Answers Not Questioned?

“I would rather have questions that can't be answered than answers that can't be questioned.”

-- Richard Feynman (1918-1988), Theoretical physicist

Is life more about work than love?

Do you love your work? I found this to be true in every job I’ve had. I suppose I’ve been very lucky to have loved going to work every day since I didn’t consider it work in the strictest sense. I enjoyed the challenges and that people relied on me to get the job done. Over the course of the past 20 years, I have learned to be happy always. What more can you make of life, than to be happy?

Beyond your horoscope, it’s the good deeds you do in this life which will bless you. Do you agree?

I’m not sure what my horoscope has to do with my good deeds, but yes, I do agree. Doing good is a choice we must make, and that choice is not guided by the stars. If the stars say to do bad, do good instead. Your blessings are multiplied if you do these good deeds selflessly. Why you do what you do defines who you are. It will be how you are remembered. Doing good always isn’t that hard, just don’t do wrong ever.

Is 60 million dollars life-changing?

Not as much if you’re already a good person. That kind of money might change the way I live to a point, but I am a man of few needs. I’d probably be bust creating a selfless foundation to drain the dividends the investments would bring in. For the common man, this kind of money is more of a pain in the butt than a blessing. I’d enjoy it, but it wouldn’t change who I am. I’d be more concerned about how it might change the people around me.

If something is what it is, what is it?

What it is.
Is this a trick question?

“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

What is something you thought you understood perfectly and later in life found out that you were absolutely mistaken?

Happiness. I used to think I could find happiness, but it’s hard to find something you never lost. I simply didn’t understand it, so I didn’t know where to look.

Happiness is a conscious choice each of us must make in our lives. We can’t lose it, because it is our conscious choice to have it or not. One I realized this, I could stop working so hard to find it a just sit back and be happy always. Life really isn’t as difficult as we always try to make it.

How has moving from a dreamer to a doer affected your personal relationships and life perspectives?

Never stop dreaming! The fact that you can also do simply makes you a multi-tasker. Be who you are, just be good, and your relationships will weather any storm. Life perspectives will continue to change regardless of dreaming or doing but in doing what you dream you have a say in your perspective.

How much of your life is dedicated to shopping?

Very little. I usually buy what I need, in and out quickly. I shop more for mom, during this COVID unpleasantness, so she doesn’t have to risk catching it at 87. But, even for her, I know what she needs and I’m in and out. Clothes shopping is the same “in and out” because I know what I’m after and usually where to find it.

“...most guys have about 73 calories of shopping energy, and once these calories are gone, they're gone for the day - if not the week - and can't be regenerated simply by having an Orange Julius at the Food Fair.”

-- Douglas Coupland, novelist, artist

Why do people want motivation from outside and not wake up?

They are basically lazy. Everyone wants someone else to do for them, even think. God forbid we actually understand ourselves and the universe around us. Life as we know it would end. Hmmm, not a bad idea.

Why is there a need to look back on our past self?

Looking back is all about remembering. We remember what we liked or did not. We remember why we changed, why we strived to be better than we were, and continue to be better each moment. We learn from our past. it is something young people are not taught today. They would rather change the past than remember the lessons to be learned from it. Not much can be learned from lessons based on lies and half-truths. When we look back at our past self, we do a disservice to ourselves if we aren’t honest about what we see.

The hard truth is that love comes from physical beauty. Without beauty there is no love, desire, or attraction, so why do people say that the physical does not matter when it is the fundamental thing in reality?

Beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder. But, love does not just come from society’s definition of physical beauty. There are men who just love plus-sized women. There are people who are very attractive who marry for brains, compatibility, and such, the feeling which they define as love. Love is what each of us wants it to be, not what society wants us to believe it to be. “People say that the physical does not matter” for a reason - for many, it does not matter. The fact that it doesn’t matter means we might soon stop shaming people for their looks, and start appreciating who they really are. This will evidence real hope for humanity.

“Along with the idea of romantic love, she was introduced to another--physical beauty. Probably the most destructive ideas in the history of human thought. Both originated in envy, thrived in insecurity, and ended in disillusion.”

-- Toni Morrison (1931-2019), novelist, book editor, professor

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.