Questions of "Why?"

“So why do I write, torturing myself to put it down? Because in spite of myself I've learned some things. Without the possibility of action, all knowledge comes to one labeled "file and forget," and I can neither file nor forget. Nor will certain ideas forget me; they keep filing away at my lethargy, my complacency. Why should I be the one to dream this nightmare?”

-- Ralph Ellison (1914-1994), novelist, critic, scholar

Why do people say life is like a buffet?

There is plenty to choose from in life, and you can have a bit of it all. There are pigs in front of you taking the choice pieces, people spooning you from behind like you’re moving too slow for them, and immature “children” putting their snotty fingers all over the salad and dessert bar making it unappetizing for anyone but the stout of heart and stomach. When you’re done with life, it’s time to leave fatter than you arrived, praying you haven’t contracted a virus from the brat in front of you at the yogurt dispenser. But, at least, you’ve already paid the tab.

What is an empty life, where you have stopped reaching forward spiritually because you have become passive with material comforts?

You have answered your own question - an empty life. If you have truly become passive with material comforts, then this would be the opportune time to really reach forward spiritually. Delving into our spiritual nature can be anything but passive. I’m not suggesting necessarily becoming a deist, but why you’re concerned about this should give you a moment of thought as to why you are asking this question. It seems to me like your buried spiritual side is trying to tell you something.

What will you buy if in the next few minutes all items in the world are free for 30 minutes?

Well, if all items are free for 30 minutes, I won’t be buying anything.

How true is this, the two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day that you find out why?

Absolutely! The day you are born, the beginning of this life, is a gift from God. The day you find out, for yourself, “why” you are, is a true moment of awakening and the start of your preparation for the end of this life and the beginning of the next. Everything in between is lessons to bring us to this realization. We can learn the lessons, or take the class again. There is no free pass.

“I am not what I ought to be, I am not what I want to be, I am not what I hope to be in another world; but still I am not what I once used to be, and by the grace of God I am what I am”

-- John Newton (1725-1807), clergyman, abolitionist

Is comparing needed when it comes to improving something?

I assume you’re not talking about people. Parents do compare, not that they don’t love their children but it does help them understand how they’re doing in school and in life. Judgment is another issue, and not near as forgiving. Parents passing judgment should look to themselves, first.

On the other hand, a comparison is necessary when purchasing quality, or improving quality. How would we know something is better or worse without comparison?

Are you happy with your present age?

Not really, but it is what it is. But, if I could keep my maturity and step back 40 years, I might be able to either save my marriage or end it, early, before I wasted 20 years of my life trying to save it.

Should you hide your real-life, and have a fake life in order to make money and function in the society that we live in today?

Why not just be who you are? If you’re truly good at what you do it shouldn’t make a difference. Having said this, business “culture” requires you to dress and act appropriately for the job at hand. This isn’t living a “fake” life, this is going along to get along. Everybody knows it, everybody does it, and nobody is bothered by it… if they want to get along. When you get home you take off the suit and put on cutoff shorts. Nobody judges this. Nobody cares. If you go home and indulge in S&M fantasy and role-playing, have at it. It is who you are, it may not be appropriate in the workplace, however.

Honestly is the best policy, which is true. Season liars will have a problem covering their lies as time goes on, this is because they will have to invent

-- Ngan Tengyuen, author, blogger

Does wisdom come with time?

Wisdom is gained with experience, what we learn through experience, and to experience enough to gain wisdom takes time. The wisdom that doesn’t take time can be confused with luck, and constant luck can be confused with wisdom. The difference is in the explanation, and a good explanation comes with time.

 What's the difference in knowledge, intellect, and wisdom, as well as how to obtain each one?

One begets the other, begets the next. You gather knowledge so you can have intellect. If you understand the “why” of your intellect, of your intelligence, you are smart and have gained wisdom. You can be intelligent and not be very smart, just as you can be very smart and not be very intelligent. To have both is a rare gift.

Why am I so used to following orders and doing nothing else?

There are three types of people in this world - those that lead, those that follow, and those that need to get out of the way. Pat yourself on the back that you aren’t in the last group.
Not knowing you, I can only assume you’ve never been given the chance to lead?

Sometimes this chance to show you can lead needs to be volunteered for. The fact you asked the question is evidence that you recognize an issue in yourself. Only you can make the choice to correct it.

Q Clarification: Well, I have led on occasion, but I never sought the spotlight, so that isn’t true.  I don’t actually follow orders- I am just emotionally used to it.

A Clarification: This does clarify things, a bit. 

(Basically, none of the "clarification" was stated in the question put to me, so my misunderstanding of what was aasked makes sense.  People want answers, but they don't share what we need to know.  Communication should be taught in schools.)

“Why escape your intended purpose by copying and trying to be someone else? You will discover who you were meant to be only after you have shown confidence being yourself.”

-- Suzy Kassem, writer, poet, philosopher

What could be happening if you practice something every day but are still terrible at it?

Perhaps you’re practicing the wrong way, or you’re practicing the wrong thing. I would find someone good at what you’re practicing and ask them to evaluate what you’re doing. If they can help, they probably will. If you truly have no talent in this area, they may look you in the I and say, “You really suck at this,” in which case I’d go find something else to be interested in, unless you really want to keep working at it. You’ll have to come to a realization at some point that, perhaps, you’re just banging your head against the wall. When and if that happens, be honest with yourself. Failure is not a bad thing, it is how we learn to move forward.

What is a weather proverb that is true, and why?

“If you don’t like the weather, wait a bit. It will change.” 

What is your personal definition of career success?

Retire happy! I retired the first time when I was 41 years old. I wasn’t happy doing nothing, so I started another career and retired, again, 17 years later at 58. My boss asked if I’d come back and help them with a project and, since Mexico was getting a bit boring, I came back and worked another couple of years to help them out, before I retired for good. I was successful at everything I did. How do I know this? I left everything I chose to do a happy camper. Now, I volunteer as a chaplain for a regional medical center. I’m still happy!

“I've learned that making a 'living' is not the same thing as 'making a life'.”

-- Maya Angelou (1928-2014), poet, writer, civil rights activist 

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.