Questioning Destiny, Ruin, and the Future

“It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves.”

-- William Shakespeare

Why do we often feel so unaccomplished after attaining a goal?

Because we need to separate true happiness from goal-reaching. Some people love to attain goals, but the goals don’t necessarily make them happy. Happiness is a choice each of us must make for our life, regardless of what we do or accomplish. We should be happy in the journey we take to get there, and then be happy in the next journey we plan to take. We need to learn the real “success” involved with striving to be happy always.

How will you know that you are on the track of your destiny?

It is what it is until it isn’t, and then it is what it is… again. You are always on the track of your destiny. But, change being the only true constant in the universe, your destiny can change from moment to moment. If you fart wrong, destiny can change. Such is life.

Philosophers, scholars, and artists across the ages have written about how to achieve a happy life. What are your personal secrets that you're willing to share?

There is no “secret” to a truly happy life. Make the conscious choice to be truly happy. If there is a secret, it is in being truly happy regardless of your consequences. If you can’t find a reason to be truly happy in life, even when things are poor, how will you be truly happy when things are rich?

Happiness is a state of mind you must always cherish, not just when it’s convenient. You are what you think you are, so make sure you think you’re better than others see you.

Strive to be happy at all times and in all things, even failure. Failure is nothing more than an opportunity to learn, and how great is that?

“Rules for happiness: something to do, someone to love, something to hope for.”

-- Immanuel Kant

What does intellectual humility look like?

Eating crow. Having to admit that your intellectual superiority was just called into question by someone smarter, albeit less intelligent. I find this questionable intelligence most often with the League of the Perpetually Offended. If you give them enough rope…

Do you look forward to tomorrow?

Always! It is the gift of another day in paradise and another chance to excel in life! Why would one not revel in this? The alternative to this “gift” simply sucks.

What is your life motto?

Strive to be happy always, because the alternative simply sucks.

“Success depends on your attitude; happiness depends on your gratitude.”

-- Debasish Mridha

Why do many good people live a life of chaos?

Lack of control.

Do you agree with the idea that important decisions you made today will affect your future? Why or why not?

A question more people need to ask themselves. Yes, every choice and decision we make has an effect on our future. More importantly, it will probably affect the future of other people, as well. We all need to think before we act or open our pie hole. We all know people who have the right to shut up and rarely make use of it.

Note to my readers:  I can be a smart ass, yes, I don't deny it.  However, I want you to read an answer, to the above question, that I found deplorable.  Do they think they are above the poor soul asking an honest question?  Pay attention to grammar, punctuation, and any other faults you find, including the comparison used.  This is the kind of crap I expect to read from the League of the Perpetually Offended.  Oh, and note that my answer came immediately after this one.  "obviously yes that’s a stupid question. it’s like asking “if you kill yourself today will you still be dead tmrw” the answer is undoubtedly, undeniably, very clearly and simply yes."

What is something you should never pass up when shopping in a thrift store?

Original art that has great value. I picked up a “poster” in a plastic poster frame and paid $10 for it. I noticed it wasn’t a poster at all, just in a poster frame. It was an original “artist proof” print. I took it home and looked it up online to find it was worth $1,200. One ignorant person’s crap, or mistake, can actually be another person’s treasure.

"Shopping is a woman thing. It's a contact sport like football. Women enjoy the scrimmage, the noisy crowds, the danger of being trampled to death, and the ecstasy of the purchase."

-- Erma Bombeck

What is to be done to see our future as a vision of hope?

Happiness is about all one can truly hope for and, because true happiness is a simple mindset, a choice, it is easy to attain, at the moment, and bring with you into the future. Strive to be happy always. Be the “light” and others might follow your example.

How do you obtain long-term motivation?

I strive to be happy in everything I do and only do those things I want to do, like work. Happiness breeds motivation. It also helps to have a “long-term” goal, like retirement.

How do you not allow others to define you?

I define myself. I’m the only one who has the right. I try to hold to a personal code of ethics, and this is what defines who I am, and what I’m about. Others can “define” me if they want, I don’t really pay that much attention. But, if they choose to, it says more about them than of me.

“Strong people define themselves; weak people allow others to define them.”

-- Ken Poirot

Do you believe that those who successfully live double lives have to become somewhat ruthless to achieve that?

No.

What were the signs of the upcoming final countdown in your life that it was time to start to let go and stop fighting for the love that was not meant to be either in the present time or nearest future?

My ex-wife’s behavior and the anger it caused in me. It culminated in the only time I ever felt real hatred for someone. I learned to let the hatred go, forgive us both, accept the apology she was never going to offer, and move on down the road.

What is one thing that would ruin your life?

Another marriage.

“Falling into ruin was a bit like falling in love: Both descents stripped you bare and left you as you were at your core. And both endings are equally painful.”

-- J.R. Ward

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