Questioning Failure, Employment, and Change

“Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They're not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can't do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.”

-- Rob Siltanen

 

Is the age of 45 late to find your favorite job?

No. I got out of the military after almost 23 years and started my civilian career for 17 more years. I enjoyed both jobs immensely.

What gives you hope during tough times?

Faith.

How can I keep myself giving the best effort?

“How can I put in the right effort?” This was the original question. I’m not sure who thought the new question was better. It makes little sense. If you keep yourself from giving your best effort, what’s the point of giving any effort? The statement supports counterproductivity, which is idiotic. Why don’t we just let the original question stand?

How can you put in the right effort? Don’t keep yourself from giving your best effort.

“When you love your work, you will be exceptionally diligent in what you do and you will excel in delivering both quality and quantity.”

-- Dr. Prem Jagyasi

What advice would you give to someone who is still at that stage in their life of planning and "reaching dreams"?

Plan well, and persevere through the difficulties. Good planning and perseverance are life skills that will serve you well. Also, recognize that failure is simply an opportunity to learn why you went wrong. Learn from it so you can mitigate it ever happening again. Finally, strive to be happy at all times and in all things, regardless of circumstances. Life moves on, and so should you. Smile, and seize the day!

What specific virtue a student must possess?

Fortitude!

What are your achievements in 2021?

I built my girlfriend a bookshelf unit, to her specifications, including a couple of pullout shelves for her jewelry boxes. Turned out great!

“Nothing in the world is worth having or worth doing unless it means effort, pain, difficulty… I have never in my life envied a human being who led an easy life. I have envied a great many people who led difficult lives and led them well.”

-- Theodore Roosevelt

What's something that a client has insisted on having that is literally impossible?

Control. Unfortunately, there are FDA regulations that prevent companies, universities, doctors, and such, from having total control over their studies involving human research subjects. There must be stringent oversight by the FDA or an Institutional Review Board. 

What change would make your hometown more appealing to people your age?

As I approach 70, I’d move it out of California, and lower the price of real estate and the detriment of insanely high taxes, and lower the cost of gasoline. Only very wealthy retirees can really afford California, but who would want to, given the leadership?

I may not know what I want to major in but I do know my true desires in life and what I want to accomplish.. is that good enough?

It is a marvelous starting point that many young people don’t really have, but it isn’t "good enough." Now you need to do the hard work and persevere through the “roadblocks” in order to reach your goal. Through all of this, you also need to strive to be happy always, or reaching your goal will really mean nothing to you. The misery and failure you experience is a test of your perseverance, and an opportunity to learn more about what you wish to accomplish.

“Men go to far greater lengths to avoid what they fear than to obtain what they desire.”

-- Dan Brown

How do I answer the “describe a time you experienced failure and how did you learn from it?” On applications. I can’t think of anything to write about other than my parents' divorce and learning to become independent, but that’s not really a failure.

I’m not sure this will help, but I always look at any failure as an opportunity to learn, to critique the failure as to why I failed, learn from why I went wrong and, either, try again or use the lesson to mitigate failure should a similar situation arise in the future. There is nothing wrong with failure as long as you learn from it and continue to press forward. There will always be failures, but it’s how we deal with failure that really counts in life and business.

At which point does age matter when it comes to succeeding or starting a career? I just failed university at 25 (though I gave my all) and it feels as if I am getting old and need to have achievements already.

Trade jobs can be a lifesaver. Many pay as much, or more, than having a university diploma. I understand that truck drivers are in high demand right now, and the pay is pretty good.

Do you think if you simply walked away from your job the world would keep turning?

The world would, but my world would experience a temporary tailspin until I found other gainful employment. I’m the first one to recommend striving for happiness, but not having a job waiting for you is a bit counterproductive to one’s lifestyle… and survival.

"This world is spinning without me. Every day sends future to past. Every breath leaves me one less to my last."

-- Dream Theater

Would you risk your life to save someone from a bad situation that you don’t know to try and be a hero?

Risking one’s life is the greatest gift one can give, and it should always be selfless. Never try to be a hero, but always try to do the right thing. Yes, I would, because doing anything less would run up against my personal code of ethics.

You must make a choice to take a chance or your life will never change. Are these the three basic "c" in life?

I’ve never thought about it, this way, but it is pretty good. You have to think out of the box and make the choice to stop being safe. By doing this, you take a chance. This chance may succeed or fail but, even in failure, you will be presented with an opportunity to learn. If you learn well, your choices will become better. But, even if they don’t, your life will change as a consequence.

I like it! 

What do they say about mediocrity?

“The only sin is mediocrity.” 

-- Martha Graham

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