More Questioning of Life

“​The ​currency to purchase the token of truth begins with ​proper phrasing of the query.

It is the ill-considered question that too often ​​creates the false illusion of a binary objective reality wherein two sides can claim equal validity.”

-- Brian Goedken

What is your advice for someone who is ungrateful for the good things they have in life and ungrateful for the nice and thoughtful things, people do for you?

Plan on coming back to do this all again until you learn what you’re here to learn. We make our own hell, here on Earth. After a while, living the same life over and over again, life can truly become a bitch. Better to learn how to be grateful and thankful than to be an ass.

What’s a clever way to put a spin on “no good deed goes unpunished” to encourage doing good deeds? I’m looking to express the opposite of the sentiment in the original phrase.

No “selfless” good deed goes unrewarded.

Do you think life was better with or without social media?

This falls under the heading of “Too Much of a Good Thing.” Everything in moderation. Social media isn’t a replacement for life, it is a “tool” most people have become who use it. Stop being a tool and start living life again.

“An open Facebook page is simply a psychiatric dry erase board that screams, “Look at me. I am insecure. I need your reaction to what I am doing, but you’re not cool enough to be my friend. Therefore, I will just pray you see this because the approval of God is not all I need.”

-- Shannon L. Alder, inspirational author

Would society benefit more from everyone being nice or honest? (You can only choose one or the other)

There are already too many plastic “nice” people. Better if everyone learned to be honest.

Why do good people always get the short end of the stick?

They don’t, always. And, if they do, it’s probably because their goodness isn’t selfless. Selfless people don’t really give a rat’s patoot about the stick. Short or long, they’ll probably hand it back to you and smile.

“I am what other people say I am.” Is that a good quote to live by?

Why do you care what others think if you’re a good, morally ethical, and righteous person? If you care what other people say, you must be doing something you’re not very proud of. Better to just be a good person and ignore those who judge, as they usually are more guilty than you of something. Strive to be happy always, and bring others along for the ride.

“Others can't always define your true identity. They see what they 'want' to see, but beyond your mess God sees the beauty He created and still thinks it's good! "

-- Chinonye J. Chidolue, actor, screenwriter

What if everyone spoke the same language?

Great! Now we know for certain that most of us have been taught virtually no communication skills. Now what?

What Is A life skill you would recommend to everyone to learn?

Other than learning to be happy always, I would think “interpersonal communication” would be a great skill to master.

How do you stand living? Life is difficult. I don’t talk about my life. I talk about generally. I sympathize with animals, people suffering from diseases, orphans. I have a great life I’m thankful but it is not the same for everyone and it is not fair.

Embrace your good fortune as it is a reflection of what you have done in your past lives. If you feel life is not fair for others, then maybe your purpose for this life is to bring others with you. Be the helpful hand, the charitable voice, who mentors others to do the right thing, and give to those less fortunate who are not able to do for themselves. If someone has the means to lift themselves up and don’t, they deserve their lot. If they don’t have the means, due to some infirmary or helplessness, then help should be rendered. If not by you, then by whom?

“However mean your life is, meet it and live it; do not shun it and call it hard names. It is not so bad as you are. It looks poorest when you are richest. The fault-finder will find faults even in paradise. Love your life, poor as it is. You may perhaps have some pleasant, thrilling, glorious hours, even in a poorhouse. The setting sun is reflected from the windows of the almshouse as brightly as from the rich man's abode; the snow melts before its door as early in the spring. I do not see but a quiet mind may live as contentedly there, and have as cheering thoughts, as in a palace.”

-- Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862), naturalist, poet, philosopher

Where is the best place to propose if you aren't 100% sure the person will say yes?

If you’re that uncertain, why are you bothering to propose? You should be very certain of the one you’re selecting as a “life partner” before you jump into a decision like this. At least you start off on the right foot.

What work habits have helped you the most in life?

The question answers itself, almost. Good work habits have helped me the most. Having a good work ethic, a desire to succeed at every task assigned, good communication, and the ability to work with others to accomplish a common goal.

Is it important to always carry a pen or other writing utensil? Why?

I do it because I write almost constantly. If you are full of ideas, or just full of shit, a writing utensil is an invaluable tool for writing down ideas that occur at the moment. The pen, or sharpened pencil, is also mightier than the sword… if one knows where to jam it in order to puncture the carotid artery of an attacker. If not, an unprotected eye will do fine.

Reader Comment:  Upvoted. You expressed everything I wanted to say in a more exciting way than I could’ve said it.

My Response:  My pleasure.

"People tell me they have no talent. The hand was meant to be busy. It was created to create. If you find your hand is empty of a tool, give it a writing untensil and record your thoughts for posterity. Your thoughts are who you are and, recorded, they become the journal for your family and others to learn about you."

-- Me, semi-ancient piehole philosopher

Why doesn't success in school translate to success in life?

In the U.S. we don’t really teach anything worthwhile, anymore. And, what we do teach, like history, is one point of view - that of the winner. Truth is lost in the translation to a simple version of English our children can actually understand, and a socialist viewpoint they're being spoonfed verbally.  Reading isn't really required, you see.

Are certain thoughts universal in that all people would agree?

No. Okay, gotchya.

There will always be that member of the League of the Perpetually Offended who will argue for the sake of argument if they have no other really good reason, which they usually don’t. If we all agreed, however, how boring would that be?

Is there anything I can do now?

Breathe? Not that you have a choice, in that it’s a reflex action. It sounds like you want to think. I’d go to the deep end of your pond and pond-er the universe.

“I had to decide what I was going to do, and what I was going to be.  I was standing there, waiting for someone to do something , till I realised the person I was waiting for was myself.”

-- Markus Zusak, writer, 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.