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.