Questioning the Usual... Again

 “Life is similar to a bus ride.

The journey begins when we board the bus.

We meet people along our way of which some are strangers, some friends and some strangers yet to be friends.

There are stops at intervals and people board in.

At times some of these people make their presence felt, leave an impact through their grace and beauty on us fellow passengers while on other occasions they remain indifferent.

But then it is important for some people to make an exit, to get down and walk the paths they were destined to because if people always made an entrance and never left either for the better or worse, then we would feel suffocated and confused like those people in the bus, the purpose of the journey would lose its essence and the journey altogether would neither be worthwhile nor smooth.”

-- Chirag Tulsiani

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Note to my readers:  I'm holding steady.  I've been read 6,070 times in the past week.  Here comes that cup of coffee!

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What is the foundation of truth based on?

Honesty, which is an edict of, good and moral, ethics.

Is altruism a toxic trait?

If you take “the belief in or practice of disinterested and selfless concern for the well-being of others” and put it before your own well-being, then yes, it can be toxic. It is hard to take care of others if you are falling apart. Put your oxygen mask on first, before assisting the passenger next to you.

Will hustling harder help you with the big problems in life?

That depends on if you’re “hustling” the big problems in life, otherwise, it's a crapshoot Better to get a handle on problems before they become the big problems. Or, just make better choices and fewer problems will crop up to bother you.

“We can not solve our problems with the same level of thinking that created them”

-- Albert Einstein

Are opinions optional?

It is your choice to offer one, or not. It is your choice to ask for one, or not. It is, also, your choice to accept one, or not. So, yes, they’re optional.

Why can't non-acceptance make you achieve what you want?

Why wouldn’t it? If somebody doesn’t accept what I’m working toward, that’s their problem, not mine. My problem is to succeed. What other people think is of little concern, unless they're helping me by being constructive.

How can a dutiful person achieve her academic goals?

Look upon achieving your goals as just more duties, these for yourself, then be dutiful about them.

“Responsibility and duty are different things, you can sacrifice your responsibility for your duty but you cannot sacrifice your duty for your responsibility.”

-- Amit Kalantri

What is an experience that caused you to change your perspective and/or opinion?

I was all set to vote for the first black President, and then Obama opened his mouth.

What is a simple question that you can overcomplicate?

Asking me if I’d like to engage in meaningless sex always worked.

If you could have a limited supply of one thing only, what would you choose?

Bullshit. There is way too much of it. If I run out, I can always find some, so why keep a lot on hand. A limited supply will do.

"Minds are in limited supply, and each mind has a limited capacity for memes, and hence there is considerable competition among memes for entry in as many minds as possible."

-- Daniel Dennett

What are the values needed in life?

A Moral Code of Ethics. All the values you need all in one place.

What causes one to say: "Choice is overrated?"

Socialism.

What’s an opportunity you missed that could have changed your life forever?

Joy, a friend of mine in high school. Woulda, coulda, shoulda.

“That was the missed moment. I should have put out a hand and taken her arm and said, "Here I am. Ask me. Now. The real question! Tell me. While I'm here. Ask me before it's too late.”

-- J.L. Carr

Is it true that successful people were once a failure before?

I think most have failed before, learned from their failure, and forged ahead. Failure is the best way to learn.

Do you really agree with "No one deserves anything"?

No. Hitler deserved everything the Allies threw at him. There is a special place in hell for guys like him.

What is the place of praise and worship?

Where are you? That would be it. If you want to go to a “church” then open the door and go outside into God’s cathedral. If you need to talk to God, too late, God already knows. Can you tell that “organized” religion and I have issues? Better to just do the right thing and let everything else fall where it will. Strive to be happy always, and then share it.

“I've always wondered how much can you do for your fellow man if your hands are constantly stuck together in Prayers for them?”

-- Stanley Victor Paskavich

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