Questioning Needs, Wants, and Overanalysis

 

“In preparing for battle I have always found that plans are useless, but planning is indispensable.”

-- Dwight D. Eisenhower

How can you explain in your own words what a “need” and “want” are? Can you try to explain it from your own experience?

The best way I can answer this is that you need to survive and you want what you desire. Needs are necessities of life. Food, water, warmth, clothing, shelter, are basic needs. Anything nicer than your basic needs would fall under want. Transportation, CDs, DVDs, radio, television, jewelry, and the like, all “wants” but you can survive without them.

Non-material things can also be wants. Companionship, spirituality or religion, a sense of morality and ethics, are all things you can live without but they have a great impact on our lives.

What is the quickest way to judge someone's sincerity?

Have them prove it. Show me. Bring it. Run it up the ol’ flag pole. No? Not really that sincere, eh?

Is there really such a thing as overanalyzing a situation?

Yes. We do this constantly in the military and, I assume, wherever lives depend on analysis. There can be no "I think," "I assume," "Well, maybe," or just relying on the information at hand. People can die. Overanalyzing may not save them, butif you have the time to do it, it is evidence that you did everything you could to get the job done and bring them back alive.

“This is probably the advantage of being stupid. Stupid people just do. We tend to overthink. If we could eliminate the “over” and just think, then we could do, too. Only we’d be smarter doers because we’d be thinkers.”

-- Sarah Strohmeyer

When you were a student in high school, what do you think was your main struggle? What makes you think that?

Overcoming the bullies. I was a small kid and, therefore, a target for bullying. I had to find a way to end it. Bullies are, generally, not the sharpest tools in the shed. I had to get my ass beat several times, but attacking their manhood in front of their “groupies” and their girlfriends for picking on someone smaller, was my way out. I had to get on top of situational psychology, which is why my major was psychology in college, and why I ultimately ended up in the intelligence field.  One of my favorite groups to antagonize when they attack me is the "League of the Perpetually Offended," as they seem to be nothing more than a disorganized group of not very intelligent non-physical bullies. 

Have you begun to not care about things that were important?

Oh, heavens no. At 67 years of age, I now care about important things because I want to, and not because I have to.

How do I get over a guy who does not want me or even see me?

Why would you even care for him? He doesn’t want you or even to see you? Do yourself a big favor and forget this putz. Go out and find twice the guy, which he won’t have to work hard to attain, he simply has to care enough to want to be with you.

“Nothing ever goes away until it teaches us what we need to know.” 

-- Pema Chodron

Am I a hypocrite if I did a sin then pray for forgiveness?

If you constantly think this works, then yes, you meet the definition. Better to ask forgiveness and try to sin no more.

Why do I cry when I get answers wrong?

You’re too emotional about learning, and failure is the best way to learn. Once you wrap your mind around this simple fact, you can begin to really critique your mistake, figure out where you went wrong, and then try, try again. People put too large a stigma on getting things wrong. It’s when you get it wrong for the third time that you really need to start worrying. Never stop trying. When you stop trying is when you stagnate, you stand still, you cease to move forward in life.

What are the best ways to be more courageous?

Learn to ignore the pain. Start by petting a mouse and work your way up to a feral cat.

“I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It's when you know you're licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what.”

-- Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird

How do I reignite a relationship at any time?

Stop letting it go out. Pretty soon the rumor mill will have your number and no one will have a relationship with you, much less more than one. And, if they actually do, what kind of a relationship is that? They aren't very sharp.

What do you think about telling people all the good things you did?

Braggart? If the good things you do are truly good, truly selfless, you don’t need to brag, it’s enough that you did it. Being humble is a better way to be truly happy in life.

Where do technology and humanity cross?

When the technology is used for the benefit of humanity.

“Before you become too entranced with gorgeous gadgets and mesmerizing video displays, let me remind you that information is not knowledge, knowledge is not wisdom, and wisdom is not foresight. Each grows out of the other, and we need them all.”

-- Arthur C. Clarke

What are good examples of how to ask a girl if she is still interested after taking a 2-week break?

This is a tough one, but I’ll take a shot at it.  Ask her.  That's all I've got.  Anything else is just overthinking the obvious.

Will technology keep advancing?

If history is any indication, yes. Of course, that's assuming history isn't just rewritten liberal propaganda.

Can you help me with my career? I am 17 years old and still don't know what to do in life.

Go to college, live life, and it will find you. Or, do four years in the military. Same outcome.

Who is the Great I AM?

God. 

God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ”

-- Exodus 3:14

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.