from God and should be raised with good morals and ethics. I loathe quoting the Bible but, according to scripture, Psalm 127:3 states, “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.” Children are the responsibility of all men and women of good character, to ensure they receive a proper moral and ethical upbringing so, in the future, they reflect well on us and, more importantly, on God. 

Do you accept people’s choices to complain?

If it is an occasional choice made over something important, then I accept it. Voice your complaint and then take swift action to correct the issue. If you don’t bring it up to someone that can correct it, if it is something over which you have little or no control, then shut up about it. Nobody wants to listen to constant complaints. It becomes old, then it becomes immature, then it becomes boring and nobody cares anymore.

For instance, the U.S. Congress has spent four long years complaining instead of doing the job they were sent to Washington to do. It has become old, immature, boring, and nobody really cares anymore. They’ve blown millions of our tax dollars whining about election results. Now major cities are burning down around us. How about we try doing the country’s business and put aside partisan politics for a long while? How about acting like mature lawmakers before you’re asked to leave the sandbox and go home? Whining is infectious.

Just saying.

How do we balance the important aspects of our life?

First, I separate the wheat from the chaff. What is truly important from what really isn’t. Sometimes we give much importance to nothing more than dramas that have no place in our life, to begin with. These dramas are what tend to throw life out of balance.  Second, I prioritize the important aspects and work them one at a time, beginning with the most important, or time-sensitive.

“People can tell you to keep your mouth shut, but that doesn't stop you from having your own opinion.”

-- Anne Frank (1929-1945), diarist, Holocaust victim

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.

More and More Questions

“Happiness in intelligent people is the rarest thing I know.”

-- Ernest Hemingway (1899-1961), author, journalist

What can be your biggest dream in life?

To be truly happy always. True happiness escapes most people. They think they’re happy, but they move in and out of the emotion; this is not true happiness. We need to learn how to be happy always.

What ethics best suit you?

Good ethics. What is the point of having bad ethics, unless, of course, you’re a bad person? By definition, ethics are “moral principles that govern a person's behavior or the conducting of an activity” and the “branch of knowledge that deals with moral principles.” Bad ethics are usually evidenced by a person’s selfish attitude. So, for most selfless people of good character, good ethics are a must. Of course, I'm a self-proclaimed hypocrite who would advise doing what I say, not as I do. So, don't go by me.

Does one always deserve what they get?

I suppose it depends on if you believe we are in charge of our own lives. Life is all about the choices and decisions we make. If this is taken as truth, then whether the choice is good or bad we will deserve the consequences of our choice. Since it was our choice, who else are we to blame?

“When you choose an action, you choose the consequences of that action. When you desire a consequence you had damned well better take the action that would create it.”

-- Lois McMaster Bujold, author

Is it better to be a failure as a good person than being a successful bad person?

Why would you want to be a bad person? If you find success, what did it cost you? What part of your soul did you relinquish for success? If I’m a failure as a good person, I still have my pride. I can still hold my head high because I did not sacrifice my ethics for success. Did I fail? Yes, and in failure there is learning. I must learn why good did not triumph and then try again to succeed. Then again, perhaps the path is not one I should be following and my failure was a message to look elsewhere for “righteous” success. 

How is all you really are, waiting for you to catch up?

When I went into the military, I really didn’t know if I was going to make it. I weighed in at a buck forty-five and was still trying to gain height. I was one of the smallest kids in high school. A lot of people wash out of basic training because they just don’t have what it takes. They don’t have the will to succeed, or physical ability. I didn’t know if I could measure up and become all I could be, and this was important to me because all I could be is who I really was.

All I could be was waiting for me at the end of basic training. It was waiting again for me at the end of tech school, the NCO Academy, the Senior NCO Academy, and, yet again, at my retirement after 23 years. Somewhere in all that testosterone, I became a man, developed a sense of ethics, loyalty, and honor.

In the next moment, and every moment after that, who I really am will always be waiting there for me to catch up. When I die and am reborn, who I really am will be with me again, and always.  It is what it is until it isn't, and then it is what it is... again.

If one is born into a family in an apartment w/no land to grow food, no streams to get water, no family business networks/upward opportunities; isn’t that serfdom 2.0? Since you’re almost entirely dependent on others to provide basic things for you?

Yes! Now, here is the test. How does this person pull themselves up from this well of misery to make their own opportunities and not be dependent on others? Or, they can accept their lot in life, the cards they've been dealt, go on welfare and continue to vote people into office who pay their way through life as long as they vote them into office. How about they do what no one expects? How about they work your ass off to make a better life for themselves and their family, so their children don’t find themselves voting for the same masters. It is a concept.

“Try not to become a man of success. Rather become a man of value.”

-- Albert Einstein (1879-1955), theoretical physicist

How do we live a good life without money?

Be happy always. Poor or rich, life is about the choices we make. Make the choice and learn to be happy always, regardless of wealth.

What are thoughts?  

Uh… I’ll have to think about that.  (Again, I tried hard to not be a smartass)

How will you make your tomorrow better than your past?

The past is lessons we must learn from so we can make today, this moment, better than before. The choices and decisions we make at this moment will have great bearing on the next moment. Therefore, we must always pay great attention to the moment. If there is a tomorrow, we will deal with it when, and if, it arrives, but our best decision making at this moment will, hopefully, assist in making the next moment brighter. 

“Choices made, whether bad or good, follow you forever and affect everyone in their path one way or another.”

-- J.E.B. Spredemann, 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.

And... Yet,. More?

“Learn how to see. Realize that everything connects to everything else.”

