Potentially Questionable Answers

“I beg you, to have patience with everything unresolved in your heart and to try to love the questions themselves as if they were locked rooms or books written in a very foreign language. Don’t search for the answers, which could not be given to you now, because you would not be able to live them. And the point is to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps then, someday far in the future, you will gradually, without even noticing it, live your way into the answer.”

-- Rainer Maria Rilke (1875-1926), poet, author

I just stumbled on a short essay I wrote about “Humans and Disappointment” on August 22nd, 2018 at 2:20pm. Should I share it here?

Why not? Is it something you’re ashamed of? It is your opinion, and none of us have to agree with it, but if you don’t put it out there, you’ll never know the opinions of others.

Why was the gentleman who was selling watches unhappy?

His “time” was limited.

What is your favorite quote from Newton?

Newton's third law: "For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction." This holds true for much of humanity, as well. The opposite reaction, however, might be the force required for the choice to not react at all.

A man may imagine things that are false, but he can only understand things that are true, for if the things be false, the apprehension of them is not understanding. 

-- Isaac Newton (1642-1727), mathematician, physicist, astronomer, theologian, author

If you had access to a time machine that could send you back to one day in your life, and only for one day, what day would you want to live again? Why?

Back in high school, I had a crush a pretty girl. There was one day I was going to tell her how I felt and I didn’t. We reconnected in our 60’s to find she felt the same way and also said nothing. By Telling people what’s in our hearts we open ourselves up to the truth, good or bad. Rejection is just part of the lessons we need to learn. But, if you don’t put it out there, you’ll never know and, if it would have been good for both of you, how sad is it to never know?

What do you think the 2020 Word of the Year should be?

“Woke,” simply because everyone who thinks they are, aren’t. The very way we act is evidence that no one is “woke.” It’s the definition that never should have been.

How do you get over knowing you might not be important at all to history?

What’s to get over? It is what it is. Some are destined for having their statues trashed by ignorance, and some a destined to be remembered fondly by those around them. We are here to learn lessons, not to strive for notoriety or a place in history. If it happens, let it be through selfless actions, by helping those around us, and accept proffered accolades with all humility.

“History, like love, is so apt to surround her heroes with an atmosphere of imaginary brightness.”

-- James Fenimore Cooper (1789-1851), writer, author

Steve Adcock, a millionaire, saved 70% of his income and retired at 35. Should we all live by these 6 basic principles?

By 6 basic principles, you mean name ourselves Steve Adcock, become a millionaire, save 70% of our income, turn 35, retire, and live by these principles? I’m game.

Is success being judged by the size of your house?

I’ve known very successful people who lived in a fairly humble abode. I’d like to judge their success by comparing how happy they are, where they are, against the amount of their bank balance, and the good they do with it. If you’re filthy rich, humble, and selfless, I’d like to buy you a drink. You are truly a rare breed.

What was the toughest thing you have seen a loved one go through?

When my father had his third stroke, he couldn’t speak, they wouldn’t let him eat or drink because his throat wasn’t working right, had a feeding tube in his stomach, and would sit in a dirty diaper until they changed it. He was miserable. I knew I wouldn’t want to live like that, and being a Sicilian who loved food, I knew he wouldn’t either. He was 89 years old. You could see in his eyes he knew the truth. We put him in what they call “comfort care” so he would be as comfortable as possible until he would eventually pass. He lasted for about three weeks, total. It was a cruel way to die, and I’m so glad he didn’t last too long. 

“The absence of the will to live is, alas, not sufficient to make one want to die.”

-- Michel Houellebecq, author, filmaker

Does money fulfill all a person’s needs?

No. Money cannot buy true happiness or love.

Do you like anything?

I like almost everything.

How can you reach your full potential?

This is a trick question. No one ever reaches their full potential. They arrive at a level they, or others, call “full potential” and then they learn something new. Oops, bumped the level up a bit.

“Full potential” is a state of mind. It is problematic when others dictate what someone’s full potential is, or should be. I’ve heard this line before, “Poor kid. I fear he’s reached his full potential.” You fear? So, you’re giving up on him? He might have much potential left, but let’s crush his dreams, shall we? A person’s potential is up to them to determine, not someone else.

I’m approaching 67 years of age. I have not reached my full potential, and I might not reach it in this lifetime. I may have to wait for what comes next, and I am fine with that.

“Create all the happiness you are able to create; remove all the misery you are able to remove. Every day will allow you, --will invite you to add something to the pleasure of others, --or to diminish something of their pains.”

-- Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832), philosopher, jurist

What’s something you are above average at and why?

MS Freecell. During the few months of quarantine, I played 1949 hands and reached Lever 415. Of those 1949 hands, I had a 100% win ratio. My best time on a hand was 00:01:44. I am now a “Gold Grandmaster 4.” I suppose that makes me good at something. Tenacity, perhaps?

What thought did you have right before your present thought? Can you bet with your last money to recall it?

How incomplete or silly some of these questions are. I win!

How long have you gone the maximum doing nothing?

Technically, never. My mind is always thinking, except when I’m sleeping but, even then, I dream so my mind is still doing something.

“...this evening it's too late, too late to get things right, I'll go to sleep, so that I may say, hear myself say, a little later, I've slept, he's slept, but he won't have slept, or else he's sleeping now, he'll have done nothing, nothing but go on, doing what, doing what he does, that is to say, I don't know, giving up, that's it, I'll have gone on giving up, having had nothing, not being there.”

-- Samuel Beckett (1906-1989), author, playwright, poet

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.