A Question of Temptation

 

“A silly idea is current that good people do not know what temptation means. This is an obvious lie. Only those who try to resist temptation know how strong it is... A man who gives in to temptation after five minutes simply does not know what it would have been like an hour later. That is why bad people, in one sense, know very little about badness. They have lived a sheltered life by always giving in.”

-- C.S. Lewis

Are there any other alternatives to going to a psych ward if I feel like I need to escape pressures in my life?

Look into meditation, yoga, and, especially, martial arts. These helped me early on in life and I still do it today. Take walks and learn how to breathe and relax your muscles. Focus on nature and not on the pressures of life. Pressure is simply drama, so find a way to get rid of all the drama in your life. There are support groups that city and county health services should be able to direct you toward.

Do you believe that if we have a millionaire’s mind we can change our lives?

Probably, if the millionaire worked to make the money or does right and good with their inheritance. The real question is, will you be truly happy as a millionaire? You will be happy, but will you be truly happy? Will you be selfless and humble or consumed with material desires? There are wealthy people, and then there are wealthy people, deserving of respect and the thanks of grateful people, who shun the limelight when they're thrust into it.

How would you change your life?

Is it true that one can resist anything except temptation?

Oh, no. The true test of an ability to stand firm on one’s “code of ethical conduct” is to defy temptation. Prisoners of war have endured much torture in order to deprive the enemy of information, instead of giving in to temptation. Temptation and I are old friends.

“I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it.”

-- Mae West

Do you think life would've been less adventurous if we don't strive and work hard for it?

So, you’re on welfare and live in the projects in, say Chicago. Do you think not working hard and striving for better circumstances will make leaving your apartment any less adventurous? Every morning when you wake up is the beginning of another adventure or the continuation of one already in progress. What kind of adventure you have, however, is a conscious choice you must make. You can strive to make your circumstances better, or you can learn to dodge, duck, weave, and run away. Life is always predicated on a choice you make.

Is it okay to have big dreams and high expectations?

Definitely! The world turns on “big dreams and high expectations.” Bringing either to fruition takes a buttload of work, however. But, for those who are up to the challenge of those dreams and expectations, the rewards can be well worth it.  Never let anyone dissuade you from thinking big.

When did you decide that you were enough and didn't need to change?

Just about the age of 50. My divorce had been final for a couple of years, and I finally came to grips with the fact that I had a hand in the failure by trying to keep it together, but the ultimate failure had been her plan for 25 years if just to get her hands on my military retirement. She just had to find an “out.” She finally found him. I was dating people we both knew, and they were very confused about why she did it. I decided I was enough and didn’t need to change anything, according to my dates, but marriage. I swore off of it and never looked back.

“Your world needs you right now; don't take your life. You matter, you are enough, and you are more.”

-- Olawale Daniel

"I think therefore I am", what if someone created that thought for you?

It is what it is. I do, therefore I must be. I love it. Rene Descartes, “Cogito, ergo sum.” I have discussed this in many of my writings.

How do you go about appreciating your trip in life and not the final goal you are aiming for?

How do you appreciate where you’ve never been? The bus will take you there, so sit back and enjoy the journey. There are quite a few interesting stops before the final station.

Can I be successful in my life with a dark worldview? I'm not hopeless, but I think the world is a cruel place and I have a pessimistic view.

You’re not totally wrong, but the world is what it is and has been, for quite some time. The world is a classroom in which we, the students, must learn the lessons of life. You can approach class with a pessimistic view, or you can approach the class as an opportunity to learn, which is why you’re here. You should ask yourself if a student with a poor attitude can do well in class. How well do you think the other students who take the class, recognizing it for the learning opportunity it is, will do?

Learn your lessons and, while you do this, remember that the classes are “pass or fail” because failure is simply another opportunity to learn. If you fail, critique what you did and try again until you get it right.

You are here for the duration, so you might as well smile and have some fun. Learn to be the light for others to follow and not the sourpuss in the corner, sulking. While here, strive to be happy always. Learning to be happy in the face of adversity is a test in itself. 

Best of luck! 

“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorns have roses.”

-- Alphonse Karr

How do I know if I’m wrong about something even if I and a lot of other people don’t realize it?

It’s what’s called the “Aha!” moment. You suddenly realize you, and everyone around you, are idiots. The simplicity of what you thought you knew slaps you in the face like a wronged woman.

Should you wait for something that might be the greatest decision of your life or just let it go because there's no assurance that you'll have it?

Live life. The “greatest decision” of this life will come for you when you least expect it, in this life or in the next. 

What makes life more important?

Children. Children are our future. Children are the most important aspect of us. To violate a child, abuse a child in any way, is an offense to mankind. For the deist, it is an offense to God.

“Abuse manipulates and twists a child’s natural sense of trust and love. Her innocent feelings are belittled or mocked and she learns to ignore her feelings. She can’t afford to feel the full range of feelings in her body while she’s being abused—pain, outrage, hate, vengeance, confusion, arousal. So she short-circuits them and goes numb. For many children, any expression of feelings, even a single tear, is cause for more severe abuse. Again, the only recourse is to shut down. Feelings go underground.”

-- Laura Davis

And... the short answers:

Apart from an anniversary or birthday, what is the biggest thing your partner forgot? What happened?

Birth control. Oops!

Why do we have different beliefs in God?

Same God, but the same humans, as well.

If you are to change one thing about yourself, what will it be?

An insatiablly perverse sexual appetite, or a washboard stomach.

What is the most beautiful thing you have seen in your life?

My daughter when she was born.

What is the secret of the success of Indians so that they can occupy top positions in many giant technology companies such as Google, Microsoft, and others?

Education. Check their Grade Point Average.

What is an assumption that you had that proved to be completely true?

I’m okay.

When you get on in years and realize that you will not accomplish many of your goals, what will you do?

Relax. There’s always next life.

"Einstein was a man who could ask immensely simple questions. And what his work showed is that when the answers are simple too, then you can hear God thinking."

-- Author: Jacob Bronowski

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.

Feel free to contact Pastor Tony:  tolerantpastor@gmail.com