Questioning Feelings, Belief, and Life

What are some misconceptions around understanding "mutual feelings"?

The “misconception” is understanding.

A: “I love you.”

B: “I love you, too.”

A: “I want to have your children.”

B: “Wha… What?”

What we think is different than what we say, and what we say had better be specific to our feelings. "Mutual feelings" have a range of depth. Most start out in the shallow end of the pool, but everyone’s swimming ability differs.

Confidence comes from success. Success comes from experience. Experience comes from practice. Is this true?

Yep. That sounds about right. Practice comes from perseverance. Perseverance comes from a desire for success. Desire is caused by the hot little number down the street.

What's life like without a home?

After 23 years in the military, you learn that home is where you make it. Home is where you hang your hat. Embrace this concept and you will never be without a home.

“At the end of the day, it isn’t where I came from. Maybe home is somewhere I’m going and never have been before.”

-- Warsan Shire

How do you share your pleasure in teamwork?

Any “pleasure” derived depends on what “work” we’re discussing and who the “team” consists of. Once I know this, I’ll know how I’m willing to share that pleasure.

How do I grab the attention of the listener?

Yell, “HEY!” Now, the real problem is how to keep the attention you’ve grabbed.

Why am I here, in this world, and in this society? Is there a way out?

There is a thought that you exist to learn, If you learn from the tasks set before you in this realm, only then will you pass from this life to the next. If you don’t learn what you must, you will continue to relive this life until you do. In each realm, it is the same, until you reach the end.

“There comes a time when you look into the mirror and you realize that what you see is all that you will ever be. And then you accept it. Or you kill yourself. Or you stop looking in mirrors.”

-- J. Michael Straczynski

What is one simple thing about someone’s behavior that completely blows you away?

If they obviously lack a “moral code of ethical conduct” which defines their “self-respect” to those around them.

Why do some people feel as if they are being watched when they are not?

Who says they’re not? Unless you know this to be a fact, it is supposition. One should always assume “Big Brother” is always watching.

Reader comment:  Good answer.  I was gonna say the same thing(pretty much), but you beat me to it.

Am I wrong for being agnostic?

Better to be an agnostic, and simply question the existence of God than to outright deny the possibility of an “ultimate power” in the universe. At least you leave the door open to possibilities and definitions. It is never wrong to question because without questions there can be no answers. At the end of this life, unanswered questions will continue forward into your next life, and the next, until you find your answers. If you slam the door shut and lock it with denial, all is lost to you. At least, that’s my take on it.

“Who is more humble? The scientist who looks at the universe with an open mind and accepts whatever the universe has to teach us, or somebody who says everything in this book must be considered the literal truth and never mind the fallibility of all the human beings involved?”

-- Carl Sagan

Is it good to stay optimistic when everything says to be pessimistic?

There is always hope until there isn’t, and then there is always hope. Only you can choose to lose hope, but hope never loses you. It is what it is until it isn’t, and then it is what it is… again.

What do you want to manifest to make your life better?

“Polyamory” would be a thought.

Does religion cause more harm than good?

What has “organized” religion solved? The hungry are still hungry, the poor are still poor, the sinners still sin, and we’ve been at this for how long? The wall has rotted away, and the only thing we see is a delicate structure of plaster and paint with no foundation. We need to build a new wall from the ground up and stop throwing our prayers of paint and plaster at it.

“Anyone who thinks sitting in church can make you a Christian must also think that sitting in a garage can make you a car.”

-- Garrison Keillor

How does what we know about the literature of the world shape the way we view ourselves?

Good literature is written history. The characters provide us with the best and worst of human nature. Some are just passersby. But, all provide us with a template for our hopes and dreams. As a young boy, I wanted to be Agent 007, James Bond. As a young man, I went to work for military intelligence.

Do you often seek opportunities?

At almost 68 years of age, I let the opportunities come to me, and then I pick and choose, and ask, “How much?” 

What is the psychology behind telling people your unvarnished opinion whether negative or positive when enraged or pleased?

First of all, you should be willing to tell them your “unvarnished opinion” without being enraged or pleased. Tell them because they ask for your opinion. If they don’t ask for it, it’s because they don’t care, so get over yourself. An unvarnished opinion is simple blatant honesty, as you see it, and there’s never anything wrong with putting it out there when asked. Of course, you could be wrong, which is why I wouldn’t do it when enraged. It one thing to be wrong, and it’s another to be wrong and act like an ass.

“At its best there’s nothing like the church. A place where Matthew 25 is just a normal day—a place where the poor are fed and clothed, the sick are helped and healed, a place where the immigrant is welcomed, and the prisoner is given dignity. A place where everyone is saint and sinner. A place where a judge and a felon can sit side by side on the same pew with equal status in Christ. A place where we not only carry each other’s burdens, but when necessary carry each other, because, despite our vast differences in education and opportunity, opinions and politics, we are learning to love one another like Jesus loves us—unconditionally. This is the church I believe in. Lord Jesus, help us to behold the church as our mother. And help us to care for our mother, the church, in such a way that she can provide motherly love and care for her sons and daughters. Amen.”

-- Brian Zahnd

 

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