Questioning Happiness and Success (ad nauseam)

To be silent is not to lose your tongue. On the contrary, it is only through silence that one can discover something new to talk about. One who talked incessantly, without stopping to look and listen, would repeat himself ad nauseam.

-- Alan Watts

 What is the ultimate between experience and wisdom?

It is hard to have good wisdom without experience. It isn’t one over the other, it is, rather, what we choose to do with them

Do little things matter?

Drop a penny at the top of the stairs. It’s just a penny, leave it. Who cares? Well, the 87-year-old woman who slipped on it and broke her neck during the fall, might. Just saying.

In what ways (both good and bad) has luck played in where you currently are in your life?

I never relied on luck to get me where I am. However, one can say that “luck” manifested in the people who saw my ability and offered me positions in which I excelled. Be the best you can be. Be humble in all things. Treat people as you would want to be treated. And, develop a moral code of ethics that people will respect. Luck? Send all this up the flagpole and let luck take its course.

“You know, Hobbes, some days even my lucky rocketship underpants don't help.”

-- Bill Watterson

If I'm a loser/failure in life, is suicide death better than living?

Only if you plan on living through all this shit, again. I’m always reminded of a cartoon I once saw, of a cat on the 12th story ledge of a building, contemplating suicide. A dog at the next window is w3atching and says, “I don’t think you’ve fully thought this through.” The point is, the cat has to jump 8 more times. But, then, we are here to learn these lessons.

What happens in life is usually the result of bad choices. The lessons we learn are to help us make better choices. This is why we don’t let others make decisions for us, control our lives, and take away our freedom of choice.

Waking up on this side of the dirt is always better than the alternative. Why? Because it is another gift of a day we can spend trying to excel in life. Will we fail? Probably, but failure is the lesson we are here to learn. Learn the lesson, critique where you went wrong in life, learn from the mistakes, and move forward.

Most importantly, we must always strive to be happy always, even in the face of adversity, even in the face of those who wish us to fail. Why? Because our success will be in just pissing them off, because of our undying happiness.

Maybe you should try changing your mindset. You aren’t a loser, nor are you a failure. Before you find yourself constantly on the 12th-floor ledge, maybe it’s time for a different choice. How about working to change your circumstance? It won’t be easy, but your success will be in that you keep trying.

How are you doing? Hope you're good

I am doing absolutely marvelous! Waking up was another gift of life, another day in paradise, to try and excel in life. How marvelous is that? I hope the best for you, today.

Can enlightenment make things seem devoid of meaning?

I can't see how. The very term would insist things be so much more meaningful.

“The mind once enlightened cannot again become dark.”

-- Thomas Paine

How does walking with values disintegrate fear from one's life?

There will always be a feeling of fear, but having a solid code of morally ethical values can mitigate that fear into virtual nonexistence. When you think about being honest, loyal, hard-working, tolerant, faithful/spiritual, etc., what can anyone do to you? I mean, really? As long as you abide by your personal code of ethics, they might fire you, lie on you, steal from you, kill you, but you, and all of those around you will always have the knowledge that, whatever happens, nothing can ever break you.

Why are good-looking guys still single?

Personality issues? “Love ’em and leave ‘em” attitude? Treats others like crap? Oh, that falls under “personality issues.”

If life was meant to be simple, should there be anything like religion?

No. Organized religion is organized for a purpose, usually not in the best interests of the parishioner. Everyone would be better off discovering morally ethical behavior and, then, developing their own sense of spirituality if they choose to do so. Or, you could just be perpetually offended at every little thing.

“Anyone who thinks sitting in church can make you a Christian must also think that sitting in a garage can make you a car.”

-- Garrison Keillor

Why is it hard to become successful financially?

If we’d stop equating “success” with money, it wouldn’t be so hard. Try being successful in happiness, for a change. Strive to be happy always!

What is a proven model for success?

True happiness! Why? Because, when you’ve attained true happiness you are very successful! 

Why do most people think there is a yardstick to success in life... or, is there?

There’s only a “yardstick” if you base your success on something other than true happiness. Better to strive to be truly happy always. Your goals will always be there… until they’re not. 

Aren't there different parameters for success in different places? Does success truly have no secrets at all?

Only if true happiness differs from place to place. Understand the “secret” yet, or do I have to underline it, as well?

“Try not to become a man of success. Rather become a man of value.”

-- Albert Einstein

And, the one-liners:


How do I get easy fast money in a day?

That probably depends on your gender, or your views on sin, or both.

How do I get easy fast money in a day?

That probably depends on your gender, or your views on sin, or both.

I lost my wife some years ago. It’s been tough. I just want a new life. What should I do?

Time to start dating, again.

Do you fancy someone? How does it feel?

At almost 70 years of age, I’m always in lust… because, it feels great!

Why would a married man buy things for a female coworker?

Jeeze… you got me.

What is the meaning of "channel your inner Elvis"?

Building your desire for doughnuts?

What are the berries to success? Is it luck or inefficiency?

I’ve never had “berries to success,” nor have I been inefficient, so, the “berries” must rely on luck.

What is the worst mixed drink you’ve ever had?

Do you want my opinion before or after I thew it up? 

How much time do you waste doing absurd things?

I’m retired, “Absurd” is my middle name.

The undertaker retired before I got what I thought I wanted the most in life and I failed due to the time constraint that I created and now I am going to be reborn as a black woman. What should I do?

Practice “cornrows” braiding.

What things seem manageable to achieve but are most unpredicted and difficult in adulthood?

Marriage!

“It is not a lack of love, but a lack of friendship that makes unhappy marriages.”

-- Friedrich Nietzsche

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