Questioning the Meaning

 

“Regret is counterproductive. It's looking back on a past that you can't change. Questioning things as they occur can prevent regret in the future.”

-- Colleen Hoover

When have you used the phrase "live and learn"?

Motorcycle accident, junior in high school. Almost died. Onlookers said it was a “miracle” accident, the way it happened. Guardian angel pulling me back from certain death. torn muscles in both knees, a spiral broken femur, and I destroyed my helmet. Laid-up in traction for a couple of months. Hey, live and learn.

What is the meaning of suffering, and can we do something to alleviate it in the future?

Suffering is how an individual defines it, therefore the definition is different for everyone. Can we alleviate it? Probably, because alleviating it is not the same as getting rid of it, which you can’t do. Doing away with suffering would put the universe out of balance, and the universe is all about balance. We would not know pain without the lack of it, darkness without light, sour without sweet, etc., so we have suffering, and as cruel as it may sound, it’s so we can understand and enjoy the lack of it.

What does it mean to make a Faustian deal/pact?

You’re making a “deal with the devil” that you can expect to pay dearly for in the future. Agreeing to pay a loan shark triple what you borrow from them, is an example. The chances of you being able to do this are not in your favor, and the loan shark will collect one way or another. It will probably hurt, and will continue to hurt, until the loan is paid back. The devil will have his pound of flesh, sooner or later.

“What shall a man gain if he has the whole world and lose his soul,”

-- Matthew 16:26

Is it common for someone to say "for the 9,000,000th time" when it was really just the 3rd time?

It depends on how patient they are, or the lack of comprehension of their audience. It should only take once to get the message across.

Since the start of the year, I noticed that I have been noticing much more things around me, like my attention to everything has been dialed up. I notice where people are, who they're with, and what they're doing. Not purposely though. What does this mean?

I can’t give you “psychobabble,” but I can give you an “old guy” perspective. You’re subconsciously paying attention to life around you, instead of being focused on your job, drama, or just yourself. This might just be that you got older and are more appreciative of the things happening around you, you know, like life. If you’re not that old, maybe you matured early. If so, revel in it.

Is the statement "Life's not meant to be fair" a truism? Why/Why not?

How would we learn about life’s ups and downs if life was fair? We could make society fair, but how would that prepare us for floods, fire, tornadoes, and hurricanes, that also make life seem not fair? This is what life is all about. Life is about learning lessons, that's why we’re here. We learn to make good decisions and choices, and how to deal with issues that crop up to test our resolve and our abilities to cope.

“Fair means everyone gets what they need. And the only way to get what you need is to make it happen yourself.”

-- Rick Riordan

Why shouldn't I give up on my dreams and give in to my addiction? What of existence would I miss if I do so?

You’ll never know. As a matter of fact, you won’t know much just giving in to your addiction. I’m certain, however, that you’ll also be surrendering whatever character you might develop. Addictions, whatever they are, take so much away from life. So much better to dream, live a good life, be as productive as you’re able, and strive to be happy always.

What do we mean when we say “I lost myself”?

Back in the day, you used to be one way, and everybody, including you, like the way you were. Then something changed. You lost that person you were. You “lost yourself.”

When you love your job, is it a joy to go to work each day?

Absolutely! Especially when each day is a new challenge. I spent over 22 years with military intelligence and loved the job so much it destroyed my marriage. And then, I spent 17 years with a civilian company and loved going to work so much my vacation accrual became a matter of interest for the HR department. I just didn’t find the need for a vacation.

“If you love your work, if you enjoy it, you're already a success.”

-- Jack Canfield

Is the saying, ‘You don’t have to be twice as tall to see twice as far’ accurate?

Einstein was 5′9″, Hawking was 5′7″, Napolean was 5′6″, Picasso was 5′4″, and Toulouse-Lautrec was 5′ even. All of them saw things their contemporaries did not.

Have you ever discovered a new app and said to yourself "now why didn't I think of that"?

I’m too busy recognizing how the new apps fall short. It’s the people that didn’t think of it that will make it so much better several revisions later. I’m always concerned that the brainiacs didn’t take the time to work all the problems out before unveiling the new and better. I suppose greed has a hand in it.

What motivates the rich to get richer?

Greed, narcissistic pseudo-exceptionalists, or it just makes them happy having something to do.

“Success in life depends upon happiness, and happiness is found in no other way than through SERVICE that is rendered in a spirit of love."

-- Napoleon Hill

I have these thoughts of choking myself I don't want to but I don't know what to do, like physically without hurting myself in any way. What should I do I'm 14?

Put your effort into finding out why you want to choke yourself in the first place, deal with that, and then decide choking was not going to solve anything, anyway. Better to put more effort into striving to be happy always.

Contributor's comment: I can't comment on my questions for some reason. I know choking won't help anything but I keep getting these thoughts and I want them to go away. I tried holding my breath but I couldn't do it long because it got too uncomfortable too quickly and my body forced me to breathe. It started because if me realizing how bad it was when I used you talk to pedos knowingly.

My response:  Life is about making choices and decisions for ourselves.  Some are bad, we learn from these, change our behavior, make better decisions, and move forward.  You are asking all the right questions, and are showing a mature concern for your own welfare.  At your age, you have plenty of time to correct the choices and decisions you've made in your past.  Make good, moral, choices, and strive to be happy always. 

Why does it seem that talks of hatred and judgment are given the most attention by humans? Are people naturally inclined to negative thinking?

Only by some humans. The rest of us have been trying to get over it and get along with each other since 1865. It beats burning cities, looting, and either making money off our own people through the misery we create or shooting them in the street.

What are the best examples of “United we stand, divided we fall” in today’s society?

Standby for news on this. “Promises made... promises kept” or “Promises made, promises kept not so much.” The United States is on the cusp of a significant shift due to the seemingly forced socialist indoctrination of a population that isn’t, and won't, buying into the BS. We the people can either come together and keep our nation strong, or we can fall into violent anarchy as a society divided by liberal BS like "systemic racism" and such.  We have laws in this country that protect all people, and if one side of the political spectrum refuses to make use of those laws, nothing will ever change.  They evidence their desire to simply continue to allow the boot on their neck, holding them down to be miserable, and dragging the rest of us down with them into their pit of imagined despair.

“Our nation is built from the ground up to handle political disagreement. It is not built to endure mass-scale dishonesty and vindictiveness.”

-- David French

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 volunteered as a chaplain at the regional medical center.