Juggling Answers

“Juggling and balancing effectively required that we make clear, legacy-driven choices about what we're trying to keep in the air and how we sequence our movements down the beam. Because the ultimate grade in life is not based on how far and fast we've walked the beam or how many things we’ve juggled - it’s based on how much we've enjoyed the exercise.”

-- Eric C. Sinoway, entrepreneur, author

What are some signs that you’re juggling too many things in life?

A poor juggler can’t keep things up in the air and in motion, so if you’re dropping stuff, you‘re probably juggling too many things. If there isn’t enough time in the day to complete what needs to be done, or you’re forgetting things, or things are late, all can be signs of having too much on your plate.

Would you rather have everything you want to have, or be everything you want to be?

Having what I want to have, materialistically, would not make me happy. I learned long ago that you can’t buy happiness, and material things are just that - things. But, if everything I want to have happens to be everything I want to be, as a person, this will make me very happy. I know this because I am there, and I strive to continue to be happy always.

"We're often interested in long term goals and long term (measurement) needs to be in place." Does 'measurement' here mean the action of measuring?

Long term goals usually require many separate tasks before the goal is attained. A “five-year plan” is an example. Throughout the five years, smaller goals need to be taken care of, and usually at certain predetermined times. Long term measurement will continue throughout these five years to determine if these smaller goals are being attained on time. Without measuring where a project stands no one can truly report on how well the project is progressing if it is progressing at all.

A great building must begin with the unmeasurable, must go through measurable means when it is being designed and in the end, must be unmeasurable.

-- Louis Kahn (1901-1974), architect

What do I hope to achieve in life?

It really doesn’t matter, just do good and be happy always!

How do I start making better decisions at 47 years old?

First, don’t make any decision or choice without giving it careful consideration. Walk away from any decision that has to be made on the spur of the moment, unless it deals with imminent life and death. A good buy on a car will be the same good buy the next day or after the weekend. If it isn’t, take some brochures and be ready next time it comes on sale. There is always a sale.

Second, get out of debt. Debt causes us to make more bad decisions, like getting into debt in the first place.

Third, find good friends who make good choices and decisions. Stay away from those who don’t. Ask the new friends what they think of any decision you’re about to make. Let them mentor you for a while until you get the hang of it.  Life really isn't that hard and we all should have learned this by 47.

Fourth, above all else, learn to be happy always, especially at 47, since you've reached the top of the rollercoaster ride of life! 

What should you never try in life?

Heroin comes to mind. It has it’s “professional” uses but, personally, I hate needles and injecting any addictive substance into my body.

Why is it said in psychology, “It takes 50 years to overcome the first 20”?

First of all, it’s just a “saying among psychiatrists.” Psychiatrists have a lot of sayings among themselves, and that alone should give us all pause. It does hold some truth for those who have issues. For those who are quick to mature, not so much. There is an article I recommend, out of Prager University, that explains this better than my two years in psychology can, and when you get there click on “transcript” to read it: It's Time to Grow Up

“I suppose it is tempting, if the only tool you have is a hammer, to treat everything as if it were a nail.”

-- Abraham Maslow (1908-1970), psychologist

“Calling yourself woke doesn’t make you woke” Do you agree with this statement?

Absolutely! Most people who claim this are actually idiots following a failed system of supposed awareness determined by other “woke” people, but you’d never be able to convince them of this, cause they are “woke.”

What do you do when you realize you have messed up at work?

If you seriously messed up, tell the boss immediately. Have a plan in your head as to how you can make it right and be able to layout the plan and say how long it will take. If the boss is an idiot, he’ll fire you. If the boss is smart, this will be seen as an opportunity to train you not to mess up again, and also to see how you solve problems and take control. Why fire someone who you just spent good money training? If he fires you, now the boss has to worry about the employee taking your place making the same mistake.

When was the sunset for you something magical?

Every time I see one. As the sunrise announces the beginning of another glorious day in paradise, so does the sunset announce the end of it. Both make me smile. They remind me that I am alive! They remind me of how absolutely infinite the universe is and how happy I am to have even this small insignificant role in it. Be happy always!

“There's a sunrise and a sunset every single day, and they're absolutely free. Don't miss so many of them.”

-- Jo Walton, 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.