Questioning Value, Honesty, and Success

 

“It's discouraging to think how many people are shocked by honesty and how few by deceit.”

-- Noël Coward

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Note to my readers:  Well, I thought the week before last was outstanding with 8000 views of my answers, but I just got the stats for last week and it's climbed to 12,600 views.  I can't help but think I must be doing something right.  We'll see if it keeps up.

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How lucky have you been?

Extremely! I have made many choices, based on little or no information, that have turned out fine. If I were to find one turd in my life, it would be my 25-year marriage to a woman who never really wanted to be married to me. One little decision effed-up decision…

What would it take five years from now to feel good about where you are now?

Well, I’m almost 68, so, if my health holds out, I’ll still be thanking God for the gift of another day in paradise. Can’t do much better than being on this side of the dirt.

Why am I worth nothing?

I didn’t know we were bidding on you. I find it hard to believe you’re worth nothing. Everyone has value, even the least of us. More important to this discussion, however, is why you think you’re worth nothing. I’d be interested in hearing back from you on this point.

“Living your life through Gratitude, is not one of comparing how you are better than someone else; or Gratitude only for what you own or obtain or achieve. Living your life through Gratitude, is seeing that the world would be missing something very valuable if you were not in it.”

-- Sumner Davenport

How can we rely on the honor system when it comes to wearing masks in public?

Without violating the rights of the public and especially those members of the League of the Perpetually Offended, you can’t. Nor can you rely on the truth when asking if someone has been fully vaccinated. Death seems to mean so very little, one can only assume the USS Honest and Ethical Behavior sank months ago.

What makes a man happy the most?

I agree with all the previous answers, including happiness.

Note to my readers: Even though the previous answers were, for the most part, too "exotic" to print, I really found no fault with any of them. But, if I know in my heart that, given any of them, I'd have to include happiness in the mix and, pehaps, fulfillment. Just saying.

What does it take to form a good habit?

You have to have the desire. Then, you have to choose a good habit. Then, you have to take the time to make the habit habitual, which means you need to continuously exercise the habit. This last part is essential, for obvious reasons.

“Watch your thoughts, they become your words; watch your words, they become your actions; watch your actions, they become your habits; watch your habits, they become your character; watch your character, it becomes your destiny.”

-- Lao Tzu

Did you get sick of this world and its people? What do you hate about it?

Anybody who reads me or knows me would be disappointed if my answer weren’t the League of the Perpetually Offended. The world would be so much better off without having to deal with this bunch of malcontents. Why can’t we all just get along? The LPO.

Can traveling really give us a lot of insight?

Travel in poor countries and then come back here and you’ll never look at an American panhandler in the same light. They have no idea what it really means to have absolutely nothing. When a female leper in Turkey holds out their tin cup, begging for a few coins…

At what stage and level in life can one be considered a failure?

That is totally up to them. Nobody has the right to judge another’s life as a failure except the person in question. Happiness can make up for an awful lot of life’s speedbumps. If you haven’t accomplished much but you’re truly happy, you’ve accomplished much more than many of those around you.

“I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.”

-- Thomas A. Edison

Are teachers the future of mankind?

They used to be, back in the day. A few still have some potential if they can shake the current stigma that goes along with being part of a socialist teacher’s union.

Do you need to be profitable in the universe to be successful?

That depends on your personal definition of success. For me, if I’m happy, I’m already there.

Do you think Social Media has lost its appeal?

Yes, if I could find a non-biased site, color me there. When the League of the Perpetually Offended runs the social media sites, all is lost where truth, justice, and the American way are concerned.

“Most neuroses and some psychoses can be traced to the unnecessary and unhealthy habit of daily wallowing in the troubles and sins of five billion strangers.”

-- Robert A. Heinlein

Can you try to give me an existential crisis?

Why would I want to do this? All lives have meaning, purpose, and value. If you don’t believe this then the crisis you seek should be life itself. If you’re afraid your life will be forgotten, who did you live it for? Others, or for yourself? If you lived it for others, why? Was it selfless? And, if it was, why question the motive now?

An “existential crisis” isn’t hard to produce and, if well done, you will "end it all" for lack of anything to live for. But, why? Everyone, whether they recognize it or not, has a meaning, purpose, and a value their life offers to others.

What are you hopeful for?

I fought for 23 years to keep socialism and communism out of the country I love. I’m hopeful people wake up to the negativity so we can push it back and feel secure in our liberty once again.

Which is better, to be realistic or optimistic?

I love being optimistic, but I’m a realist. Optimism opens the door to possible disappointment you may not be prepared for. The reality is, things do go wrong. Reality allows you to hope for the best, but plan for the worst.

“If we define optimism broadly as the tendency to maintain a positive outlook, then realistic optimism is the tendency to maintain a positive outlook within the constraints of the available "measurable phenomena situated in the physical and social world" (DeGrandpre, 2000, p. 733). With respect to fuzzy meaning, realistic optimism involves enhancing and focusing on the favorable aspects of our experiences. Examples include being lenient in our evaluation of past events, actively appreciating the positive aspects of our current situation, and routinely emphasizing possible opportunities for the future. With respect to fuzzy knowledge, realistic optimism involves hoping, aspiring, and searching for positive experiences while acknowledging what we do not know and accepting what we cannot know.”

-- Sandra L. Schneider

And... the short answers are:

How can the lifestyle of young people today show that they have hope for a future?

Frugal and debt-free.

How do you describe bartending on a resume?

“Alcohol Refreshment Industry - Client Relations Professional”

What's something a bad teacher taught you?

The definition of a “bad teacher.”

How do you go from doing nothing to being very successful financially?

Oh, you found out how to work? Good for you! 

“The secret to wealth is simple: Find a way to do more for others than anyone else does. Become more valuable. Do more. Give more. Be more. Serve more.”

-- Tony Robbins

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