Happiness Answering Back

"Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?""That depends a good deal on where you want to get to," said the Cat."I don’t much care where—" said Alice."Then it doesn’t matter which way you go," said the Cat.

-- Alice in Wonderland

How can I live a life of fantastic, whimsical adventure? Is there a certain job or mentality/personality I must have?

Unless you want to follow Alice down a rabbit-hole, join the U.S. Air Force or the Coast Guard. I spent over 22 years in the Air Force and I would describe just as you did, a fantastic, whimsical, adventure. You’ll make some great friends, do an important job, and see the world (if you choose to do so). The mentality and personality are to accept it as an employment contract you renew every 4 years. And it can be a job where you work hard, play hard, and can have all the fun you want if you’re capable of wrapping your mind around it and embracing it.

Why is money not important in our lives?

Money is not truly important to happiness, as true happiness comes from within. However, it is important for creature comfort, the "necessities" of modern life. A home, transportation, food, environment control, all require some form of trade. We put way to much stock in money to bring happiness into our lives. Happiness is a choice each of us must make, to be happy always, and refuse to let drama infect our otherwise happy demeanor.

What are some surprising lessons you've learned as you've grown older?

Only concern yourself with what’s important - friends, family, and your health. I found the best way to do all three was to concentrate on being happy always. I found that being happy always is much easier if you have no debt. So, relish your friends, family, and good health, stay out of debt and, for goodness' sake, be happy always!

"Do not regret growing older. It's a privilege denied to many."

-- Unknown 

Which type of people inspire you? Who do you aspire to be like?

Honest politicians inspire me. That means they're good.  I’m not inspired very often. They're not always that good, or honest.  I’d aspire to be like them but, again, they aren’t that good or honest. Their biggest flaw is that they aren't that good... or honest. 

The moment you aspire to be like someone else, they will let you down. It is better for you to aspire to be better than you are, that way you can be inspired by yourself. The only disappointment will be if you let yourself down, so don’t.

What are some examples of throwing someone in the deep end?

“Throwing someone in the deep end” isn’t the same as “throwing someone under the bus.” “Under the bus” is about shifting blame onto some poor sap, while “in the deep end” is about “sink or swim” or being given an assignment you're may not be ready for. It is worse than “trial by fire” where you’ve been trained but not been tested before you have to "go out among them English," so to speak.

I was assigned a Non-Commissioned Officer position a couple of months after I joined the military. I was assigned to develop an Intelligence graphics section, because I knew something about art. Other than graphics, this was not anywhere close to my wheelhouse of knowledge. It was a “sink or swim” situation. If I failed it would demonstrate what I was made of, and probably get thrown under the bus. If I succeeded, it would demonstrate that I can swim in the deep end with the big boys.  I had to train myself by going to the base graphics section and picking the brains of those in the know.  I requisitioned the tools of the trade, then I crawled before I walked and walked before I ran.  A month later I was training and supervising another airman.

By the end of the first year, we received accolades from an Operational Readiness Inspection for creative thinking.  This was long before graphics could be done on a copy machine.  Everything was done by hand.  Now everyone can do their own graphics and briefing presentation with a computer program. 

I succeeded.

Are cowards born or created?

Created. We’re pretty much a blank canvas when we arrive here. Our environment has much to do with who we ultimately become.

“Be inspired by the goodness in people and not their flaws.”

-- Rudolf Jerome Ragay

What are the most challenging things to come to terms with in life?

Loss. Any loss. Loss of life. Loss of job. Loss of money. Loss of freedom. Loss of hope. But, especially, loss of freewill. The loss of your ability to choose. No one has the right to deprive you of this. It is your choice to allow it. They can chain your body, but they can never chain your mind.

What is the difference between being perfect and being perfect at everything?

The first thing to understand is that no one is “perfect.” With this in mind, it is a certainty that no one is perfect at everything. Someone will always come along, learn from you, and strive to be better.

What qualities make a person extraordinary in every field?

In every field?  No person is that extraordinary, but for those who strive to be, they must have the drive and determination to be more than they are. In this way, even the least of us can be extraordinary to others who see what they accomplish.

“The things you do for yourself are gone when you are gone, but the things you do for others remain as your legacy.”

-- Kalu Ndukwe Kalu, political scientist

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.