Questions of Success, Failure, and Attitude

 

“Attitude is a choice. Happiness is a choice. Optimism is a choice. Kindness is a choice. Giving is a choice. Respect is a choice. Whatever choice you make makes you. Choose wisely.”

-- Roy T. Bennett

 

What is your favorite personal speech of inspiration?

“Address at Rice University on the Nation's Space Effort, is a speech delivered by United States President John F. Kennedy about the effort to reach the Moon to a large crowd gathered at Rice Stadium in Houston, Texas, on September 12, 1962.” — Wikipedia, “We choose to go to the Moon”

In the end, it's all about a good attitude, is this a true statement? Ever met an intelligent, beautiful, strong, educated, rich good looking, etc with a bad attitude?

Yep, I sure have.  They have everything life has to offer except real happiness. They relied on everything they were to bring them happiness, but they never made the conscious choice to just be happy always. I’ve also known people with none of this who had a great attitude. Real happiness isn’t what you have, it is a choice we all must make for our life, regardless of our circumstances.

How do people figure out what to do with their life?

Live life. Living life helps you figure this out. What you do with life will probably change the more you live it. You can’t live it if you sit at home and vegetate. You have to get off your ass and live, work, be creative, help others, join the military, see the world, do things. The more you live, the more you’ll figure out. Begin now.

“The purpose of our lives is to be happy.”

-- Dalai Lama

How can we change and make ourselves better?

Always. Change, other than being the only constant in the universe, is just a simple choice. You choose to change. You choose to be better.

Why do politicians so frequently have sticky fingers?

Lately, they’ve been sitting around with their thumb up their ass, maybe they’re adding fingers to the mix. My girlfriend says this is offensive, and it is. Personally, I wish they do what they’re paid for.

What is the impact of peers, including early play, friendships, and the negative side of peer interactions (e.g., rejection and bullying) on development?

I grew up being bullied due to my size. I let it hold me back until I’d had enough and nearly beat a bully senseless. At that point, I started standing up for those who couldn’t stand for themselves. The bullying made me the ethical man I am today. I ended up in military intelligence and never looked back.

“Confidence is knowing who you are and not changing it a bit because of someone’s version of reality is not your reality.”

-- Shannon L. Alder

What do you hope the school will do for your child?

Teach reading, writing, history, and arithmetic. Teach facts, not indoctrination BS. Teach how to ask questions and research the answers. Teach the art of communication. Teach equality and not Critical Race Theory. Teach the Constitution. Teach patriotism, not socialism. Teach the real reasons why America is the greatest country in the world… before our leaders screwed up in Afghanistan, that is.

Why am I almost more afraid of success than failure?

Because failure will get you to success. It is, after all, the best way we learn. So, don’t fear failure. If you understand failure, you’ll understand how easy success can be when you utilize failure properly. And, if success is easy due to failure, why fear success?

Why do I feel like my life is boring and repeating?

Maybe it is. Try stepping out of your comfort zone, do new things, meet new people, try new food, join a club or a society. Volunteer. You know, stuff that isn’t boring and stuff you aren’t doing over and over again, right now.

“I believe my life has a value, and I don't want to waste it thinking about clothing.  I don't want to think about what I will wear in the morning. Truly, can you imagine anything more boring than fashion?”

-- Michael Crichton

How do you react when you run into a person who has hurt your feelings or harmed you? Do you act like you didn't see them or confront them head-on?

I greet them cordially. I’ve found that just treating them better than they expect seems to just piss them off. Or, maybe it’s the way I go about it.

“Good morning, Sam.”

“Aren’t you mad at me?”

“Oh, no. I’ve learned to sweep immaturity under the rug quickly so I don’t have to deal with it.”

Why were you so successful in life?

I loved everything I did, so I was constantly happy. Being happy in everything I did, made me want to do it very well. Spending two careers happily doing things very well has made me feel successful in life.  Even the 25-year marriage that went south was simply a long "learning experience" that has made me happier, yet.

Why do some people think they know me extremely well when they’ve only been around me a few small times?

If they really do, they have great intuition. If they really don’t, they’re just full of shit. I would worry about those that really don’t. The ones that do, however…

“The good news is that you may have created my past and screwed up my present, but you have no control over my future. You don't know me at all.”

-- David Klass

 

And... the short answers:

What do you have on your bucket list before you move on to the next life?

Happiness! Constant happiness!

What did your Sunday say to you?

Howdy!

What is the simplest thing I can do to help someone?

Care. Listen. Give them a hug, or a kind word. Be a friend.

If you dream a lot about your life goals, does that make the goals easier to achieve?

If your dreams are creative, yes. If they stress you out, probably not.

Do you believe in "If you can sell, you will never starve"?

Only if you can sell enough to never starve.

What are the biggest regrets people have later in life?

Smoking, and no children, retirement, exercise, diet, or happiness.

What can I do today to be happy tomorrow?

Make the conscious choice to strive to be happy always.

What does everyone really want in life?

Really want? Whether they know it, or not, true happiness.

Why don’t most people get what they want in life?

You can’t get “it” if you don’t know what “it” is?

We've been trying, but when are we going to do things better?

When we learn to get along.

“While many things have changed, some things haven’t changed enough.”

-- Gina Barreca

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