Questions of Illusion, Truth, and Fact

“How strange when an illusion dies. It's as though you've lost a child.”

-- Judy Garland (1922-1969) actress, singer, dancer

 

How much of maturity and aging is the mourning of the loss of illusions that we would rather have kept?

I’m turning 67 and lost my faith in religion several years ago. I still have faith in a higher power, just not in "organized" religion. Organized religion holds onto many hidden agendas that make one question their righteousness. I look forward, more often lately, to the next great adventure and a new body to replace the one I have abused during my misspent youth. I do not mourn my life. However, I do mourn the loss of childhood innocence, the “illusions” older people can no longer see through their jaded eyes. I am working toward recapturing what I can before I move on. Hopefully, I will hold onto those things adults can no longer see, the “illusions,” in my next life.

Can you share your own slogans about truth?

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If it sounds too bad to be true, it probably is. This is especially true in politics.  If a smear campaign has gone on for four years with no concrete evidence or conviction of wrong-doing, know that even a blind squirrel will find a nut sooner or later. How sad is that?

What is a rut that you never thought you would get in?

Not being in a rut. At least with a rut, you know you have something to do - the rut is always there. Being retired, I find myself constantly looking for things to keep me occupied. My rut has become no rut.

“But there was a difference between being stuck and choosing to stay. Between being found and finding yourself.”

-- Martina Boone, author

Would you rather have pets instead of children?

You almost can’t have children without having pets, but the chances are also pretty good that you can have pets without having children. I’ve always felt you should experience as much of this life as you can and not having children would limit this experience. Having children would give you the best of all worlds, divorce, children, pets, the opportunity to mentor, to enjoy grandchildren, divorce (yeah, I said it twice), etc., etc., etc.. I suppose this means I’d rather have children.

Can a wish change a fact? Or will the real fact just be a fact that can’t be changed? If I wish for a fact, that maybe is already true, will it just be true?

If your wish changes a fact, then it wasn’t much of a fact. Wishing for a fact is only beneficial if you wish everyone else would acknowledge the fact for the fact it is.

What does my life has been a blur mean or just in general when anyone uses that word to describe life?

When your life moves so fast you remember little of it, or when it moves so fast the separate memories seem to blur into one. We often use this because we are too busy to actually slow down and really enjoy the moment. How sad is that for those folks?

“When mind is blurred, everything becomes blurred even on the brightest day; when mind is clear everything becomes clear even on the foggiest day!”

-- Mehmet Murat ildan, writer

What do you picture when you think of the difference between the haves and the have-nots?

I picture people who are happy and people who are sad. People who truly understand life, whether wealthy or poor, understand happiness cannot be bought. What you “have” can be construed as material things or can be better construed as what you own. What you truly “have” is something no one can take from you. What you have is a choice you must make, and the best choice is to be happy always.

What is one thing that you have been meaning to do, say try?

The 9,289 kilometers (5772 miles) Trans-Siberian railway, from Moscow to Vladivostok. 

What are the three steps to success?

There are so many more steps than three, depending on who you ask. For me, ask why you want to succeed, then determine what it is you want. Be knowledgeable about what your goal is. Make a plan to get there, knowing your plan will probably change. Work hard at your plan and achieve your goal.

What you think your goal is may change as you work toward it. What we think we want might just morph into what we really wanted all along, or what we might be better suited for. Don’t ever be afraid to change; you can always change back.

“In order to achieve massive success, you must learn to drastically decrease your talking, and continuously increase your actions.”

-- Edmond Mbiaka, self-help writer

Can you answer this quotation, “Life has no limitations, except the ones you make”?

I could answer this quotation if it was a question but, unfortunately, it’s a statement. It states that the only thing limiting our life is what we allow to limit it. Now, some would argue that their limitation is an incapability to learn at a higher level or a physical limitation that holds them back and that these are not our fault. This would seem to be just as valid. The statement might be more correct as, “life is only limited by our desire, our physical limitations, and our capability to learn.”

Formerly Socrates asserts, “An unexamined life is not worth living.” Do you agree? Why?

Socrates could be an ass. An unexamined life cannot be assigned a value because it has not been examined. The worth of a life is in what that life has to offer and the only way to determine this is to examine it. This statement almost smacks of the “hate groups” we see in the news. All life has value and is worth living. Until examined, however, the value of that worth is yet to be determined. 

What do you think about when everything goes wrong?

Tomorrow is another day. We can’t waste time crying over spilled milk. We must learn from the lessons put before us and prepare to go at it again. Such is life. You can give up or move forward, the choice is yours.

Every morning God has gifted us with another glorious day in paradise and yet another chance to excel in this life. Whether we waste the gift or make full use of it is entirely our choice. What happened is in the past. What we do now, at this moment, will determine any future. Better to be concerned about now and learn to be happy always.

“When all things go bad, do not think so badly about all things, instead think about the things that made all things bad and change something!”

-- Ernest Agyemang Yeboah, author, writer, teacher

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.