Thought: The Impetus of Questions

"Yoga is not a new path to follow but a way to become conscious of the original impetus of life. Yoga is the movement and evolution of Life itself."

-- David Frawley, author, Hindu teacher

Is wanting, the impetus of life?

The definition of impetus: “the force that makes something happen or happen more quickly.” Life happens. Life must carry on so, in this way, life wants to reproduce life. Want, therefore, is the impetus for life.

What are "principles" to live by?

You must have a sense of ethical behavior. This is a respect for moral principles that include honesty, fairness, and loyalty. Basically, always trying to do the right thing. If you fail, go back and make it right. People respect that.

What was your 2020 New Year’s resolution and how do you feel about it now?

Communists (they call themselves socialists) have spent the past four years trying to take over my country. I made a resolution to remain dedicated to being happy always despite the attempts of the League of the Perpetually Offended to make me feel otherwise. I have slipped once or twice, but I am still smiling.

What three things would you want to know if you met someone who could see your future? 

When will I die, how will I die, and will I be reborn into this life or move forward to another? 

“You cannot see the past that did not happen any more than you can foresee the future.”

-- Madeleine L'Engle (1918-2007), author, poet

How do you explain the phrase “stop doubting yourself, work hard, and make it happen”?

You’ll never know until you try. If you’re going to try, try like you want to succeed. If you fail, understand this is a learning process. Why did it fail? Make corrections and try again. Repeat until you succeed. Remember all the problems you encounter so you can be better prepared the next time you try anything. This is how we make things happen.

If you had a chance to start your life over, would you? Why?

No. The choices I made ultimately worked out. If I made different choices, I wouldn’t have met the friends and family I’ve had the utmost pleasure to be around. Life is what we make of it, and I have lived a fine one. There have been potholes along my path, and I have fallen many times, but I would have had it no other way. I am happy!

Would you rather buy a small and new condo or a big and old house?

If the old house is in good condition, I choose big and old. Old houses have more character. Hardwood floors, stone fireplace, things you can’t even find now and would cost a fortune if you did. Plus, I love to fix things up. What you do with an old house can be art, and it can also speak to the kind of person who fixes it up. I have found some hidden gems behind walls in old houses, where a previous owner walled something up that is now fashionable.

“The reality is that old houses that were built a hundred years ago were built by actual craftsmen, people who were the best in the world at what they did. The little nuances in the woodwork, the framing of the doors, the built-in nooks, the windows—all had been done by smart, talented people, and I quickly found that uncovering those details and all of that character made the house more inviting and more attractive and more alive.”

-- Joanna Gaines, reality show host - "Fixer Upper"

If someone is a job hopper because they haven't found a job they really like, how can they find out what the best kind of job for them is?

I’d say someone is on the right track - job-hopping. I can’t think of a better way to test multiple waters in order to see which one is fine for them. Another thought is to ask the multiple bosses, explaining to them why the job doesn’t seem like the right fit and see if they have some ideas to better fit the requirements.

What extent does it reflect your real self?

Well, I’m not sure what “it” is, but that notwithstanding, nothing reflects my real self, except me. We make a choice to show who we really are or to hide behind some mask, some facade that shows what we would rather show people. It is much better if we simply fix what we feel is wrong and show people who we really are. If we’re afraid of ourselves, what does that tell us? Either embrace who you are or change. The real you is who people want to deal with, so let’s hope it is a light in the darkness.

Why don't you want to be a millionaire?

I wouldn’t know what to do with it. I have learned to do so much more with less. Money cannot buy real, sustainable, happiness. I suppose it does lend a little more security to life, but that’s about it. I’d end up sitting on it, invested in some dividend-paying fund, and paying annual taxes on it. Woo hoo.

“In today’s world, money is like oxygen - lack of oxygen can kill you, so can too much of it.”

-- Abhijit Naskar, neuroscientist

What do you see yourself as being known for?

My writings, my life philosophy, my blog called The Path, and my Congregation for Religious Tolerance. All of this is my legacy to my grandchildren and those who know me. Try to be understanding, tolerant, ethical, and happy always. The alternative simply sucks.

There is a popular saying that in order to be happy one should accept this moment, by this act will that person achieve (lets say that person try to finish a task successfully) less compared to what that person could’ve actually achieved?

By living in the moment we remove the stress of what we left behind, that which is done, and that which might come in the next moment. We have more than enough to deal with in the now without cluttering our life with the past or with that which might not even occur.

I’m not sure why this means you are doomed to accomplish less? By freeing your mind to address the task at hand, one would expect to complete the task faster and better than if your mind was distracted by the completed past and the unwritten future.

What's the most insane thing a human has survived?

I’ve seen several videos of “wingsuit” pilots crash and burn. They seem to come out okay, which is amazing to me. I not certain I can share this example, but we’ll see if it “flies” in the face of rules: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hKhofOF_zo

How can anyone find his talent?

Let’s take a quick look at the definition: “Someone who has a natural ability to be good at something, especially without being taught.” — Cambridge English Dictionary

A “natural” ability, “especially” without being taught, would seem to define a savant. What I’ve run into more often are those who, with minimal instruction, find they have a natural talent for something. Many of us don’t know we have talent until it falls into our lap. And, I suppose that’s my point.

The way to find your talent is to try everything. This is the way to find what you never lost, but never knew you had in the first place. It is a treasure hunt for a piece of who we are, and every piece answers the question of why we are.

"To do easily what is difficult for others is the mark of talent. To do what is impossible for talent is the mark of genius."

-- Henri Frederic Amiel (1821-1881), philosopher, poet, critic

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 a chaplain at the regional medical center.