Questions of Success, Failure, and Character

 

“The best index to a person's character is how he treats people who can't do him any good, and how he treats people who can't fight back.”

-- Abigail Van Buren

What can you do today that you didn't think you could do a year ago?

Have 8000 people view my answers to these questions… in a week.

Are some people born to succeed?

I think they’re born with more of an innate ability to succeed, but whether they make use of that ability is their choice.

Why is it necessary to have a role model in our lives? Who is your role model?

It isn’t necessary. I’ve never considered anyone a true “role model” in my life, though I have been mentored by many that I admire. This mentoring was a necessity in understanding life. The problem with role models is the danger they will let you down.

“Being a role model is the most powerful form of educating...too often fathers neglect it because they get so caught up in making a living they forget to make a life.”

-- John Wooden

Some people get motivated by failure, while others get really discouraged. What, do you think, differed in the upbringing of these two types of people to make them so?

You answered it, their upbringing. I would look to the difference in parenting before anything else. Then, I’d probably look at the school system. I think young people fail because they aren’t taught how to learn from their failures. They’re taught failure is unacceptable, when failure is the best way to learn.

What is something that is weird about you?

I have an affinity for haunted places, the spirit world, and the paranormal in general. I actually chase down “shadow” people to try and see what they are. Big Foot… not so much.

How can one let failure stop them from pushing forward?

Don’t recognize failure as an opportunity to learn.

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

-- Thomas A. Edison

What could have caused the creation of life on Earth if it had nothing to do with religion or science?

Religion wasn’t around back then, but the science of what took place was, even if we’re still trying to learn about it. But, I wouldn’t be selling short the idea of an all-powerful, omnipotent, force behind that science. I always keep an open mind about believing those things for which we have little or no proof. The minute you make your opinion concrete, someone proves you wrong. But, I still have faith in possibilities.

Reader comment:  Is science something that has always existed?

My reply:  What we’ve based science on has, yes. Physics and such.

Reader reply: In the same way, hasn’t religion always existed?

My reply:  Religion: “the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods.” Who was around to believe and worship? Religion, faith, and the spiritual are the purview of the thinking creature.

What realistic expectations do you have?

I will fall into lust, again, within the week.

Which would you consider to be the most difficult parts of your character to maintain?

My mouth. It is in my character to say what’s on my mind. I try to control it but, to no avail. I get me into trouble all the time.

“Another flaw in the human character is that everybody wants to build and nobody wants to do maintenance.”

-- Kurt Vonnegut

Should I give up on my career and choose an easier one? I want to take the easy path and live an average life with no effort. I know I'm pathetic and a worthless person, but I just don't feel motivated to do anything (Sorry for my bad English, btw).

Life is all about making good choices. If you feel this would be the right choice for you, by all means, go for it. Nobody is truly a pathetic and worthless person, we simply have different paths to follow. When you start sucking from the public teat when you could be gainfully employed, you start to slide into your judgment. Do something, easy or hard, and help contribute to society. This is all anyone can ask. Oh, and as far as your bad English, I’ve seen so much worse on this site. Good luck!

Do dogs give us unexpected joy in this pandemic covid-19?

If you’re an “animal” person, definitely. I have found much joy in the dogs and cats around me, even when there is no pandemic.

How can I make everyone think I've become successful?

Become successful. There is no substitute that someone won’t see through, sooner or later. Now, define success. If I’m exceedingly happy always, I have attained success in my life. Everything that follows is just icing on the cake.

"Being fake in life is going to attract you fake reactions, fake crap, and fake friends. Just be real with yourself and others and things will be fine."

-- Derrick Robinson

Why do many people fail at all, job, family, and success?

Lack of understanding. They don’t simply sustain themselves, you actually have to work at all of them… constantly. Understanding this concept and, then, understanding each of them, are good first steps.

How do I know I’m in the right place at the right time?

Good befalls you. But, watch out for being in the wrong place at the right time. It usually isn’t good.

How can I thoroughly screw up my life?

Well, I got married to the wrong woman and stayed married to her for 25 years before I gave up trying to salvage it. I don’t recommend it. Better to be sure you’re both in love with each other, or you can end up losing everything, including children.

“That's what life's all about: little by little, day by day, with excruciating stubbornness, each of us learning how to be less screwed up.”

-- Dean Koontz

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