Questioning Yourself

 

“There is no pre-mapped intellectual topology path leading to truth. Truth is a process of conducting a searching investigatory dialogue with oneself in an attempt to examine and discern the contents of a person’s own mind. Every person must ask himself or herself what is essential in life.”

-- Kilroy J. Oldster

What does the word deflecting in this quote mean: "You are not responsible for the emotional state of others. But you are responsible for how you treat them. Stop deflecting."?

In this case, “deflecting” is both clarifying and accusatory, and completely unnecessary unless you’re addressing someone incapable of understanding simplicity. I’d like to think most people would understand the quote, sans “Stop deflecting.” The quote is pretty clear without it.

What does being truthful mean to you?

Is this another one of those trick questions? Being “truthful” can only mean “being truthful.” For it to mean anything else would make someone not truthful or, more to the point, a liar. For someone to be defined as, for the most part, truthful. would mean, at times, they can lie and are untrustworthy. To say one is kind of truthful would be like saying that they are kind of pregnant, kind of a murderer, kind of a rapist, kind of honest, or kind of nice. Where does that leave you with forming a “kind” of an opinion of them?  They either are or not, right?

Do you believe in the passage, "Obedience brings blessing"? Why or why not?

The Jews obeyed the Nazis and were “blessed” with genocide on a scale never seen since. So, no, I don’t believe the passage to be always true.  It is situational and depends on who you beleive is brining you the blessing.

"Be careful what you tolerate. You are teaching people how to treat you."

-- Unknown

Do you think dedicated, self-motivated work ethics are inherent, or can they be learned (or taught)?

If you believe everyone sucking from the public teat of welfare would rather have “dedicated, self-motivated work ethics,” then they might be inherent. More than likely, though, the majority of capable people will have to be taught self-motivation and work ethics, after taking away the public teat they have been leeching off of.

Through a slogan, state how the knowledge of the communication process aids people in communicating effectively?

The slogan is kind of obvious. You have already stated the slogan you seek, and it holds for every task I can think of. “Knowledge of the process makes you more effective.” The more knowledge you have of any process, the more effective you become at it. There comes a point when you become knowledgeable enough to change the process, making it easier and even more effective.

What are the universal indications of wealth, whether you feel rich or not?

How happy I am, is the only indicator of my wealth. My happiness has much to do with true friends and family. Whether rich or poor, if I have true friends and family I am happy, and in my happiness I am rich.

“Remember that your real wealth can be measured not by what you have, but by what you are.”

-- Napoleon Hill

How often do you use excuses to lie to yourself?

I try it all the time, and I fail miserably. I end up laughing at my attempts to lie to myself. I haven’t learned the art of pulling the wool over my own eyes. Better to just be happy always and not give yourself a reason to lie.

How do you forgive yourself for starting late in life?

Look at yourself in the mirror and say, “You’re forgiven.” Now, stop wasting even more of your life and get on with it.

Can you give me some pictures that have a deep meaning? They can have text if you like.

We must never forget.  When you figure in all of the "undesireables, the Nazis also slaughtered, it is somewhere over eight million.  I think they also killed thirty million Russian citizens, as well.  All the numbers are well documented online.

“The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking.”

-- Albert Einstein

How would you feel if the whole world negatively judged your 'volume of memoirs' based on a paragraph from one chapter somewhere in the middle of the fourth book?

They’re my memoirs, not theirs. Oh, and how many of them put their lives out there for others to judge? No, I really could give a fig what they think of my life, and I really doubt it would take me four books, or more, to catalog it. I broke a few eggs and made a few omelets, added a few rashers of bacon and a buttered slice or two of Italian toast. Life has been an interesting diversion. Strive to be happy always!

What can I do to ease others into being willing to discuss their thoughts?

If you’re trying to “ease into” it, they’re probably going to know you’re trying to manipulate them. Better to just strike up a conversation and ask their opinion on stuff.

What is an example of wokeness?

Lookup a quote by Yuri Bezmenov (1939-1993), a former Soviet journalist and KGB informant. You might find it under “The Useful Idiots”:

“The useful idiots, the leftists who are idealistically believing in the beauty of the Soviet socialist or Communist or whatever system, when they get disillusioned, they become the worst enemies. That’s why my KGB instructors specifically made the point: never bother with leftists. Forget about these political prostitutes. Aim higher. They serve a purpose only at the stage of destabilization of a nation. For example, your leftists in the United States: all these professors and all these beautiful civil rights defenders. They are instrumental in the process of the subversion only to destabilize a nation. When their job is completed, they are not needed anymore. They know too much. Some of them, when they get disillusioned, when they see that Marxist-Leninists come to power—obviously they get offended—they think that they will come to power. That will never happen, of course. They will be lined up against the wall and shot.”

"Every day is a day to be grateful." Do you agree with that statement?

Wake up each and every morning and thank God for the gift of another glorious day in paradise and another chance to excel in this life. Strive to be happy always!

What happened to people using the adage, "I disagree with what you say, but will fight for your freedom to say it"? Why did both sides of the spectrum go all cancel culture?

They might have bought into socialism? I would advise people to look at what parts of the country have given up their rights of freedom to the federal government. Not all of the country is behind this, and more and more are becoming unenamored with what is happening. 

How does one remain open-minded and not become cynical?

Conscious effort, or ignorance. Cynicism is hard to overcome for those of us who look at things with a critical mind. It takes conscious effort to not be cynical. You also have to understand how good some people are at pulling the wool over the eyes of those who don’t pay attention, who don’t look at things critically, or who are ignorant of what is happening around them. You can be “open-minded” and still watch out for manipulation. Open-mindedness is not acceptance. For the critical thinker, open-mindedness can, and should, walk hand-in-hand with cynicism.

Author's comment:  This makes lots of sense, that by being aware of other's cruel nature one can once again be free within that secure awareness. Thanks!

“Life - the way it really is - is a battle not between good and bad, but between bad and worse”

-- Joseph Brodsky

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.