Questions of Truth, Relationships, Needs, and Death

 

“I never meet a ragged boy in the street without feeling that I may owe him a salute, for I know not what possibilities may be buttoned up under his coat.”

-- James A. Garfield

Do narcissists understand that they are twisting the truth?

Do they care?

How much weight should be put on the effort a person has put in if the end result of their work is still bad?

If the person has put in the effort and the end result is less than expected, don’t immediately blame the worker. The process might be flawed. Weight the effort once all the facts are in. This is a good time to use “5 Whys” to find out the root cause: 5 Whys: Getting to the Root of a Problem Quickly

What is the main lesson you have learned in life?

Treat everyone with the same respect you want them to treat you with. Everything else means nothing if you’re an asshole.

What’s the best way to deal with a coworker who talks loud, incessantly & about everyone’s business (including her own) and we sit 6 ft apart? She is making me crazy. I don’t want to be rude to her but I need a nice way to ask her to shut the hell up.

If it is affecting production, this is a supervisory issue. Document everything you do, so you have a paper trail if it proceeds up the chain of command. If the super can’t handle it, it becomes a management issue, and so on. Someone up the chain needs to advise her to "shut the hell up" or seek other employment. Keep your documentation, however. You might find a need to bring it out when all the lies, fingerpointing, and bullshit starts to flow.  Good documentation of what was done by you, to alleviate the issue, often becomes your personal "get out of jail free" card.

Reader comment: Great advice! And remain calm, always keep your cool. 

Is the pursuit of power the primary motivator of most politicians?

Of course. It may not be why they jumped into the fray, but, once they got there the indoctrination started and they were informed of how to survive and get ahead in politics. Power, Graft, corruption, and so much more, assault our elected officials every day. “Oh, and there’s a plate of chocolate chip cookies on the table. Be sure not to have any.” And, it begins.

“Reader, suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself.”

-- Mark Twain

At a guess, which is more important, solidarity or principle? Why?

If showing solidarity resected my principles, there is no question. When showing solidarity disrespects my personal code of moral ethics, my principles, I have to stand by my principles. To do anything else will define me as something I am not. If I can’t respect myself, I can’t truly respect anything.

Why is death so important to the human race?

It is the only other thing we can be certain of, and have no alternative for, at this moment.

How do you talk to popular girls?

They’re just girls. Talk to them the same way you talk to everyone. Don’t get into the habit of treating certain people special. Everyone deserves respect and to be talked to properly, so if you’re not talking to all girls the way you think you should be talking to “popular” girls, there is a problem already.

What phrase or text changed your perspective on life?

“Happiness is a choice. Make a good one.”

What do you mean by a "research-based" decision?

I exercise “due diligence” all the time when I have to make choices and decisions, even in my personal life. For example, if someone says you have to sign a document immediately, good rules of “due diligence” would have you think there must be a reason why you should take time to study the document carefully:

Due diligence: “The investigation or exercise of care that a reasonable business or person is normally expected to take before entering into an agreement or contract with another party or an act with a certain standard of care.

It can be a legal obligation, but the term will more commonly apply to voluntary investigations. A common example of due diligence in various industries is the process through which a potential acquirer evaluates a target company or its assets for an acquisition. The theory behind due diligence holds that performing this type of investigation contributes significantly to informed decision-making by enhancing the amount and quality of information available to decision-makers and by ensuring that this information is systematically used to deliberate on the decision at hand and all its costs, benefits, and risks.” 

-- Wikipedia, “Due diligence”

How can I die peacefully and without pain?

Grow old, and pray to die in your sleep.

Why is it that the only time women have ever been interested in me sexually is when it’s either a joke or meant to get back at their partner? I’m a 24-year-old male virgin.

And… you’re still a 24-year-old virgin? Maybe they’d be more interested in you if you took advantage of their issues and showed them what you bring to the table. The “joke” might be on them when it turns into a relationship.

I'm a man. I wear women's clothes, leggings, and soft feminine panties. What should I do?

Shave your legs, buy sexy apparel, and learn to walk in heels and apply makeup.

What’s happening when people don’t think a person looks like another person? Is it how they perceive shapes or something?

I’d have to agree that they "perceive" the shapes of each person not to be the same because, in all probability, they look nothing alike.

What do human beings need the most?

Air, water, food, clothing, and shelter.

“We need houses as we need clothes, architecture stimulates fashion. It’s like hunger and thirst — you need them both.”

-- Karl Lagerfeld

What’s something you just have to accept?

I’m almost 70 and still a humble stud-muffin.  It is a cross I must bear. 

My man is with other women. I am not jealous, but my heart hurts. I don’t know what can I do?

First of all, he isn’t “your man” anymore, it would seem he’s everyone’s man. The fact that you’re not jealous is good, but the fact that your heart hurts would be evidence you are, in fact, jealous. I’d advise you to let him go, as he just isn’t deserving of you. Go out and find someone who is.

How do people with an IQ of 140 think and act?

Any way they want to. But, being humble will garner more respect.

If my parents never met, yet they each had a child with another partner, which family would potentially give birth to me?

Not necessarily either of them. Your soul might just slip into another “appropriately charged” receptacle. The fact that your parent’s “combined” charge is no longer a factor to draw you in, you will be attracted to the next most appropriate. This could be anywhere and with anyone. 

My ex-girlfriend wants me back, but I don’t. What should I do?

Don’t. Is this a trick question?

“Because what’s worse than knowing you want something, besides knowing you can never have it?”

-- James Patterson 

Should I leave my boyfriend? He raped me and tells me that he will kill himself if I leave him.

Tell him, “karma” is a bitch.

How did you respond when a co-worker that never showed you any respect or interest asked you for a favor?

I did them the favor. Their lack of respect or interest for me has nothing to do with me choosing the higher road. Who I am is evidenced by what I do. Perhaps they will see this and it will change who they are.

What is one motto you live by?

“Everyone deserves respect until they don’t.”

How would you react if you found out that somebody had lied to you?

Don’t lie to me. If you feel the need to lie to me, know that we’ll no longer need to interact. Feel free to decide this now.

Assume the first two statements are true: Leaders are met with criticism. I am criticized. I am a leader. Is the third statement true or false?

It might be either. It doesn’t necessarily follow that just because you’re criticized, you are a leader. You might just be a dumbass.

“If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, then, you are an excellent leader.”

-- Dolly Parton

 

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