Questions of Goals, Work, and Judging

 

“Open your mind to the world and the many different ways that can be found in it, before making hasty judgments of others. After all, the very same thing that you judge from where you are— may very well be something totally different in meaning on the other side of the world. The problem with making hasty judgments is that it will emphasize your ignorance at the end of the day.”

-- C. JoyBell C.

Does playing tough really work?

No. Playing tough only works until someone calls you down, then you get the crap beat out of you. Better you should be firm, but fair.

Did acting on a "gut feeling" prevent a terrible mistake?

Ever since I divorced my “wife” of 25 years, I’ve paid much more attention to my gut feelings. The other terrible mistakes that were prevented, since then, are too numerous to list.

What if you observe a teacher distributing goal sheets to students that give them their goals for the week?

What if? The teacher might be teaching them to attain goals. Not a bad thing, as long as it doesn’t encompass political indoctrination; as long as it doesn’t require the wear of "Nazi Youth" uniforms and the one-arm Nazi salute to a “new world order.” I am suspect of anything out of the ordinary that "teachers" do, anymore. Actually teaching would even put me on alert.

“It would seem that you have no useful skill or talent whatsoever," he said. "Have you thought of going into teaching?”

-- Terry Pratchett

What is a true hero?

Someone who doesn’t concern themselves with the danger as much as the goal, and when they attain the goal, they’ll either shy away from the limelight or they’ll tell you “It was really nothing. Anyone else would have done the same.” “I was there.” “It was a team effort.”

How true is this statement "Education in itself doesn’t guarantee anything; it is your gift that is the key to your success"?

I don’t like it. It is true if you have a gift, I suppose. It would be more meaningful, for me, to say, “Education in itself doesn’t guarantee anything: it is what you do with the education that is key.”

What is the difference between when you work for the money you have and when you don't at all? Which one is more valuable?

When you don’t work for the money you have, you have no respect for it. When you work your ass off for it, you tend to be more careful with how you spend it.

"Where there is no work, there is no dignity."

-- Pope Francis

What is altruistic about having children?

After World War II, the Soviet Union would give out medals to the “heroes” of the socialist republic who had many children to help repopulate Russia after the Nazi onslaught that cost the 27,000,000 citizens. I would consider this more “altruistic” than just squirting out children for any other reason. And I don’t consider “oops” as a reason. If I were to look for altruism in today's society, it would have to be not aborting the child without good reason, like death. Accepting responsibility for your actions, and allowing the child to live with love and support. This is too much to ask, for some.

In what ways have you been judged and surprised by others' views, when you had a different understanding of your motives and what was taking place?

I’m rarely surprised by the views of others. I always expect to get judged by the League of the Perpetually Offended as they, very often, wrongly perceive my motives for an opinion. My father used to say, “Opinions are like assholes, everybody has one.” He was right, of course. My only surprise is the number of assholes I hear non-cogent comments from. But, I try not to judge.

How do you react when someone challenges your core beliefs?

They’re my core beliefs. What gives them the right to challenge them, and what makes them think they’re so much more correct? This takes me right to the League of the Perpetually Offended, who think they are all that. How do I react? I don’t. People who do this aren’t worth the time you waste on them. They believe what they believe. The difference between us is that I accept their belief as theirs, not mine. The fact that they find some need to challenge my beliefs, says more about their inadequacies than me. I simply smile and move on.

“When they judge you, yawn.

When they misunderstand you, smile.

When they underestimate you, laugh.

When they condemn you, ignore.

When they envy you, rejoice.

When they oppose you, prevail.”

-- Matshona Dhliwayo

Can an introductory mindset have an impact?

Well, yeah. If you develop a “mindset,” or as it’s defined, “a mental attitude or inclination; a fixed state of mind,” it has an impact as it develops a mindset, changes the previous mindset, or adds to an existing mindset.

If you became the most financially successful out of your 5 siblings and they became resentful towards you because of this, should you continue to treat them with kindness even though you know they will still talk negatively behind your back?

Who you are is defined by what you do. Who they are is defined by what they do. Be better than how they’re defining themselves because what they do says more about them than about you.

Is it wrong when you turn 25 years old but you still don't know what career suits you? Is it wrong that we learn everything and like everything?

No, and no. I’ve retired from three careers. All of them suited me, but I enjoyed each of them for different reasons. You are here to learn. This is the purpose of our existence. Question everything! As far as liking everything, I wish I could. But, when you question everything there will, inevitably, be some things that don’t pass muster. It is what it is.

“Several years ago, I realized that I didn’t want to spend all my life in medicine. It had me in a sort of spiritual box, like a plant whose roots are getting crowded. I felt I wasn’t growing. So I promised myself that I would quit while I still had the energy to get involved in something new. There’s nothing wrong with medicine. There’s more paperwork, more lawsuits, less understanding between doctors and patients. But it’s still a great business. But not for me - not any longer.”

-- Richard S. Weeder

Why do people love their lovers more than themselves?

If they do, they’re gonna be in for a big surprise one day. If you can’t love yourself, how can you love someone else? If you don’t love yourself more, how do you know how much you love someone else? Always love yourself more, that way you can leave with no regrets if things start to go south in the relationship. 

How does the degree of inequality affect people’s willingness to make sacrifices on behalf of the greater good?

Proof that people are basically selfish. Make sacrifices for the greater good? The first question they will ask is, probably, “Who is defining the greater good?” Usually, the greater good is determined by someone’s hidden agenda or, in the realm of politics, a not-so-hidden agenda they still think is hidden since most people aren't intelligent enough, or smart enough, to recognize it.

What are some important lessons you learned from your parent's struggles?

Stay out of debt. They would have struggled so much more and never been able to retire as they did if they didn’t pay cash for everything. The cookie jar always had the money for something they were saving for. Credit cards and debt are a way of keeping indentured servitude alive and well. Who is in your wallet?  How many "masters" do you serve?

“The path of development is a journey of discovery that is clear only in retrospect, and it’s rarely a straight line.”

-- Eileen Kennedy-Moore

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