Questioning Motivation, Mistakes, and Timing

 

“Patience is power.  

Patience is not an absence of action;

rather it is "timing"

it waits on the right time to act,

for the right principles

and in the right way.”

― Fulton J. Sheen

Should I delete myself from the world?

What a tragic waste of life. Does anyone find value in simply knowing you? If so, what a tragic loss for them. Every morning you wake up is another gift from God and another chance to excel in life. Revel in it.

What happens if someone gets fired from the last chance job ever?

If they’re okay with that, then the welfare rolls go up by one. What they should do, however, is ask themselves why they allowed it to happen. What was it they did, or didn’t do, that caused this circumstance? When they come up with their answer, maybe they should try to correct it.

Do you agree that persons are the only ones able to change the direction of their lives and which path to take?

It is, after all, their life. To let anyone else change their direction is surrendering their freedom, their right to choose for themselves. No one can live their life for them.

“No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path.”

-- Buddha

Have you known that negative people disregard you?

Oh, my goodness, yes! Negative people and the League of the Perpetually Offended, all have no use for me. Negative people don’t want to hear positivity, and the League doesn’t even read what I write before going on a tear. This makes them look ignorant, especially when they end up supporting my point before they finish. I should, probably, be bothered by this, but I’m just too busy to waste time on them. Strive to be truly happy always!

Should you pick up something for free even though it's very far from your house?

I’m going to, probably wrongly, assume that you don’t mean you’re not going to charge anyone for picking the item up. This is something that’s free. Will you pay for it in the cost of gas it takes to go there? Is it something you really need that makes it worth the trip? But, if you are picking it up for free, no. Just no. Whoever wants it should be paying for gas.

How do I cope with getting my first B in my clinical psychology doctoral program? I know I shouldn’t base my worth on this but the feelings of worthless mess feel so real.

So, you thought a doctoral program was going to be easy? Those Ph.D. awards are not handed out like candy. You got yourself a B, so get over it and study harder. They’re trying to separate the wheat from the chaff, so you’d better decide which you are.

“Never confuse education with intelligence, you can have a Ph.D. and still be an idiot.”

-- Richard P. Feynman 

What does it mean to you to love yourself a little more today than yesterday? What would you have to do to try to make this a reality?

I would look silly French kissing a mirror, so I guess I’d have to really impress myself by doing an extra something selfless. I have a real hard time hating myself, so making this a reality is pretty simple, as it should be for all of us.

Do you agree with the saying " Not everyone is good at everything, but everyone is good at someting?

Pretty much. You’d have to be in a coma to not be good at anything, but, even then, you’re good at being in a coma. We really need to define “good” in order to answer this. By the way, “someting” needs an “h” added to it. Proofing, it's a concept.

What are the limits of acceptable change?

If it’s truly “acceptable” there should be no limit. The limit is when it starts to become unacceptable, dangerous, or stupid. I’ve known a lot of people who have crossed the line into the “stupid” territory.

“I can never read all the books I want; I can never be all the people I want and live all the lives I want. I can never train myself in all the skills I want. And why do I want? I want to live and feel all the shades, tones, and variations of mental and physical experience possible in my life. And I am horribly limited.”

-- Sylvia Plath

I want to tell stories of my life where I took a great risk and succeeded. Where do I start? How do I put myself in a similar, reasonably achievable situation?

If it’s “reasonably achievable” then it isn’t a “great risk” you’re taking. It kind of defeats the intent of your stories. The great risk is climbing Mt. Everest, free-climbing, base-jumping, making love to another man’s wife while he’s in the other room cleaning his sidearm. Now, there’s a story I’d like to read. Talk about your danger!

What is your opinion on the saying "The more you express yourself and practice using your skills, the more experienced you become and the closer you get to excellence."?

This presupposes you have skills, in which case, yes, I agree with the saying, as long as the person can learn from experience. It is this ability to learn that will bring them closer to “excellence” in their skill.

What is the meaning of the phrase "we choose the life we think we deserve"?

Anyone can choose the life they think they deserve. This is your freedom to choose. Bringing that chosen life to fruition, however, maybe another issue. What we think we deserve, and our ability to achieve it, can be very different. In which case, you may not really deserve it.

"Our lives are not what we deserve; they are, let us agree, in many ways deficient." 

-- Salman Rushdie

Have you ever imagined the pain a parent feels after losing a child?

I have children and grandchildren, so, yes, I have. But what we imagine falls so far short of reality.

Reader comment: You are so right. I’ve lost both and it is truly devastating. A 7-month-old baby and 2 years ago, my 19 yr old grandson. Both were just as bad. I’m watching my daughter suffer every day. He was her only child and she was a single Mom.

How do I stop getting affected by people’s comments?

Their comments say more about them than you. If they are valid, you might want to do a bit of self-introspection. If they aren’t, then ignore ignorance.

What do you think about Congressional leaders announcing yesterday a short-term deal that would provide funding for federal operations through Feb. 1?

They’ve played this tune many times before. Maybe we should learn the dance, or vote better. 

We must cut federal spending - every wasted dollar, every low priority program, and every unconstitutional overreach - every day.

-- Kevin Brady

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