More Questioning Communication

 

“Wisdom cannot be imparted. Wisdom that a wise man attempts to impart always sounds like foolishness to someone else ... Knowledge can be communicated, but not wisdom. One can find it, live it, do wonders through it, but one cannot communicate and teach it.”

-- Hermann Hesse

What makes you trust what you read or see online? Is it possible that a lot of information is taken out of context?

After almost 23 years with military intelligence, I trust nothing I read, see, or hear online or in any rag that proclaims they’re “journalists.” When the information is true, which is a rare treat, it seems to always be out of context so they can put their “spin” on it. I wish people would stop quoting Martin Luther King, Jr. out of context. It’s easy to tell when they do because Dr. King would not have said what they claim. I have no use for most news agencies, as they seldom tell me anything I can trust. I need to verify what I get and then verify it several more times. I tend to trust the Christian Science Monitor more than most other news agencies.

What motivates Joe Biden?

Congress.  He is President "pro tem" until Congress can figure out how to put their real choice in his place.  Until that happens, he simply parrots what Congress wants him to say.

Is it entirely true that whoever reads so much doesn't run short of the right words to use in any given situation?

Not entirely. It depends on whether the reader can retain the right words or not, and can bring them to the forefront in any given situation. Most of us can’t come up with a multi-syllable word, on the spur of the moment, to make us sound more intelligent than we are smart.

“It is what you read when you don't have to that determines what you will be when you can't help it.”

-- Oscar Wilde

Why is it important to understand the meaning of, ‘I can do all things but all things aren’t good for me to do.’? What does this tell you about one’s character?

A person with attention deficit disorder can jump from an airplane, but will he be focused on pulling the ripcord? I can make love to a variety of women, but it wouldn’t be good for me to be caught with a woman married to a WWF wrestler. I can eat several platters of raw oysters. I can regurgitate those same several platters of raw oysters… in a couple of ways. Even though you can do a thing, doesn’t mean you have to or should.

I am 25 years old. What will I be able to know about life when I turn 40 that I don't know now?

Whether you married the right person, were mature enough to be a parent, are working the right job, whether eating all that pizza over 15 years was worth what you look like, and whether your stock portfolio sucks, just to name a few I’m familiar with.

Why is it wrong to feel sorry for someone or yourself? What is there behind that feeling that makes it wrong? How is compassion different from feeling sorry?

I have no problem feeling sorry for someone’s else's loss. This is compassion. I don’t give them the same courtesy, however, if their loss was due to their own stupidity. Compassion just isn’t going to make them smarter, or prevent them from doing it again.  I certainly don’t feel sorry for my own losses. I was sorry my dad died, but not for myself. I was sorry for him. If a loss is due to my own stupidity, well… I’m my own worst critic. I will berate myself, critique why it happened, and try to ensure it doesn’t happen again. Compassion won’t help here, either, and feeling sorry about it accomplishes nothing.

“Would 'sorry' have made any difference? Does it ever? It's just a word. One word against a thousand actions.”

― Sarah Ockler

I can only think deeply when writing. Otherwise, I don't hear my thoughts. Why is that?

Focus. If you meditate you’ll probably also be able to hear your thoughts. I can’t do anything well if music is playing or there is any other distraction. I really have to focus on my art, writing, reading, construction, yard work, or cooking. If I don’t, I either have to go back and reread what I read or wrote, I’ll cut a board the wrong length, or forget a portion of the yard or an ingredient in the recipe.

How do you attract people to answer your Quora question?

Ask the right questions, and ensure they are clear and concise. It is difficult to answer a paragraph-long question within a question, within a question, especially when the question doesn’t make sense, to begin with.

Do you think it is a bad thing to say "I'm doing the best I can"?

If you say it to your boss, you risk your job. You can always do better, but at what cost? Is that cost worth the toll it might take on you? Life is all about making the right choices. If you’re doing your best but people expect more, maybe there’s another choice you need to make, instead of excuses.

“Your best will never be good enough, to the ones constantly searching for your flaws. But for you to be the best, you need to ignore your flaws and do your best.”

-- Gift Gugu Mona

Have you ever heard an inner voice and it instructed you to act in a way that saved your life? What is that voice?

Good sense.

What is the importance of intercultural awareness?

In the military, we learned this so we didn’t insult our guests or our hosts. I think it has to do more with understanding than tolerance or acceptance.

Would you rather have to always say what you were thinking about or be unable to speak ever again?

Neither one of those choices is acceptable. It is my freedom of choice to say what I think, just as it’s my “God-given” freedom to speak, at all.

“Whatever happened to creativity? Whatever happened to the passion? Whatever happened to speaking one's mind? I'll tell you what happened. The kids aged, but never grew up. A baby can whine if it does not like something because it doesn't know better. What's your excuse? Stop getting offended whenever the wind blows your hair the wrong way! We will get nowhere if we continue to avoid truths to avoid offense. Speak your mind and do not be afraid of stepping on toes. The truth can be ugly, and that's what makes it so beautiful. Speak your mind, but don't take this as a chance to lose respect either. Always keep respect. If someone then still claims to be offended, it is not because of you, nor is it your fault. They simply don't like the taste of the bittersweet truth.”

-- Caitlyn Paige

Is conflict in life compulsory?

No, it is the drama that I try to keep at arm’s length. It interferes with striving to be happy always.

What is a compliment to yourself for something you accomplished recently?

Good job! I put together a digital smoker with 700 square inch grill capacity… and it works.

How do I stop being indebted to people?

Stop accepting their favors. Stop asking for their help. Debt can be crushing, and we should try to stay out of it. The real problem is guilt, as you probably feel like you need to do something to thank them. So, when they need help you step up. The real problem here, though, is selflessness, on their part. They shouldn’t be expecting anything in return for helping you. We should help each other because it is the right thing to do. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.  I always warn people, "Who is in your wallet?"  Even though debt hits us in more ways than just money, the warning is still applicable - be careful of who you owe what to.

“The number one danger of debt is that it put someone else besides God as master of your life. Just as slavery can dehumanize our dignity, so debt can have a debilitating effect on our spiritual, emotional and relational lives.”

-- Gary Rohrmayer

 

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.