-- Leonardo DaVinci (1452-1519), polymath, artist

What is it like to have lived your entire life in your hometown with no plans to move?

Stagnation. I left my hometown with kids on the streetcorner, hanging out. I came back 15 years later, for a reunion, and the same kids, now young men and women, are on the streetcorner, hanging out. I saw the world and they did nothing. I protected my country, while they "hung out." How sad is that? I have a world view, they have the streetcorner.

What is your view on this question that without morals and ethics in one's life, life is boring?

How will a Catholic priest, who has never married, perform marriage counseling? We learn by doing. We don’t truly know anything unless we experience it. This life is never boring, but it is through this life that we develop our personal sense of ethics and morality. For some that path is straight and narrow. For others, they crave pleasure through a little pain. Both move forward, have an interest, and experience. But, for one the experience can be much more exciting, at a cost. The question is whether the cost is worth the experience, the knowledge about life, that you will glean from it?

At what age does the "you still got your whole life ahead of you" statement become invalid?

It depends on how you view the statement. Life here does end. This shell we inhabit does wear out and cease to function. Your existence, however, continues. We concern ourselves too much with the “end of life” when we should really concern ourselves with what comes after. You still got your whole existence ahead of you.

“You are not IN the universe, you ARE the universe, an intrinsic part of it. Ultimately, you are not a person, but a focal point where the universe is becoming conscious of itself. What an amazing miracle.”

-- Eckhart Tolle, author, spiritual teacher

What is the simplest way to get out of the maze?

Mark the paths you’ve already tried so you don’t repeat them.

What's something people should stop investing in?

Debt. Stop spending more than you have. The accrued interest on one’s accrued debt is often a debilitating factor in one’s life. Remove the debt and you have more money to invest in more important things, like life.

What makes a good life fall apart?

A lack of focus. Life is all about how we focus on it. Our focus concerns the choices and decisions we make for ourselves. If we lose focus our choices become confusing and we risk making poor decisions. If we make enough poor decisions our life begins to fall apart. Better to stay focused. Try focusing on being happy always!

“Enlightenment, for a wave in the ocean, is the moment the wave realizes it is water. When we realize we are not separate, but a part of the huge ocean of everything, we become enlightened. We realize this through practice, and we remain awake and aware of this through more practice.”

-- Thich Nhat Hanh, Buddhist monk

What did you do today that you wished you had a little bit more time for?

Not a thing. Whatever was this important, I will continue today. If something else prevents me from continuing it, I have enjoyed what I was able to accomplish. I learned long ago not to get too worked up over that which I have little or no control. It is what it is until it isn’t, and then it is what it is, again. Better to just be happy always.

Do you take technology breaks, and how do they benefit you?

I am a closet Luddite. I’m also a techno-boob, which probably accounts for my Luddite tendencies. I go kicking and screaming into new technology. For the most part, I use technology for communication. It is a tool to reach a vast number of people with the least effort, and a way to write that offers a vast amount of applications to make the writing easier and more efficient. But, writing is simply another means of communication.

When I go out to socialize I have a “flip” phone. I answer it when it rings. I do not pull it out of my pocket otherwise, and when I do I keep it short. I am out to socialize, not to bury my nose in a computer or a phone. I am there for face-to-face communication, to enjoy the company of those I’m with. The benefit, for me, of technology breaks is to remember there is life without it. Fresh air, companionship, nature, reading a real bound book, cooking, and so much more is missed when we do nothing but bury ourselves in technology as life passes us by.

Why do I think I'm not in my realty?

First of all, I think you meant to say “reality,” and if you didn’t, you are trespassing.

Why is it that people think this might be a computer program? I watched a program the other day where a mathematician was explaining how they were breaking the universe down into digits, like binary code, and there was this leftover code they couldn’t make sense of until a programmer looked at it and explained it was a “reset” code for the computer programs. Does the universe have a built-in reset code?

It makes one wonder why we are here. Are here in this “reality” simply to learn what we can and report it back to the mainframe when our time here is complete, so we can be reassigned to another fact-finding mission.

Maybe “God” is using us as some grand experiment. Maybe our fate isn’t written and this is God’s way of seeing how things play out in creation, but there is a reset code so the entire program doesn’t crash because of some moronic decision on the part of some “bad actor” in the program.

What you see, as maybe not being a reality, might just be a reality. What is, is until it isn’t. When you are through, here and now, what is experienced in the next moment will then be just another reality.

“Not only are we in the Universe, the Universe is in us. I don’t know of any deeper spiritual feeling than what that brings upon me.”

-- Neil deGrasse Tyson, planetary scientist, astrophysicist, cosmologist, author

Why is the world such a horrible place?

Humans.

The simple explanation is we are a selfish species, and we are greedy. We always want more and we don’t necessarily feel a sense of moral ethics when we go after it. We will subjugate and kill as a means to an end, and others will kill to protect and destroy those who would threaten, kill, and subjugate. Occasionally there is a sense of peace, but those times are becoming fewer and farther between.

Those of us who understand this, try to be the light of understanding and knowledge. It is unfortunate that selfish greed has little room for understanding or knowledge.

Why is longevity sought in a world where all is short-lived?

There is so much to experience, so much to learn. We don’t know what awaits us on the other side, after our death in this realm, so we want to milk as much as we can out of our short existence here. If we could live longer we could do so much more. 

Is there always a loser in business?

Not always, but there are always those who do better than others.

“Everything amazing about the universe is inside of you, and the two are inseparable.”

-- Carl Sagan (1934-1996), astronomer, planetary scientist, cosmologist, astrophysicist, astrobiologist, 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.