A Question of Conditions

“...no matter how unconditional a love may seem between two people, there could still be instances in time when that love pales in significance before far more powerful forces of emotion, or perhaps temptation.”

-- Husna Mohammad, writer, poet, author

Where do I belong where I can live and be unconditionally accepted?

Your desire for unconditional acceptance is, in itself, a condition. Your condition of acceptance relies on your desire to “fit in” to where you’d like to belong. It is better to just be yourself and strive to be happy always. Being who you are will make the “acceptance” of you their problem, not yours.

What is it like to only love yourself?

Lonely, and rife with carpal tunnel and soothing lotion.  But, you will learn much and be able to love others more deeply when you become aware.

How do I know when it’s time to turn off autopilot and be more present?

Turn it off immediately! You should always be living in the present because the present is all we truly have. Live in the moment because the next moment may not occur. It would be a shame to die while on “autopilot” and go into your next life wishing you’d been at the controls.

People like you aren't responsible for anything, people like me are, and when we fail there's no one else to blame.”

-- Eliezer Yudkowsky, AI researcher

How do you know when your life isn't about to fall apart?

You shouldn’t have to worry so much about this. Life is all about choices and decisions. Make good ones and you should have good circumstances. Make poor ones and you have to worry more. We learn lessons daily and take them with us as memories. Remember the past but don’t dwell on what has gone before. You also shouldn’t be worrying about things that haven’t happened. We mitigate problems in the next moment by the choices and decisions we make at this moment. Live for the moment, and strive to be happy always!

Would nothing be impossible because nothing is something?

What is nothing? The question itself defines “nothing” as something that is the absence of everything. So, nothing is something that can be defined. And, yet, nothing remains just a concept because even what we define as nothing actually has particles of matter passing through it. Man cannot create an absolute vacuum where there is absolutely nothing. The closest we have come to an absolute vacuum is in the U.S. Congress from 2016 to 2020.  Just saying.

Which is more important after 2020, knowledge, or money?

Knowledge is always more important. Money without knowledge is short-lived wealth.

“Knowledge is wealth, wisdom is treasure, understanding is riches, and ignorance is poverty.”

-- Matshona Dhliwayo, philosopher, author, entreprenuer

When is the best time to stop playing church and start living for Christ?

Immediately. Organized religion is all about control through ceremony and domination. Better to discover your individual peaceful spirituality and embrace it. Learn to be happy always. If you want a church, walk out your front door and look around at God’s cathedral. If you don’t like what you see, you have much work to do.

Reader Comment:  The Bible says not to forsake the assembly of the Brethren. Joining an organized church has its advantages.

My Response:  The Bible.  The obfuscating user's guide for the only true WORD of God - the Ten, very simple to understand, Commandments.

In times of potential great danger, what is the biggest problem with humans to back out quickly enough?

Confusion. “Which way do we run? Which way do we run?” I tried to run away once, when I was young, and tripped over a headstone as I turned. I think I tripped several more times before I regained my feet.  Always be aware of your surroundings.  Be a "Jack Reacher" -  sit in the back, drink lots of coffee, and know your exits.

Why does my recent ex-husband pick up my phone calls and chat, if my voice and everything about me just makes him angry?

Were you friends before you were married? If so, maybe he is trying to tell you he liked that better. If he still feels that way about your voice and all, stop answering his calls. He’s just feeding off of you and showing his ass.

A girl just said that we couldn't become anything. What should I do?

Forget her and go find a girl who believes you can both be everything. 

Never above you. Never below you. Always beside you.

-- Walter Winchell (1897-1972), gossip columnist, radio news commentator

I'm Wicca and some people call me names and insult my religion and practices. How do I stop this?

Other people’s ignorance can be overcome by education. If explaining to them your belief system doesn’t do the trick, there is no hope for redeeming their tolerance. They are charter members of the League of the Perpetually Offended. I find it so much less drama to just ignore the ignorance around me and focus on being happy always. This just pisses them off and makes me chuckle.

Why do you spend tens of hours a week on the internet?

It’s better than tens of hours a day. I check my stocks, answer some questions, and play a few games of mahjong, then I go outside and do some rote manual labor to clear my mind and meditate for most of the day. The internet is a tool for communication and learning.  You also need to have recess.  I finish the day off with a glass of bourbon and an occasional cigar.

Are those who are used to having things their way, more likely to lecture others about how life is unfair?

No, but I think those of us who have learned that life, especially being unfair, is simply lessons we’re supposed to work through, would probably mentor others on how to be happy always.

"The only thing that makes life unfair is the delusion that it should be fair."

-- Dr. Steve Maraboli, author, behavioral scientist

How important in life is it to learn how to gracefully lose and graciously win?

Very important. How we win and lose defines who we are, not only to others but to ourselves. You should always strive to rise above the pettiness of a gloating winner or the misery of a sore loser. Learning from your losses makes you a winner as much as thanking the loser for a well-played game. Do this and you can spend more time striving to be happy always!

Does the meaning of the phrase 'beggars can't be choosers' give you the impression that happiness is a choice?

Yes, it is a perfect example of it. They have the choice to be happy for what has been gifted them, or they have the choice to put it down and walk away. They have the same choice all of us have, to be happy or to wallow in misery. Better to be happy always.

What piece of advice do you have for others (others can be anyone)?

Remember that any drama in your life is there because you let it be. Remove all the drama you have allowed into your life by your own choices and decisions and strive to be happy always.

“People don't want their lives fixed. Nobody wants their problems solved. Their dramas. their distractions. Their stories resolved. Their messes cleaned up. Because what would they have left? Just the big scary unknown.”

-- Chuck Palahniuk, journalist, novelist

 

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.