Questions Starting Off 2021

"I usually make resolutions when I am drunk, that way I never have to commit it. Happy New Year!"

-- Unknown

What are your New Year’s resolutions for 2021?

I resolve to continue to be happy always! Why? The alternative simply sucks.

Is something crazy going to happen in 2021?

Crazier than the Chinese government trying to kill the world? Maybe Iran starting a war they cannot win against an administration that would let them.

What can I do to celebrate the New Year 2021?

Give selflessly to a charity of your choice, whether a monthly contribution or an annual endowment. Once a year I make a contribution to a children’s hospital, and several times a year I purchase food for the local soup kitchen at the Baptist church, especially for Thanksgiving and Christmas. It has become my way to let go of the past year and ring in the new year.

“Each New Year, we have before us a brand new book containing 365 blank pages. Let us fill them with all the forgotten things from last year—the words we forgot to say, the love we forgot to show, and the charity we forgot to offer.”

-- Peggy Toney Horton, author 

Do you care what happens to Trump after January 20th?

Do I care what happens to Biden if he continues back-peddling on his promises to half of the American people while confirming the opinions of the other half? It is politics. No matter what happens, the American people will get screwed, some worse than others. Be careful what you wish for.

Comment:  You answered the wrong question. This shows Trumper’s are now hiding their lack of enthusiasm for Trump and moving on to Biden.

My Reply:  Oh, I answered the question, there was simply a lack of understanding.   

And, thus started this session's mindless drivel from the League of the Perpetually Offended.  They came out of the woodwork with strange, non-constructive comments, veiled threats, "attempted" character assassination, yadda, yadda, yadda; everything I have come to expect from the LPO - nothing substantive. 

Occasionally an intelligent mind will insinuate itself into the mêlée, but they are few and far between. I said "intelligent" which has little to do with being smart enough to shy away from this kind of crap. Better to let the LPO feed on themselves, and let others read their disappointing comments, than to try having intelligent disagreement with them.

My dad was my biggest bully in life and a severe abuser. I cut off contact and then went back, only to hear him complain about me and emotionally abuse me. How can I make sure I cut him out for good?

Stop going back. You started fine by cutting off contact, then you must have had to prove to yourself it was the right thing to do. Convinced?

Why is it, that when you make a mistake in life, many people jump in to attack?

Fearful cannibals. Groups of us attack our own weak and devour them. Now, consider they usually do this as a group. Why? The members of these groups are also very weak, and usually weaker than those they attack. Like most senseless bullies, they have fear. If you stand up to them they’ll back off like the true cowards they are, not that I’m judging, but I used to be a victim when I was young, then I stood up for myself.

“If people refuse to look at you in a new light and they can only see you for what you were, only see you for the mistakes you've made, if they don't realize that you are not your mistakes, then they have to go.”

-- Steve Maraboli, author, behaviorist, veteran 

What would you think of a guy with no friends and not even trying to have any?

I would consider him a loner. It wouldn’t stop me from being cordial to him, however. One needs not to assume. 

Why is any situation I am passing through in life nobody's business and must I figure out how to scale through myself?

It’s only “nobody’s business” if you want it that way. It is your choice to “scale through it” yourself or to ask for assistance or mentoring. Some people, having gone through the same stuff, might be good advisors. You can’t walk their path, nor can they tell you how to walk yours, but knowledge is a terrible thing to waste, especially because of pride.

How can you make it?

Determination. You must make the conscious choice to make it. If you have the right determination there is no room for failure. Put your eyes on your goal and never waver from it. If you fall down, get back up. If they knock you down, get back up. Never take “no” for an answer, and “can’t” is no longer in your vocabulary. If they ask for a volunteer, do it. If people call you a “brown noser” tell them to lead, follow, or get out of your way. When they take a step back, just smile.

“Refuse to become a victim of your circumstances and give a lift to your potentials each and every day against the wish of any obstacle you encounter!”

-- Israelmore Ayivor, writer, blogger, speaker 

"One's destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things." -- Henry Miller. What do you think?

Everyone says, "It isn’t about the destination, it’s about the journey." Personally, if the destination is heaven, I’ll get off the train and ask when the next train is due. By this time, I would have earned being in heaven, but one has to think you’ve also earned the right to keep moving along by this point. Heaven is supposed to be the perfect place. I just can’t imagine how boring "perfect" will become after a couple of millennia.

The destination we seek is a place and it's also a new way of seeing things. How we see things changes as we journey onward through our many lives. I think heaven might just be the final test for those who make it.  The final exam:  Will you stay, or would you rather continue on?

If you buy off on "The Rapture," I think this is a test as well.  All those souls being left behind and all the righteous getting in line for "salvation" makes me wonder why all the "righteous" are in line?  Who will step out and ask the Lord, "What of these?"  Everyone is in line because they've been told they'll be saved, when what the Lord might really be after are the few who will make the selfless decision to stay and continue counseling the wicked.  How righteous would that be?

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of what was popular when you were growing up, going from childhood to pre-teen to teenager, and what was one thing you just couldn’t wait to do, like at age 16, for instance?

Pixy Stix, and kiss Susan, the freckle-faced redhead I’d been infatuated with since 4th grade.  Loved Pixy Stix, never did get the opportunity to kiss Susan.  Too busy!

Why are so many people attracted to the collective beehive mindset?

Independent thinking is not required. Welcome to "The Borg Collective."

“We're attacking all accepted values. Authority, class differences, shared perceptions. We don't care what happens to our social structure -- revolutions are for suckers. Our target is people's collective consciousness. It's like throwing a cream pie in their face.”

-- Fuminori Nakamura, author

What life situations are not worthwhile to make compromises for?

Anything that compromises one’s personal code of moral ethics. What we stand for is who we are. Once you compromise your code of ethics, how can anybody truly know you? Better to be a constantly shining light than a faulty circuit that leaves you wondering when you’ll be left in the dark.

What are the most indecent moments you have ever experienced in front of a doctor?

She was an attractive blonde captain in the Air Force giving me my periodic physical. She had a firm handhold on my package when she told me to turn my head and cough. I was counting backward from 100, trying not to be aroused. What came out was a weak excuse for a cough. She asked me what the problem was, and I looked at her, smiled weakly, and said, “Really?” She smiled and told me to get dressed.

How do you surrender to a life that refuses to please you?

You don’t. If you do, it is a choice you make to do so. Strive to be happy always. Sometimes this means giving up a goal or changing how you go about reaching it. Never give up, but never surrender either.

“You may find yourself in the middle of a storm. You must never have the word ‘surrender’ in your dictionary! Fight back is the only word you need!”

-- Mehmet Murat ildan, playwright, 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.