Questions on Destiny, Love, Feeling, and Success

 

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

-- William Shakespeare

 

Is there any such thing as destiny? Why do some people believe in destiny?

“Destiny” is nothing more than the inevitable consequence of the choices and decisions we make in life. Why don’t all people believe in destiny? Maybe they would make better choices and decisions. Maybe not.

What is the best lucid dreaming method?

Become aware that you’re dreaming and exercise some control over the dream. I find it exhilarating, albeit, short-lived. I need to work on staying-power.

How strong is your belief in what you believe?

Pretty damned strong. I have a personal moral code of ethics I strive to live by.

“If you don't stand for something you will fall for anything.”

-- Gordon A. Eadie

What do you do and do what you love?

Who do I do and what do I love? Everybody and everything! No… wait, I got that backward.

A lady had her first child outside wedlock but passed on during her second delivery, a set of twins. Because she wasn't legally married to her man before her demise, her parents took possession of her 3 kids as it is the tradition. What's your take?

If he’s confused, maybe he should have married her. If he doesn’t care, maybe it's for the best.

Why would my ex lie about making a new social media account?

He’s your “ex” for a reason?

“Can we go back to using Facebook for what it was originally for - looking up exes to see how fat they got?”

-- Bill Maher

How do I feel my thoughts?

I read this and thought, how do you not feel your thoughts? Thoughts, other than “rote” thoughts, turning right or left, opening the door, etc., I don’t feel are worth thinking about. Anything but rote action deserves our full attention and, occasionally, even turning on a light might need some extra thought if you “feel” someone is in the house who doesn’t belong. Feeling our thoughts can be very important to living life.

I feel my thought because I consider them. Not considering what you think can be the cause of a detrimental outcome.

How long can you live comfortably with what you have saved?

If Biden leaves office soon, a fairly long time.

How do I love myself and put positive energy within me daily?

Concentrate on loving yourself, the positive energy will be there for you. Love yourself because you are alright. You evidence this by the question you ask. Concentrate on what you do right, work on what you do poorly, and strive to be happy always and in all things.

“From this point forward, you don’t even know how to quit in life.”

-- Aaron Lauritsen

What is the difference between being committed to a project or being dedicated to it?

Hmmm… well, I’m fully obligated, committed, to seeing the project through to fruition, but I also have dedication, a single-minded loyalty, to the project that I believe is life-changing for society.

What are the crucial factors to make somebody successful in life?

True happiness and love for what you do.

What does it mean when you say something bad to her but she keeps on laughing?

She isn’t taking you seriously, she is but she really doesn’t care what you think, she cares what you think but she is in denial.

“If people would take me seriously, I’d never find out anything significant about them.”

-- Aleksandra Ninkovic

When did you consider yourself a success by your own opinion?

My opinion is the only one that has mattered since I left home and joined the military. I was never less than I wanted to be. At times I considered myself enough, other times I wanted to be more and worked to that end. My success, however, is that I always enjoyed my work. I was always happy and smiling, to the point that people would ask me how I could always be so damned happy. My answer was always that the alternative simply sucks. I have no room in my life for sadness or stress. Strive to be happy always and in everything you do.

How do you stay on purpose and not on the outcome?

Don’t be a leader. Leaders will ensure you stay on purpose. The leader’s responsibility is to focus on the outcome, which is why they keep everyone else working hard at the purpose. “Our purpose is to do everything we can to support our leaders so they arrive at the appropriate outcome.”

At the end of the day, do you feel that your life has been determined by fate and luck?

In the context that my “fate and luck” was the direct consequence of choices and decisions, that I made or refused to make, yes.

“There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be...”

-- John Lennon

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