A Few Questions of Mistakes

"In failure can be found the best opportunity for learning." 

-- T. Villari

What is the meaning of "one may go wrong in many different ways, but right only in one, which is why it is easy to fail, difficult to succeed, easy to miss the target, and difficult to hit it”?

I’m not sure this makes sense. I can succeed in a project in many different ways. I can hit a target in a standing, prone, or kneeling position. For many of us, there might be just as many ways to succeed as to fail, if not more so. Having said this, there will probably be an easier way to succeed or to fail, than whatever route we chose.

The problem with trial and error is…error. The problem with being reliable is being relied upon. How much of our human struggles are a result of unreasonable expectations?

How much of our human successes are due to our learning from mistakes? The glass is half full. The problem is not a trial with the error. The problem is not learning from the error. Failure is one of the best ways we learn.

What do you think about this phrase "the truth will set you free"?

Guilt is a subtle self-damnation. Whether we realize it or not, lies do us no favor when it comes to finding true happiness.

“The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off.”

-- Joe Klaas (1920-2016), author 

I think therefore I am quote by Rene Descartes. How do I relate this to our everyday conversation?

“I am thinking, therefore I am.” — (earliest translation) 1872 by Charles Porterfield Krauth. Basically, this says everything. If you are cognizant of thinking, how can you doubt your existence? I suppose one can relate this in everyday conversation by the simple fact you are conversing, therefore you exist.

What if acceptance is the reason?

What if our acceptance is the only reason for allowing live births to be terminated? Does acceptance make the murder of innocence, innocence protected in the Constitution, morally okay? And, if it does make the murder of children, who have no voice to fight for themselves, legal, what does this say of us as civilized people? No. Simple “acceptance” should never be used as the only reason for something.

How much bad luck do kind, caring, loyal, and honest people have in life?

As much as anybody else. Being kind, caring, loyal, and honest do not guarantee good luck any more than being mean, selfish, disloyal, and dishonest. Life is a crapshoot. You can pad your bets in the game by making good, educated, choices and decisions. Better just not to concern ourselves with luck where life is concerned. Do the right, ethical, things and make the best, right, ethical, choices, and decisions. Learn to be happy always!

“Shallow men believe in luck or in circumstance. Strong men believe in cause and effect.”

-- Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882), essayist, philosopher, poet

What can we depict from the fact that when a number is decreased by 25%, the new number has to be increased by 33.333% to get the same old number?

Math is fascinating? Having said that, however, “point nine times infinity” will never equal one unless, of course, there is an x-factor involved in the equation. There will always be “point one times infinity” hanging out there, somewhere.

What is Among Us? How do you play it?

If we knew why what is among us it might better define what what is. Until we know what what is, we really won’t know how to play what, or why we should even try.  Does that make sense?

How should I act with all the changes nowadays?

Change is the only universal constant. It is what it is until it isn’t, and then it is what it is again. Better not to concern yourself with those things for which you have little or no control and pay more attention to being happy always.

“You can’t be beaten by something you laugh at.”

-- Jonathan Harnisch, author, musician, artist

Are rich people significantly happier than average people?

An answer put forth, here, referenced a study done by Daniel Kahneman and Angus Deaton. Money cannot buy happiness, according to the study that stated, “We conclude that high income buys life satisfaction but not happiness, and that low income is associated both with low life evaluation and low emotional well-being.”

Whether you are poor or rich, happiness is a state of mind. It is a choice each of us must make regardless of our circumstance. The question we must ask ourselves is if we are willing to embrace “life satisfaction” without happiness? Is that all there is? I think not. Better we should learn to be happy always.

During your lifetime are you are net giver or contributor or a net receiver or beneficiary to society and the economy?

I detest the idea of leaching off of society simply because I can, not because I need to. Welfare begets welfare and while it may seem to “improve” the circumstance of those involved with it, it does nothing to move them along their path into the next existence.

We are here to learn lessons we will need as we move forward. We can learn those lessons or we can remain here until we do. If you choose welfare here you will be faced with welfare again. If your choice repeats, so will your life. We are here to learn, to better ourselves and society, not to suck the lifeblood of those who do.

In a word what do you consider to be the perfect state of being?

Happiness!

“You will never be happy if you continue to search for what happiness consists of. You will never live if you are looking for the meaning of life.”

-- Albert Camus (1913-1960), philosopher, author, journalist

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.