Answers: Adjusting for Wordiness?

 

“You were born a child of light’s wonderful secret— you return to the beauty you have always been.”

-- Aberjhani, historian, columnist, novelist, poet

 

Do people need luxuries or necessities more?

Why should you choose a bath over a beautiful woman? Why should you choose to eat healthy over a beautiful woman? Why should you choose to brush your teeth over a beautiful woman? Why choose health over wealth? Then, why should you choose wealth over necessities? Without the necessities, wealth would be living in a vacuum. Without the necessities, the beautiful woman would be so far beyond your reach. You might be a shunned leper in a world of luxury.

Personally, I’m not much for luxury. I can afford pretty much whatever I want, yet I choose a “flip” phone, a used car, a small home, and the like. My wealth comes in the form of my freedom to choose, my health, my friends, where I live, and the food I am graced to be able to purchase.

Focus on necessities. Put your “oxygen mask” on and then help the person next to you. First, you need to learn how to be happy always, or what’s the point?

What is the best advice you can give using only 1 image and 100 words?

The best advice is advice made short and simple. “Be happy always!”  The image for this advice is what you choose it to be. Personally, if a plane is going to crash, I'm pushing you out before I spend the time explaining, in 100 words, why jumping is good advice. The image of a mangled corpse is superfluous.

What is the best psychological word for staying alive?

Surviving.

“What to do if you find yourself stuck in a crack in the ground underneath a giant boulder you can't move, with no hope of rescue. Consider how lucky you are that life has been good to you so far. Alternatively, if life hasn't been good to you so far, which given your current circumstances seems more likely, consider how lucky you are that it won't be troubling you much longer.”

-- Douglas Adams, author, writer, humorist

Do you agree with this statement: "He that would govern others first should be the master of himself"?

Oh my, yes! If you can’t master yourself, how do you expect to govern others? One must lead by ethical example. One must find in themselves the rock that others can lean on. Your obvious sense of ethics defines who you are. I have never ask someone to do what I haven’t done or are not willing to do. If you have a weakness, let it be your humility to let those around you know that you, like all of them, have a weakness. Be human, not superhuman. Many of the best leaders have been those who never sought to lead, they were chosen to, because of the person they were seen to be. Be the master of yourself before you deign to govern others.

How do you say “something is great”?

How about, “This is great!”?  (Another trick question?)

Why is it important to deeply think about everything you stand for?

What you "stand for" defines who you truly are. You can say much, and most people usually do, but to truly stand for your set of morally ethical principles is another matter entirely. You must think deeply about everything you want to stand for and, then, make it your second nature. You shouldn’t have to ask people to wait while you “deeply think” about what you are going to stand for one minute to the next. Know who you are, and be the light others choose to emulate.

“I'm worried that students will take their obedient place in society and look to become successful cogs in the wheel - let the wheel spin them around as it wants without taking a look at what they're doing. I'm concerned that students not become passive acceptors of the official doctrine that's handed down to them from the White House, the media, textbooks, teachers and preachers.”

-- Howard Zinn (1922-2010), historian, philosopher

What is another way of saying ‘the new normal’?

The “New Happy.” The “New Reality.” “Onset Socialism.” “No Fun.”

How can I possibly be good when everyone else is evil and will therefore always win over me?

Character and good moral ethics. The universe is all about balance. You’d be surprised at how many of you are out there, wondering the same thing. Evil can only win over you if you let it. A good character says you will laugh in the face of evil, even if it costs you what everyone else enjoys. Yes, it really isn’t fair. My best advice is for you to suck it up, Buttercup! Your reward is not in this world but, rather, in the next. What we learn and put into practice here has much bearing on how far we advance in our next existence. You will, in all probability, have the last laugh… for the time being. They might, sooner or later, finally get a clue and catch up.

What is the thing that has opened your eyes and awakened you to something?

Leo F. Buscaglia. I thought I was on the right track. I was comfortable in my interpretations of life and emotions. And then, I listened to a public television presentation of Leo Buscaglia. I listened to him. I was enthralled by him. My mind opened up to possibilities and truths I had not even considered. I cried, and then I laughed. His death was a loss to all on earth. I, for one, have missed him greatly.

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.”

-- Leo Buscaglia (1924-1998), author, motivational speaker, educator

What is the decisive point for classifying a certain speech as unacceptable?

When it seriously deviates from the subject, is far too convoluted, or insults the audience.

Is there a word for “more than perfect”?

You can’t have “more than perfect” if nothing is actually perfect. The minute we label something as “perfect” someone will come along and make it better. Even in nature, we can say something is perfect but, upon closer inspection, there will be "acceptable" flaws. The best rating we can ever hope for at any one moment is “virtually flawless” which would make something "virtually" perfect.

How true must love and trust be a two-way street?

Very true, if a relationship is to have “staying power.” Without love and trust, what point is the relationship? An "open" relationship, or “two ships that pass in the night” would be better concepts than this. At least there's a modicum of honesty involved.

“True love will triumph in the end—which may or may not be a lie, but if it is a lie, it's the most beautiful lie we have.”

-- John Green, author

When shouldn't we adjust?

I wouldn’t “adjust” in a business meeting, or while being introduced, or in front of ladies. If you find the need to adjust, suck it up until you find a private spot, like the restroom, then you can adjust away. I assume this is the “adjustment” of which you speak?

What words describe someone that loves another person more than themselves?

Selfless devotion comes to mind, but even in this, you must love yourself more than enough to be able to give in this manner. There is no greater gift than giving one's life for another, but those that do love themselves so much they have no qualms about giving their life to save another. It is a selfless act of love for others that drives this. but it is the great, unquestionable, love of self that begins the journey.

When do babies carry great importance to society?

When we stop murdering them before they’re born. The measure of a society is how they treat the least of them, those who cannot stand to defend themselves.

“I feel the greatest destroyer of peace today is 'Abortion', because it is a war against the child... A direct killing of the innocent child, 'Murder' by the mother herself... And if we can accept that a mother can kill even her own child, how can we tell other people not to kill one another? How do we persuade a woman not to have an abortion? As always, we must persuade her with love... And we remind ourselves that love means to be willing to give until it hurts...”

-- Saint Teresa of Calcutta

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.