Questions of Positivity?

“Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough”

-- Oprah Winfrey

How can one send a message of positivity?

First, learn to be positive, otherwise, no one will believe you.

What’s your positive message for today?

Same as it is every day: Strive to be happy always!

What positive messages can you give yourself about your future?

It’s all downhill from here! Enjoy the ride!

(Note:  Yes, the three questions above were sent by the same person.  Rocket science might determine the questions, as a whole, evidence "positivity" issues.  Yes?) 

“People tend to be generous when sharing their nonsense, fear, and ignorance. And while they seem quite eager to feed you their negativity, please remember that sometimes the diet we need to be on is a spiritual and emotional one. Be cautious with what you feed your mind and soul. Fuel yourself with positivity and let that fuel propel you into positive action.”

-- Steve Maraboli

How can you relate your life to Rizal when he was a student in UST?

So, because he went to the University of Santo Tomas (UST), this cause difficulty in relating to him? I would find it more difficult to relate my life to his because of his accomplishments. And, he accomplished what he did in the latter half of the 1800s. Talk about a rolling stone gathering no moss:

“He was an ophthalmologist, sculptor, painter, educator, farmer, historian, playwright, and journalist. Besides poetry and creative writing, he dabbled, with varying degrees of expertise, in architecture, cartography, economics, ethnology, anthropology, sociology, dramatics, martial arts, fencing, and pistol shooting. He was also a Freemason, joining Acacia Lodge No. 9 during his time in Spain and becoming a Master Mason in 1884.” — Wikipedia

Assuming, of course, you’re discussing José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda. The tragedy was dying by firing squad as an accused revolutionary, but being a revolutionary seemed to be what he was all about where education was concerned.

Has someone helped you selflessly while you were in some adverse situation?

During my very messy divorce in 2000, my family and many friends and colleagues came to my assistance and support. They were there for me during the worst time in my life, and I will forever be grateful.

What is your thinking on Michelle Pfeiffer's statement that "Sometimes the traditional way of doing things isn't always the best way"?

Times change and people learn more. There are always people who can find a more efficient or better way of doing something that isn’t traditional.

“I have the Asperger's syndrome and that means I'm sometimes a bit different from the norm. And - given the right circumstances - being different is a superpower. It makes you think differently. And especially in such a big crisis like this one we need to think outside the box. We need to think outside our current system, that we need people that think outside the box and who aren't like everyone else.”

-- Greta Thunberg

What are the best tips to manifest the life that you want to live?

Ensure the life you want to live makes you happy always.

I feel I do not understand life. Why?

How old are you? Unless you’re ahead of the curve, and even those who think they are aren’t, you won’t understand life until you have lived it. I think most people, unfortunately, have their “Aha!” moment just before they pass on to the next great adventure.

How does one decide what is the best for them?

Trial and error. We learn best by failing. When you find what’s best for you, you will feel comfortable in it, even though you might make mistakes, and you will find yourself being happy doing it. Strive to be happy always!

"Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid."

-- Albert Einstein

According to age, the experience you've got from life, what 3 pieces of advice would you love to give youngsters?

Develop a good moral code of ethics and abide by it. Own your life, your choices, and decisions especially when it comes to debt. Stay out of debt. And, finally, learn how to be happy always.

How is planning important in recreational activity?

Planning with respect to recreation is a safety concern. Do you have life jackets, a first-aid kit, a fire extinguisher, survival needs? If you’re a runner, have you hydrated, eaten protein, stretched prior to the run? If you take long hikes in the woods or mountains, have you told someone where you’re going and when you’ll return? Have you packed some food and water? A compass and map? Planning is very important.

What would cause a situation of good intent to go wrong and end negatively?

Not thoroughly thinking through the action of “good intent” to ensure the outcome is what is hoped for. I’m going out on the ledge to try and talk in a “jumper” from committing suicide. Am I trained in this? No. Should I do it? Only if there is no other recourse. Not being trained, you might say something that will send them over the ledge.

We call an intention good which is right in itself, but the action is good, not because it contains within it some good, but because it issues from a good intention.

-- Peter Abelard

If you were granted three wishes and each wish must be used for the benefit of humanity in general (not you in particular), what would your wishes be?

Peace on Earth, the end of greed, and the knowledge of the universe.

What is your ray of sunshine?

Grandchildren!

As a result of COVID-19, have you had to rewrite your personal game plan or employment plans?

Being retired none of this is in play. I have, however, had to put my “me time vacation” on hold, and have, instead, mastered the expert levels of Majong and Freecell without a loss in several thousand games of them. I suppose you might consider them my “personal game plans.”

What is a goal you had that you soon realized was very superficial?

To make my father proud of me. But he loved me, so, if I simply tried, his pride in me should have been without question. What I needed to learn was to be proud of myself, of my own accomplishments, regardless of what my father thought, and then to be proud of the fact that I even tried. Anything other goals in life are superficial.

"Superficial goals lead to superficial results."

-- Attila the Hun

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.