Always Questioning Time... and Time Again

 

“How did it get so late so soon?”

-- Dr. Seuss

Why do we categorize life in stages?

Because we pay way too much attention to the human construct of "time" which, most physicists might agree, does not really exist. What does exist, however, is the current moment, the “now” of life. Now is where our attention should always be. It is the ability to live between the tick and the tock of a clock. The choices and decisions we make in the now drive what occurs to us in the next moment, if it occurs, which is not guaranteed. 

If we have a need to “categorize” our life, we should keep it simple - past, present, and a possible future.  All of the moments, the “now” we have lived, are categorized as our past. The choices and decisions we make are categorized as our present, the “now” of life. What we do in the “now” has much bearing on what we categorize as our possible future, possible because any future, any “next moment,” is not guaranteed to occur.

What we define as time, is infinite reality. Reality existed before we developed the concept of time and it will continue long after we humans have died off and our awareness, of the "concept of time" we created, is no more. What we need to embrace is the theory that our existence does not end with this current life. “When we have shuffled off this mortal coil,” we will be reborn into our next assignment.

“Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.”

-- Saint Theresa of Calcutta

When all is said and done, what really matters?

Oh, this is always so easy. What really matters, and the only thing that should ever matter, is being happy always!

What's a good question about life?

“Why?” It is the question no one has been able to answer.

Why can you live even if people disapprove of you?

Generally, because people who judge have more issues they need to pay more attention to than you do. If they disapprove, there must be some reason for the disapproval and, if it is important to you, you might want to find out why that is. If there is evidence to you that your life is shit, maybe there is something in what they say. If you are a happy camper, then you have reason to live life, to ignore them, and strive to be happy always. That will probably make them disapprove of you more, in which case they are probably members of the League of the Perpetually Offended.

“Creativity is the virtue to think differently and the strength to withstand the storm of external disapproval.”

-- J.R. Incer, author, memory expert, life coach

Can you say what your life achievements are?

Procreation, artistic ability, military service, spirituality, early retirement, and almost constant happiness. And, just about in that order. 

How do you love like a minimalist?

Minimally.  Is this another trick question?

How do I stop touching down there?

Better to first ask, why you should.

What are 10 ways to cope with stress?

Find the cause of your stress and get rid of it, meditate, exercise, socialize, find a hobby, sex, bourbon, more sex, focus more on “now” than the past or future, and, most importantly, strive to be happy always!  Did I mention sex?

“If you want to conquer the anxiety of life, live in the moment, live in the breath.”

-- Amit Ray, author, spiritual master

What is the present form of "lost"?

"I am, presently, lost."  As opposed to the past, "I was lost."  Or, the future form, "I plan to be lost."  Is this another trick question, or did I miss it completely?

What's wrong with smart goals?

Absolutely nothing. “Smart” goals are intelligent goals that have been thought out. Always hope for the best, but be sure to plan for everything else. Oh, wait, you mean SMART goals... Not a clue.

What should I do if my girlfriend wants me to move to another state?

I assume you mean, with her. Otherwise, she doesn’t want to be your girlfriend anymore. You need to ask yourself why you would do this. Does she love you that much? Do you love her that much? What does it mean for your life? What will you have to change?

The big question here is love. You both need to understand the commitment issue and be comfortable with it and, most importantly, if it doesn’t work out. Make sure you both can part friends with a “no harm, no foul” attitude - no anger.

All this being said, I’d make the usual list of pros and cons to see how it will really affect your life.

Writer's Comment:  I don’t want to move, and my whole life is here in Alaska. I’ve got a great job that pays almost 6 figures with room for advancement. My family is here and my friends, my volunteer organizations, everything.  She says she wants to leave her home and all of her family but she doesn’t want to be here cause it’s too cold. She sprung this on me after she claimed to be okay with moving to Alaska.

My Answer:  It sounds like all the decisions are hers to make. You have way too much on the side of staying.

“If we commit ourselves to one person for life, this is not, as many people think, a rejection of freedom; rather, it demands the courage to move into all the risks of freedom, and the risk of love which is permanent; into that love which is not possession but participation.”

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

Considering you only live once, why say no?

Because you’ll regret it when you die and find out the “only live once” is wrong.

What is meant by saying that "We have to experience the world"?

Taking a vacation to somewhere else isn’t really experiencing the world. Having served in the military, immersing yourself in another person’s culture is really experiencing the world. The majority of us sit on our collective asses at home and think we know what’s good for the world when we can’t even know what’s good for ourselves. We hold signs asking for money while a leper in South Asia really knows what it is to need compassion. We should all be lucky enough to truly experience the world around us and, then, we can judge what we do here a bit better.

What is the purpose of life if there's nothing to care for or do or achieve? I've already lost everything.

I also lost everything, in my divorce. I gave her everything I owned. I gave her my children. I thought about giving her my life. My life? Someone who cared so little for me?  Who already had everything else of mine?  I was going to give her my life? Well, this was a stupid thought, and I’d already had my fair share of stupid thoughts.

Life is all about choices and decisions. Through good choices and decisions, we will hopefully arrive at good consequences. It took some time, but I finally recognized that losing everything was not her fault, it was mine. I made a bad choice, her, and followed it up with a bad decision, to marry her. It took me 20 years to realize there was no saving a marriage that was dead on delivery. It was time for me to bury the desiccated corpse that was my failed marriage, and get on with what life I had left.

Yes, I lost everything, by my own choice. I rebuilt my life, almost from the ground up, with the help of good friends and family. In five years I was back on top of the world. But, I brought with me valuable lessons: Life is everything, so never give it up without a fight. Forgive those who have wronged you, even if they don’t hear you. Learn to accept the apology you know you’re never going to get. Get rid of all the drama you invite into life,  by your own choices, and strive to be happy always.

You have your life, so care for that above all else. The purpose of life is life. Hell on earth is when you shoot yourself and wake up at the same moment with the gun in your hand. How many times do you have to die before you change your choice and make a different decision?  Get off your ass and stop wallowing in the pit of self-pity.  Find something to care for, do, or achieve.  Life is about living, so try starting with that.

“Accept yourself, love yourself, and keep moving forward. If you want to fly, you have to give up what weighs you down.”

-- Roy T. Bennett, inspirational author

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.