Questioning Needs, Wants, and Such

“We all spend so much time not saying what we want, because we know we can't have it. And because it sounds ungracious, or ungrateful, or disloyal, or childish, or banal. Or because we're so desperate to pretend that things are OK, really, that confessing to ourselves they're not looks like a bad move. Go on, say what you want. ... Whatever it is, say it to yourself. The truth will set you free. Either that or it'll get you a punch in the nose. Surviving in whatever life you're living means lying, and lying corrodes the soul, so take a break from the lies for just one minute.”

-- Nick Hornby

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Note to my readers:  Well, I seem to have broken another personal record, without trying.  From the end of August 2021 to September 2021, my answers have been read 32,100 times.  As humble as I am, I have to admit that this made my morning.

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How do we get all of the things that we need and some of the things that we want?

Work.  Pay for all of the things you need. Whatever money you have left, get some of the things you want. A big proviso, though… don’t ever go into debt for those things you want. Debt is reserved for keeping you alive.

Are you willing to put your career on the line and uphold your moral compass? Or would you rather look the other way? What can you do?

I always have, and I always will stand for my ethical beliefs. To look the other way defines the kind of person you are, and I’ve never been able to look the other way when I have an opportunity to get knee-deep in it.

Is it possible to lead a richer life with less consumerism?

If you believe in material things, probably not. But, for those of us that believe happiness is the key to a rich life, most definitely. Money cannot buy true happiness. A person’s wealth should be about family, friends, and holding to ethical and spiritual beliefs.

“We have to create culture, don't watch TV, don't read magazines, don't even listen to NPR. Create your own roadshow. The nexus of space and time where you are now is the most immediate sector of your universe, and if you're worrying about Michael Jackson or Bill Clinton or somebody else, then you are disempowered, you're giving it all away to icons, icons which are maintained by an electronic media so that you want to dress like X or have lips like Y. This is shit-brained, this kind of thinking. That is all cultural diversion, and what is real is you and your friends and your associations, your highs, your orgasms, your hopes, your plans, your fears. And we are told 'no', we're unimportant, we're peripheral. 'Get a degree, get a job, get a this, get a that.' And then you're a player, you don't want to even play in that game. You want to reclaim your mind and get it out of the hands of the cultural engineers who want to turn you into a half-baked moron consuming all this trash that's being manufactured out of the bones of a dying world.”

-- Terence McKenna

What are some examples of the statement, “history is not always what it seems”?

Oh, my goodness! Most teachers haven’t taught real history in ages. They teach what they’re told, as the political winds blow, and that is just bad teaching. Examples? Critical Race Theory, Black Lives Matter, Antifa, teacher’s unions, and any other group or belief that seeks to change, rewrite, or flat-out forget our history, are suspect.

Would you want to be good at a lot of things or great at one thing?

I would love to be very good at just one thing, but being good at several has served me very well. I am the quintessential, “good at many, master of none.”

What do you like and don't like about going into deep thought?

I find myself standing at the edge of the abyss, looking out into infinity. I could stand there for hours, but I have many other things to do in this life before I can contemplate infinity that deeply for as long as I’d like. I usually end up staring into the abyss until it stares back, and then I smile and return to reality. Life still needs to be lived.

“When a poet digs himself into a hole, he doesn't climb out. He digs deeper, enjoys the scenery, and comes out the other side enlightened.”

-- Criss Jami

What is the miracle you have experienced from God? How do you know that it's from God?

All miracles are the purview of God. It is a matter of faith.

I was privileged to have a “clown” minister who, the first week on the job at the medical center, gave a child a fabric rose and told her she could have it if she would give it to her mother and tell her she loved her. The girl never said a word, but smiled, and skipped over to her mother with the rose. She went about her rounds. When she returned to reception, a receptionist informed her that the little girl had done what she said. The receptionist said it was a miracle because the girl is autistic and has never told her mother that she loved her until that day. A cry-fest ensued.

Have you ever felt like a stranger was watching you?

All the time… and I wish she would quit it. 

Am I unhappy, or am I just ugly?

You can be one or the other, both, or neither. It is entirely up to you.

Personally, I strive to be happy always, because the alternative simply sucks. And, as far as looks, I freely admit I’m not the most handsome guy. I’ve been told, however, that I have a very attractive personality. This is good since I can do nothing about being more handsome, but I can definitely remain attractive to the ladies.

What we are on the outside has very little to what real people see on the inside. I like to hang around real people who see you for who you are and not judge the book by the cover. Treat others the way you wish to be treated and strive to be happy always. This has served me well.

“If you think something is ugly, look harder. Ugliness is just a failure of seeing.”

-- Matt Haig

Does the world corrupt people, or do people corrupt the world?

People make choices for their lives, therefore, people allow the world to corrupt them. But, the world, the people at large, must have been corrupted, to begin with, by something evil, and the battle rages on.

What is the best advice that you have heard?

Stay out of debt!

Why are we usually more inclined to do good to others when we are happy?

I think so. Selfishly, we’re more inclined to take care of ourselves when we’re sad, which is a good thing. You can’t really take care of others until you take care of yourself. Healing you is the one time when selfishness is excusable. Does the world corrupt people, or do people corrupt the world?

People make choices for their lives, therefore, people allow the world to corrupt them. But, the world, the people at large, must have been corrupted, to begin with, by something evil, and the battle rages on.

“As the sun does not wait for prayers and incantations tob e induced to rise, but immediately shines and is saluted by all, so do you also not wait for clappings of hands and shouts of praise tob e induced to do good, but be a doer of good voluntarily and you will be beloved as much as the sun.”

-- Epictetus

What does it mean to have mixed feelings about a man?

That would depend on what mix of feelings is being felt.

Do you consider yourself to be a disciple of Christ?

When we look at the definition, “a personal follower of Jesus during his life, especially one of the twelve Apostles.” or “a follower or student of a teacher, leader, or philosopher,” I would fall into the second category because obviously, I am not a follower of Christ during His life… unless I’m an immortal.  I am not an immortal.

What is the ultimate user of a good or service?

I would say, the "what" is a "who" and the "who" is a customer or a client.

"People do not buy goods and services. They buy relations, stories, and magic."

-- Seth Godin

 

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