Questioning the Gift of Christmas?

“Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before! What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!”

-- Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

How do you tell if a man is an opportunist using you for an opportunity?

If you truly can’t tell, have I got a deal for you! I have constantly passed along some sage advice I got in the military: If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. If someone is accused of something far outside of their personality, it’s probably false. If it looks like pooh, smells like pooh, and testes like pooh, it is, in all probability, pooh. Gold diggers are all the same.

A good opportunity will be there long enough for you to give it a thorough examination. If someone says the deal is only good for a finite time, look elsewhere. Always ask to see the contracts and information, and take a copy to study overnight. If they won’t do this, walk away. They aren’t rocket scientists either, so being smarter than they are isn’t all that difficult.

What would perfect people do in a perfect world?

Well, first of all, nothing is perfect. So, what would virtually perfect people do in a virtually perfect world? They would strive to make it better.

What is life? A past shadow? A present thought? A future hope? Or just an illusion that one day we will pass?

“Why is life?” This question might help us answer beyond the biological definition of life, to “what” it is in a metaphysical, or spiritual, context. At this moment, though, we simply don’t know. We take what we think we know about life on faith. We hope it isn’t just an illusion, and we hope we will, at some moment, pass on to another life in order to prove our infinite existence.

“This life is what you make it. No matter what, you're going to mess up sometimes, it's a universal truth. But the good part is you get to decide how you're going to mess it up.

-- Marilyn Monroe

Should I choose love over my dream when I can’t have both?

Can’t? Are you giving up? Have you considered your “love” might help you achieve your dream? If your “love” has no use for your dream, find a truer love. And, if you do choose love over your dream, will this make you constantly happier than striving to achieve the dream, even though you might not? If I were you, I would love like there’s no tomorrow and never give up on my dreams.

My boyfriend didn’t answer my call and text messages for 4 days and I stopped texting him or calling.  After 4 days he called to accuse me of not calling him or texting him.  What does that mean and what should I do?

Both of you need to make sure there wasn’t a technology issue. I’m accused of not answering texts that I receive a couple of days later. However, the fact that he didn’t answer your call is troubling, unless his unit didn’t record your call. What it comes down to, either way, bad communication is at fault. Talk to each other and figure out what went wrong. If one of you is full of shit, maybe it's time to walk away.

The best psychological motivation is a friend, but what if they backstab you? How will you walk your path?

Never rely on someone but you for your motivation. No one can walk your path but you. They can give advice and cheer you on but, ultimately, only you can make the choice to move forward. If you listen to others, that is your choice, so you cannot blame these others when you fail. If you allow someone else to invest your life savings, don’t dare accuse them of losing it all. You did that the moment you gave it to them. Would you do the same with your life? Better for you to understand it is your path to walk.

“Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.” 

-- Lou Holtz

Is it possible to live a life by treating everyone in your social circle as an acquaintance and focusing and working only on your goals without any attachment to anyone?

It is possible, but why in the world would you want to? It would be a very lonely life to only have “acquaintances” and not any friends. We are social animals and, as such, we crave attachments. They complicate our lives with drama and responsibility. They teach us lessons from their own lives. We are richer for having all of them in our life, and they are richer for having us in theirs.

Why are we living in a world where everybody treats you depending on your financial situation?

We are? I must be looking at the world through rose-colored glasses. I think that, once you cross a certain threshold of wealth, this might be true… if you’re an asshole. If you treat everyone with true respect and dignity, however, you will find it so much easier to get along in life. Of course, you also have to be willing to simply expect respect and dignity, and not walk around with a chip on your shoulder not expecting to get them.

Why do I always seem to be wrong? Every every idea, every philosophical concept I've ever agreed with always seems to have disproved many times.

Imagine how they feel. They’re the ones who come up with this "iffy" stuff being disproved, not you. Perhaps, your only mistake is not being critical enough. Ideas and concepts keep this world of ours moving forward. Many will be proved wrong, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be put out there for others to shoot at. You probably need to learn how to shoot at them. Sooner or later we get one that is “bulletproof” and has staying power. The most that can happen to it is, perhaps, an update, or someone builds on it to the point it morphs into something else. Change is, after all, the only constant in the universe. Don't lose faith, just be more critical.

“To make mistakes or be wrong is human. To admit those mistakes shows you have the ability to learn, and are growing wiser.”

-- Donald L. Hicks

Do you agree or disagree with the statement, "I thin, therefore I am"?

Well, I fat, therefore I am. I assume you meant to write “think” vice “thin” in this question. 

I agree with René Descartes's statement. If you don’t think, how do you know if you are or not? How do you know anything? Your brain must think in order to breathe. We do this automatically through a process, which I think is called “automaticity.” But, even this still requires us to think, albeit at the most base level, and still proves life. If there is no brain function, you no longer inhabit your mortal shell and, therefore, are not part of this plane of existence. But, do you still think on another plane of existence? If so, then you still are. 

What will happen to God when the universe ends?

Well, unless the omnipotent power we refer to as God is committing suicide, I suppose God will continue on to the next project.

How do I save money on gifts?

Give money to a charity in their name. If you have artistic talent, make gifts. Throw everyone dinner, and make it yourself. Better yet, simply give them a card that says you love them. Christmas is a time for love, comradery, and family. Maybe most of us need a stiff kick in the pants to remember the true spirit isn’t filling the coffers of merchants. Give the ones you love the gift of a soup kitchen, where they can remember what the season is all about.

“The spirit of Christmas is about giving - not only gifts (which are symbolic) but a helping hand to all who need it - this is what Christmas is all about”

-- Amit Abraham

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.