Questions on Ambition, Plans, and Obstacles

 

“The greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it.”

-- Molière

Bill Bradley said, "Ambition is the path to success. Persistence is the vehicle you arrive in." Can you explain it in a couple of paragraphs?

Let's look at the definitions of both, first:

Ambition: “A strong desire to do or to achieve something, typically requiring determination and hard work.”

Persistence: “A firm or obstinate continuance in a course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition.”

So, ambition is the “strong desire” to achieve a goal, and persistence is the “determination and hard work,” the vehicle, so to speak, you need to get you to the goal.

How will I understand that my aim is going to be real in the future?

Better to understand that it may not be. Change is the only true constant in the universe, and you may find that t your “aim” changes as you grow. What is “real” today may not be what you desire tomorrow.

Understanding that change is real and, for the most part, unavoidable, will help us to accept reality and move forward on our new path with no regrets for all the knowledge we gleaned working toward the previous aim.

What is the meaning of the following quote, "Every sale has five basic obstacles: no need, no money, no hurry, no desire, no trust"?

It means if the customer has no money, they’re not in a hurry to buy, they have no desire to buy, and they don’t trust the salesman or the product, there will be no sale to the customer.  Basically, it means exactly what the quote says.

“Success is often achieved by those who don’t know that failure is inevitable.”

-- Coco Chanel

What process is considered a success by what is not found?

Cancer tests.

"Life is a teacher". What has life taught you?

That the period needs to be inside the quotation mark. But, more importantly, to strive for happiness at all times. If you aren’t truly happy in life, you aren’t truly successful in life. Parents don’t teach this to children, and I think it’s because they were, also, never taught.

What is the greatest obstacle to success?

Fear of failure.

“The tests we face in life's journey are not to reveal our weaknesses but to help us discover our inner strengths. We can only know how strong we are when we strive and thrive beyond the challenges we face.”

-- Kemi Sogunle

Why does my life steer to a better direction only when I completely abandon hope?

Hope is all we have left when everything else doesn’t work. Obviously, you’re doing something else right.

Is money the answer to all questions?

How true is the saying "money answers all things"? This is the original question, which really isn’t the same as the question I'm supposed to answer, so, no, money isn’t the answer to all things. If money is the answer to love, for instance, my recommendation would be to run from it.  True love cannot be bought, just as true happiness can't be bought.

Nor is money the answer to all questions. If you go to a doctor and tell him, “Instead of taking my blood pressure, I’ll give you ten bucks to write down your best guess.” If he takes the money, my recommendation would be to run from him while you're still healthy enough to do it.

Can one be neither hardworking nor lazy?

You can be working just enough to get by, which, in my book, is the same thing as being lazy.

"Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and never succeed."

-- Proverbs 12:24

What is your motivation in life for this coming year 2022 to change for the better?

Virginia just changed the political and educational climate in the United States.

What will you do with your life?

At 68 years of age, I plan on relaxing as much as possible and maybe I'll write my third novel.

If you were to motivate yourself in achieving your dreams and goals in life, what will you say to your own?

My “own” what?

“Can't you see that I'm only advising you to beg yourself not to be so dumb?”

-- Petronius

What if your goal in life is to put on new clothes and take pictures?

I’ve won an award in photography. I’m not sure why you’d have to put on new clothes to take pictures, but if it makes you exceedingly happy and you can make a living taking the pictures, go for it. My experience is that outdoor photography can ruin new clothes, though. Just saying.

Can someone live happily even if they don`t have any plans, dreams, goals, or ambitions in life?

If being on welfare makes you exceedingly happy, then go for it. Oh, but doing that would qualify as a plan, dream, goal, and ambition, so… I’m afraid you’ll just have to settle for striving to be happy always, in spite of yourself.

Does giving always result in receiving?

No, and if you’re giving selflessly you won’t be expecting to receive anything, either.

“To truly give is not to expect something in return of equal value. But, instead trust that your gifts may cause a butterfly effect, so that those receiving may one day do the same.”

-- Melissa Monique Brown

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