A Question of Hope

What is your 2020 message of hope to your country?

Vote for the right candidate, for with socialism there is no hope for our country. But, either way, our leaders have put us on a slippery slope to civil war or revolution that only we, the people, can change:

“There has been one rebellion. That comes to one rebellion in a century and a half for each state. What country before ever existed a century and half without a rebellion? And what country can preserve it’s liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is it’s natural manure.”  -- Thomas Jefferson

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My heart is not feeling satisfied. I always want something. What should I do?

Sate your desires, would be a thought. Satisfy your heart. Or, desire a bit less and, instead, focus your desire on simply striving to be happy always.

Why is it that everyone is in the pursue of a good life?

Well, why would anyone choose to pursue a bad life? I think that the majority of us are searching for the elusive happiness that they don’t realize they already have within them. This isn’t all that difficult. Get rid of all the drama in life and stop looking for happiness in all the wrong places. People need to understand that all they need do is make the choice to be happy always. It really is that simple. 

What is your thought and/or ideas with the phrase Unpacking the Self?

Unpack all of the baggage you carry around and lay it out so you can determine what to take to Goodwill or trash altogether. What’s left is in need of some introspection before putting up on a shelf and showing your "self" off.

“Trust yourself. Let self-awareness be your science. Let self-discovery be your research. Let your intuition be your expert. Let your endless curiosity be your teacher. And, above all, find out what makes you smile. That is the most important study you can ever undertake.”

-- Vironika Tugaleva, author, poet

What price have you paid to be yourself?

Being someone who refuses to kiss someone’s ass to get ahead, I have sacrificed a bit. For years, in the military, I was put in for the annual Intelligence NCO of the Year Award. For years I was always the runnerup. Then, I had a friend get assigned to headquarters where he heard the reason I never won was that I don’t play the game. In intelligence, you quickly learn that playing games can get people killed. I told my commanders to stop putting me in for the award. This is the same reason I refused a special assignment to Air Force 1 and Area 51. When it came time to retire I was kept in for the “good of the Air Force” and served another couple of years. I probably screwed myself out of the next rank by not puckering up, but that just wasn’t me.

What makes life worth living?

Happiness. Happiness is all about learning how to make ethically right choices and decisions in life. When you learn to do this, you keep unwanted drama from your orbit and life is so much better.

What lesson of the past is repeated far too often?

Believing what you’re told or what you read. It is good evidence that we’re too lazy to do our own research. Socialism doesn't work.  We repeat this mistake constantly. History is all about how gullible we are to believe what we’re spoonfed by those who write it.

Comment: Well then. I'll just ignore you and believe everything else. That seems the best solution. 

My Response: That is probably best, especially if you’re going to "believe everything else" and ignore my answer.. 

“Do not be ready to listen to anyone who is ready to show you your past mistakes.  Instead, be ready to listen to someone who is ready to show you the untold lessons from your past mistakes so that you may be able to skip your future mistakes”

-- Ernest Agyemang Yeboah, author, philosopher

Have you ever found something simple others found hard?

Being happy always seems to be difficult for most people. I hear them shifting blame for their circumstances without realizing, ultimately, it was their choice or decision that put them where they are. Own your choices and decisions, learn lessons from them, mentor others with what you learn, and move on down your path.

If your husband (or ex-husband) wanted you to get an abortion, but you chose to have the baby, would you ever tell that child her father didn't want her?

When the child became an adult, I think it would be incumbent on any good father to admit to the emotional mistake he almost made, so the child, faced with the same dilemma, might think about letting the innocence of their own have the chance for life.

What was the worst thing that someone said they hated about their appearance which you loved?

Their breasts being too small. I love women with small breasts. I think they're cute. But, it isn’t about the way you look, it’s all about the way you carry it. Make the most of what God gave you and, if you weren’t given much, refer back to, “Make the most out of what God gave you.” Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and more people should be seeing what is inside more than what is out.

“Have you ever been tempted to adjust your appearance, your attitude, or the way you behave in an attempt to fit in with someone? You may think you admire this person, and that's the reason you are considering alterations that are very unusual for you. But could it be, that you actually fear this person? Not in the physical sense - but perhaps you fear that this person won't have a high opinion of you if you behave like... well, like yourself? If so, take back your identity. Be proud of who you are, and don't let anyone intimidate you.”

-- Nitya Prakash, author

What are some examples of your favorite nonexistent items from your time served in the U.S. Military?

Comradery with other military members and our mutual respect for our patriotism; love for the flag, the “rule of law,” and the Constitution. There are those who never find these, but the majority do and are willing to die for them.

Has 2020 been good to anyone?

I think it’s been pretty good but, then, I take life as it comes to me. I like to pay attention to the present and now dwell on the past or worry about the future. make good decisions and choices now, and get rid of any drama that might interfere with happiness. If we simply strive to be happy always, especially in the now, the world might be much better for everyone.

It's been a month since my dad passed away and my life is still kind of unorganized. How can I organize once again?

My dad passed in April of 2019 and I’m still working on this. Take it one day at a time and work on the important issues as they present themselves. You can stress over getting it all done ASAP, but you will miss much. I also have my mother to worry about and take care of which is another “wrinkle” in the day. Strive to be happy always and don’t worry too much about the organization. Everything will come together in time. 

How did your life change when you got over your entitlement complex?

That was the good thing about being born in 1953. The only “entitlement” I knew was working hard for everything I got. My parents were from that generation that actually parented.

What power does being average hold?

On a scale of 1 to 10, probably a power of 5. You know, average.

“Don’t let the opinions of the average man sway you. Dream, and he thinks you’re crazy. Succeed, and he thinks you’re lucky. Acquire wealth, and he thinks you’re greedy. Pay no attention. He simply doesn’t understand.” 

-- Robert G. Allen, author, investment advisor

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.