Questioning One's Existence

“Of course I’ll hurt you. Of course, you’ll hurt me. Of course, we will hurt each other. But this is the very condition of existence. To become spring means accepting the risk of winter. To become presence means accepting the risk of absence.”

-- Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Am I nothing? Am I a worthless loser that doesn't deserve to exist?

My opinion? We are what we choose to be. This question suggests a concern that, perhaps, you should be more. If so, then you need to consciously choose to be more. None of us are worthless, and we all deserve to exist. Your task is to find your true value.

We exist here to learn lessons. These lessons prepare us for what comes next, and there we will learn lessons to prepare us for the next existence, and so on. What you‘re going through is nothing more than a lesson you must learn in order to move forward. Like school, if you don’t learn what you’re here for you will probably be reborn here until you do, and then you can move on. When people consider suicide they should consider that it solves nothing - they end up right back here to try again, until they get it right.

For now, embrace that you are something important. If you weren’t you wouldn’t be here. You are only the loser you choose to be but, even in this, you deserve to exist. Better you should strive to be happy always.

Why is President Biden viewed positively on many issues, but the public is less confident that he can unify the country?

Have you actually fact-checked any of his remarks? It’s one thing to be a bit out in leftfield, so to speak, but a person has to, at least, try and keep the ball in the park.

How do you know and find out what one deeply cares about?

Ask.

“My friend...care for your psyche...know thyself, for once we know ourselves, we may learn how to care for ourselves"

-- Socrates

What do you choose, "to meet an unknown life form" or "to reunite with an old friend"?

Unknown lifeform. The “old friend” can look me up if they so desire. 

Why does hope have to be a setup for disappointment?

It doesn’t have to be, but your hope is having faith in something for which there is little or no proof it will come to pass. Hope garners no guarantee. I hope for meaningless sex this weekend, but it would be more apt to happen if I go out and look for it. Hope is no substitute for getting off your ass and working for it.

I am single and need someone in my life. What should I do?

Meet people. Join clubs. Go to social gatherings. Better yet, be bold and ask someone out yourself.

“We cannot decide to love. We cannot compel anyone to love us. There's no secret recipe, only love itself. And we are at its mercy--there's nothing we can do.”

-- Nina George

Is the whole point of being ignorant not being able to realize that you are ignorant?

That would be pretty ignorant. 

Dispersion is a phenomenon that lessens the concentration of light. What activities in your life tend to lessen your concentration or focus? What do you plan to do with these distractions?

I’m a one-job person. I don’t “multi-task” well, at all. I even find background music a distraction. If I’m writing an article or doing research I have to close the door and get down to it. The only time I allow distractions is when I’m doing manual labor that requires no concentration, like yard work.  This need to focus without distraction is a holdover from my intelligence career.

How do I become independent at the age of 19.what should I do?

Get a job that pays enough for you to leave home and live on your own.

“To find yourself, think for yourself.”

-- Socrates

At what point should I report my ex for being frustrating?

And… who are you going to report your ex to, the “frustration” police? And, it’s your ex, so stop hanging around them. If they are already not welcomed around you, that isn’t just them being frustrating. Perhaps a restraining order is required.

What renewed your faith in humanity?

Every time I look into a child’s eyes, my faith is restored. I just wish their innocence could be maintained and not corrupted by society’s lack of moral ethics. This is our shared sin against humanity.

What memory holds a special place in your heart?

The memory of my wife. Even though she screwed me over and tried to destroy my life, I loved her enough to work for 20 years to try and save the marriage. Everyone thought I was an idiot, and they were probably right. I ended up hating her, then forgiving her, then accepting the apology I knew I was never going to get. But, I still cherish some of our early times together.

It has been said by many that a true love story has no happy ending simply because the truest of loves never ends. It is immortal. This is the kind of love that lives forever in your heart as a feeling you will always feel, a place you can always return to.

-- Michele L. Rivera

Can falling in love a second time be just as exciting as the first time?

Oh, hell yes! And the third time, and the fourth. If love can’t be exciting what’s the point of falling into it?

How important is having an idea or concept of what you want to be in the future as a student?

It’s important if you want to know what courses to take in order to fulfill the “concept” you have of your future. Your concept might change as you learn more, but the information you receive from those classes will probably be of benefit, regardless.

Is having mistresses a sin?

Certainly, but what fun!

“A wife who discomforts you with truth is better than a mistress who massages you with lies.”

― Matshona Dhliwayo

 

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.