More Questions?

“Life is filled with unanswered questions, but it is the courage to seek those answers that continues to give meaning to life. You can spend your life wallowing in despair, wondering why you were the one who was led towards the road strewn with pain, or you can be grateful that you are strong enough to survive it.”

-- J.D. Stroube, author

Are we getting close to the limit of discovering new things? 

Not by a long shot. Have you seen what the universe looks like? Oh my God! We are on the cusp of the cusp, of the cusp, of new discoveries! I remember when scientists said archeology had discovered all there was to discover, Really? 

What are your thoughts on cyberbullying? How do you think we can prevent it?

Turn off the computer and go find real friends.

What will you do if you're asked to avoid doing everything you like as a hobby (like sketching, gaming, and everything else) and focus on doing what is expected from you by everyone else?

I will stop having fun, and that is unacceptable. One must first focus on being happy always. If you can’t take care of yourself, first, you need to find another job or another way of accomplishing that. If people aren’t paying you for your services they have no right to “expect” anything from you that you aren’t willing to give.

How do you measure success in life?

Success in life is measured by your happiness; how happy you are, always. I feel very successful each and every day. I constantly strive to be happy always. You must be able to wake up and that God for the gift of another glorious day in paradise and for another chance to excel in this life.

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts."

-- Winston Churchill 

Why do most people fail?

They give up or stop trying. Perhaps they’ve made the common mistake of taking on more than they’re capable of. Having said this, failure should not be looked upon as a negative, unless you have learned nothing from it. Failure is the best way for us to learn lessons. Fail and then find out why you failed. Learn from your mistakes and strive to do better next time. In this way failure is a positive thing, a way we learn more and move ever forward.

Do you need to know more to make a good decision?

If you know nothing, any decision is a gamble. The more you know concerning what you’re deciding on, the better the chance of a good decision and a good outcome.

What’s a difference between expectations and standards?

The standard is the expectation. Standards are the rules for behavior and business people are expected to maintain by people or companies they are with. The expectation is that you will at least meet, if not exceed, the standards expected of you. Setting standards is a way of ensuring a set level of quality in all things.

"The only true measure of success is the ratio between what we might have done and what we might have been on the one hand, and the thing we have made and the things we have made of ourselves on the other."

-- H. G. Wells

Why does the time go by the fastest on the last day of a deadline?

Poor planning? We had deadlines in the intelligence field constantly, and we always scheduled quality control time into the mix. If you’re stressed on the last day, there was a poor use of scheduling on the part of supervisors, managers, or both. This is how mistakes are made. Our only job on the last day was to present the product, start the grill, put up the volleyball net, and ice down the beer. There was plenty of time on the last day, the deadline, to be happy... always.

When is it ever a good time to go with the flow?

When you’re biding your time for action. Sometimes it is the wrong time to take action. The statement, action, or the outcome, might "fall short" of expectations. Take a breath, go with the flow, and make certain your “ducks are lined up” for when a more approrpiate time does present itself. Chances are the outcome will be better.

What laws must be changed to make our lives better?

Changing existing laws won’t do any good if we aren’t applying the existing laws. The United States has become all about ignoring the “rule of law,” and Congress has been the worst offender. Congress would rather ignore the rule of law than change it.  In this way Congress can fall back on that law when it suits them.  This is not honestly applying the rule of law.  When it comes to the law, in this country, it isn’t what you know, or can prove, that is actionable, it’s what you think you know or can invent, and sometimes it is even about who you know that makes a difference. This is not the “rule of law.” If the leadership of a city, state, or country ignores the laws that are in place, what chance do new laws have of being paid attention to and being utilized properly? Laws are a joke unless we’re willing to live by the laws, applying the laws evenly and appropriately.

“Two things form the bedrock of any open society — freedom of expression and rule of law. If you don’t have those things, you don’t have a free country."

-- Salman Rushdie 

How do you keep from getting worse at things over time?

Practice, practice, practice! Doing is the best way to stay on top of your game. Or, only focus on those things you do well. At 66 years of age, I can’t do much of the physical work I use to enjoy. It’s harder to bend down, work at floor level, or get into a cabinet for maintenance. I also find myself taking more breaks. Luckily, my mind is still pretty sharp. For many, however, this also starts to go south to some degree. Until any of this happens, though, refer to my opening comment: Practice, practice, practice!

Why do ultra-successful people continue to compete for even more success and fame?

The challenge of succeeding becomes addictive, for some people. My aunt was this way, god rest her soul. She went from being the daughter of a Mississippi dirt farmer, worked her way through medical school, and two other degree programs, all in a “man’s world,” to finally create a very successful company recognized by the worldwide medical community. How? She enjoyed what she did. She was addicted to success, but it was the success of being an advocate for subjects volunteering for pharmaceutical drug studies, and protecting the vulnerable populations who might be taken advantage of. Easy to understand how this can be addictive.

Statistically, how do you estimate your remaining life?

Statistically, in what respect? I plan to remain happy always, because the alternative simply sucks. Statistically? At 66 years of age, I’d say my odds are pretty good to die a very happy old fart.  I wake up every morning and thank God for the gift of another day in paradise.  Not waking up might be problematic, but my life, so far, has been pretty good, so I'm not really concerned.  It is what it is until it isn't, and then it is what it is... again.

“When you can’t run and deliver like you used to, make sure your letters still bleed with imagery under the stampede of your wild thoughts and the untamed nature of your signature energy.”

-- Curtis Tyrone Jones

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.