Questions of Uncertainty, Opinions, Life, and Love

 

“You always own the option of having no opinion. There is never any need to get worked up or to trouble your soul about things you can't control. These things are not asking to be judged by you. Leave them alone.”

-- Marcus Aurelius

The short answers:

What is the opposite of certainty if it is not uncertainty? What else could it be, and why?

Unpredictability and non-confidence, because the dictionary says so.

What is the worst feeling a person can experience?

Unrelenting guilt.

What's one thing that can instantly make your day better in 2022?

An evening of guiltless, exotic, sex.

What is the easiest way for the average person to grow their wealth?

Hit the “Power Ball” lottery!

What is the best attitude to have in life in order to obtain your goals?

“Can do” attitude, and strive to be happy always.

How do we better ourselves as a society?

Vote for better leaders?

Why do I only feel bicep curls in one arm?

Exercise the other arm?

How soon do you believe we will be able to answer the question of whether we are alone in the universe?

As soon as E.T. lands on the White House lawn.

Can someone be wise without experience or maturity?

Yes, but is very rare.

Is 2022 the right time for a four-day workweek?

10 hours a day… why not? I’m retired, so go for it.

Does old age really signify wisdom?

Age and experience, together, have a much better chance.

What exactly do I want to happen in a goal?

Happiness!

What do you do when you can't eat solid food?

Learn to love yogurt, smoothies, and broth.

What is the evidence or criteria for success?

True happiness. The evidence or criteria for attaining a goal is different.

What is the best type of evidence?

Incontrovertible.

Does life have to be a certain way to be good?

It needs to be truly happy.

Can wearing underwear be a hobby?

If you don’t have a life. 

What's life without good health?

Short.

When was the last time that you prioritized people over things?

I never prioritize things over people. How selfish is that?

“One of the best things you can do for a relationship is become the best and most complete YOU that you can possibly be. Second best thing? Unconditionally love and support your friend/partner/child/spouse in prioritizing the same work in their own life—but not necessarily in the same way.⁣”

-- Natale Norton

And, the long ones:

 

What are the most important decisions to do in life, and why?

Education, faith, marriage, and children. All three will change your life, and probably be with you to the end.

How do otherwise “kind and nice people” find themselves arguing with their spouse?

Bad day, bad mood, bad spouse, bad pregnancy test, mailman left by the back door, vehicle damage, unpaid bill, yadda, yadda, yadda.

What are your opinions about "There are always third options or chance"?

There are always “third options” in life, but the “third option” is derived from the second option. Do, do not, or walk away. You can fix the car, not fix the car, or sell the car. Chance comes into play when you “do nothing” and simply hope that all goes well.

“There are in fact two things, science, and opinion; the former begets knowledge, the latter ignorance.”

-- Hippocrates

Could somebody have rejected the opportunity to have great wealth and power because they have an alternative plan to achieve the same goals?

Certainly, but this opportunity has already presented itself. Unless it seriously sucks, why look a gift-horse in the mouth?

Author's comment:  The so-called ‘opportunity’ is not welcome at all because I didn't ask for it and I have NO ALLEGIANCE with the UK, none whatsoever.

My reply:  This question, now put into this context, would have been answered differently. Nothing of what you've just stated can be gleaned from the question.

Which stage of life did you learn the most valuable information?

From age 21 to about 44. I learned more about life in my, almost, 23-year career in military intelligence than at any other time before or since.

What is the value of a girlfriend?

It is wrong on a couple of levels to determine the value of this “item” by how well used it is. People are not items, obviously, and their value to us is found in how good a friend they are, and vice versa. The value of a girlfriend, therefore, is found in the friend they are.

“There’s a huge difference in sex and making love. We have sex with someone who can satisfy us physically, but we make love to someone who can satisfy us soulfully and eternally. Once you realize the fine line between making love and having sex, you will understand the meaning of life! Life isn’t only about survival, it’s about living and so is making love. We have sex to satisfy our lust and hunger, which is nothing, but survival, but we make love to feed our soul and our mind, to fill a void that is there since a long time, that longs for a partner and that needs someone whom we want to spend the next morning with!

When you have sex just for physical pleasure, you are ashamed and guilty at one point of life or another, but when you make love to someone who means everything to you, you are always proud of it. Never in life, not even a single time, you regret that time and the moments spent with that person. You will always rejoice it and remember it with equal passion and joy.”

-- Mehek Bassi

What is the best way to live life and why, "act or dance like there's no one watching" or "act and dance like you're always being watched"?

I rewrote the poem. It required one to pretend too much.

“Sing because you don’t care who’s listening.
Love because you don’t care about hurt.
Dance because you don’t care who’s watching,
and live a full life because it’s heaven on earth.”

Reader comment: Short and sweet, inspiring and powerful! 

How do I make her love me more?

It is what it is. You can’t “make” her do anything. This is pretty simple. If she doesn’t love you enough, find a woman that does. 

What caused you to start doing as you pleased, instead of trying to please others?

I left home to join the military. Yes, I followed orders, because it pleased me to do so. It was a choice I made in order to be independent. I learned, also, that it truly pleased me to please other people. A good personal choice.

“You strive to please others, to fit in, and feel accepted. In spite of that, you still don’t feel accepted, and not because others don’t accept you, but because you haven’t accepted yourself as you are.”

-- Dragos Bratasanu

 

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