Questioning Life, Opportunity, Love, and Ethics

 

“If you hurt me, I wouldn't cry. I would hurt you back.”

-- Holly Black

How’s life treating you today?

I woke up, which is another gift. Any day on this side of the dirt is a great day. I thank God for another day in paradise and another chance to excel in life.

Regardless of your thoughts, perceptions, associations, work, emotions, memories, Who are you?

I am everything you just mentioned that I can’t reference. So, I am left with saying, very simply, I am me.

Author's comment:  So Is everybody.

My reply:  Bingo!  We have a winner. 

In your opinion, is life mostly good times, mostly bad times, or mostly both?

Life is what it is and, usually, what we make of it. Good or bad, our choices and decisions drive our lives. We try to deny blame for where we find ourselves, but it is usually us that brought us there. Better we should not look upon life as good or bad. We should embrace life, regardless, and strive to be happy in it at all times and in all things. If we see life as crap, it is simply another opportunity for us to learn why we went wrong. What did we do to bring us to that point? Critique the problem, solve it, and move forward.

“Instead of worrying about what you cannot control, shift your energy to what you can create.”

-- Roy T. Bennett

Is it true that obstacles are opportunities in disguise?

It is true, but they are only "disguised" because we refuse to see them for what they are, opportunities to learn and excel.

What is the best way to attain happiness?

There is no magic here. No difficulty but that which you bring to the table. Choose to be happy. Life is about making good choices and decisions. If you make bad ones, correct them. If you are in a bad circumstance, leave it for a better one. Life is your choice, so choose a good one and strive to be truly happy always and in all things, regardless of your circumstances.

I want to hurt women. Should I?

Sexually, you can find women who prefer it rough. They will let you know. But, to just hurt women, or anyone, for that matter, is simply wrong. It only satisfies a selfish desire on your part. Sooner or later you’ll run into a Lorena Bobbitt who will make you pay for your transgressions. Better you should treat everyone with respect… until they tell you not to.

“Don't worry about hurting me, if that's what you're afraid of. I want to get hurt. At least I´ll feel something for a change.”

-- Katie Kacvinsky

How can I change up my sissy life?

Make the conscious choice to do so. It is your life, and life is all about making choices for yourself. Choose to do so.

Does a person have to earn respect, or do all people deserve it?

Everyone deserves respect, but if they abuse that respect it is your choice to walk away from them or to continue to have your respect abused. I show everyone respect. If they abuse it, then they have to earn it back.

What is one thing, you would definitely tell your future self?

Uh… Nothing I wouldn’t already know?

"Once you're born, the worst has already happened."

-- Rudy Rucker

What is one thing everyone should be happy about?

Life? Without the daily gift of life, what’s the point of happiness? I am exceedingly happy every day I wake up on this side of the dirt.

Does true love need money?

If it does, how true can it be? 

Which person do you think should be given more merit than they have?

Why? A false sense of “merit” won’t do them any good. Better they should earn the merit they receive, otherwise, it’s simply a “participation” award. Woo hoo… you showed up.

"Reputation is an idle and most false imposition; oft got without merit, and lost without deserving."

-- William Shakespeare

What is the main concern of ethics?

Good ethics? I’d have to say, good moral behavior.

Is it possible to make God consider letting us live to be 1,000 again?

Make God consider? Yeah, let’s go with that.

Author comment:  Do you think it was nice to live to be that old? I can see it being both a punishment or a sigh of regret and God wanting us to feel bad about the curse. I would hope that we would be able to live that long again and show God how much we love him.

My reply: It would be nice to have the extra time to learn and excel. Maybe, one day, we will be gifted with the knowledge to make it happen.

What are the virtues of selfishness?

Virtues are behavior showing high moral standards. I see no virtue in selfishness.

"While selfishness joins hands with no one of the virtues, benevolence is allied to them all."

-- Oliver Goldsmith

What is the best advice you can give someone about to retire?

Find a part-time job, or volunteer, anything to keep yourself busy and involved in life. 

Is it easier to make money from a job that pays a lot per hour or an easy job that you can work as many hours as you want?

Well, you kind of answered your own question. It’s all ways easier with an easy job, especially if you can work as much as you want.

What is your poetic philosophy?

I wrote this, years ago:

"You think my love is like chalk,

That I can write it on

And erase it at will.

Well, you’re wrong.

I use crayons."

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