Questions on Nothing, Trying, and Decisions

“Anything can happen in life, especially nothing.”

-- Michel Houellebecq

Can something form from nothing? You can't just say that a watch formed out of a tornado storm from millions and millions of years ago. Can you?

If there is truly nothing, then I’d have to say, no. “Something” would require “base” material, no matter how infinitesimal.

Do you leave everything to luck or fate and believe that whatever is destined will happen?

Whatever happens, my fate is governed by the choices and decisions I make. If I choose to do nothing, then that is a choice and “luck” is in play. My fate, my destiny, is the consequence of what I choose to do or not to do.

What are the changes you have seen in yourself after answering questions on this site?

I have become much more adept at ignoring the League of the Perpetually Offended.

“Time provides all of us with the opportunity to change, alter our belief system, and create new perspectives that challenge a person’s character and teach him or her how to become a happier and wiser person.”

-- Kilroy J. Oldster

What is the rationale behind the statement, "everyone should be grateful that time management has become harder than ever"?

If it has become that hard for everyone to manage their time, then no one will be very concerned when time-sensitive projects run over the allotted time. Either the young are not being taught good time management, or multitasking has overwhelmed time allotment. You can only do more with less until there isn’t enough time.

If money weren’t a consideration, what would you like to be doing?

Cruise around the world.

What are the things I should do to not struggle in life?

Learn not to stress. Learn that failure is simply an opportunity to learn. Learn to be happy at all times and in all things. 

“If in trouble, focus on where you want to be rather than where you are!”

-- Somya Kedia

Do results come when you stop trying?

If you don’t vote does someone still get elected? Of course, but if it isn’t who you wanted, you have no right to complain… since you stopped trying. When you don’t try you leave any results up to chance, to luck.

Casinos love people who take chances and rely on luck, you know, gamblers. It’s how casinos make so much money. It’s how they stay in business. The “house” wins much more than it loses.

Results may, in fact, come, but without you trying the results may not be what you expect.

What are some ways of growing in freedom as an adolescent?

Read about the ills of communism, socialism, fascism, totalitarianism, and the nazi regime (just because they murdered 21,000,000 people they didn’t like). Then, read the Constitution of the United States. You will grow.

What are some excuses you keep on telling yourself?

"She’s married."  "I'm spoken for."  It works! I’m not dead… yet.

“The only thing standing between you and your goal is the bullshit story you keep telling yourself as to why you can't achieve it.”

-- Jordan Belfort

What do smart people do on a regular basis that sets them apart from others?

If they’re really smart, nothing.

Which decision by an actor or actress cost them millions?

Divorce, always.

If you cloned a person, would that person need to be reborn as a baby or as they are at the time of cloning?

Since cloning is at a cellular level, it would be grown as a baby would.

“If we are made in his image. How will that change in this next stage in our evolution? Where we have cloning of individuals and gene manipulation to enhance ourselves. Are we changing what that image is?”

-- James Hauenstein

Most people work just hard enough not to get fired and get paid just enough money not to quit. — George Carlin. Do you agree?

Unless you’re a “go-getter” on the job, yeah, I’d have to agree. The “go-getter” will eventually win out over the other employees because any boss doesn’t want to lose the only person truly working toward a goal.

Who fights harder, the one who has nothing to lose or the one who has everything to lose?

Unless it has to do with life or death, I’d have to say the one who has everything to lose. Life or death is “everything” and has a way of putting everyone on an even keel when the choice is fight or die.

If you could go back and undo one decision in your life, what would it be and why?

Marriage. I wasted 25 years of my life trying to salvage a life with someone who was constantly working against me. I finally let them win in order to move forward.

“What you do in this world is a matter of no consequence. The question is what can you make people believe you have done.”

-- Arthur Conan Doyle

Why is there no such thing as a perfect time to start anything?

Who offered up this lie? The perfect time is up to the individual. I have a perfect time to start fishing, a perfect time to read my book, a perfect time to answer these questions, a perfect time to start dinner, etc. For most people, there are many “perfect times” for what they choose to do. 

What do I do when I decide to do something and I prepare myself for it then I realize it’s not a good decision? It happens a lot to me.

If it isn’t a good decision you’re probably right in not doing it. What do you do? Pat yourself on the back for doing the right thing. If it happens to you a lot, you’re making a lot of good decisions.

How can I be a better team member at work with my skills?

Work on the skill of being a better team member. Work well with others. Be receptive to other ideas. Listen. Communicate. And, give credit where credit is due. Do all of this and you just might screw up and become a team leader.

“The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team.”

-- Phil Jackson

 

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