Questioning Answers, Work, Priorities, and Comments

 

“Nothing on this planet can compare with a woman’s love—it is kind and compassionate, patient and nurturing, generous and sweet and unconditional. Pure. If you are her man, she will walk on water and through a mountain for you, too, no matter how you’ve acted out, no matter what crazy thing you’ve done, no matter the time or demand. If you are her man, she will talk to you until there just aren’t any more words left to say, encourage you when you’re at rock bottom and think there just isn’t any way out, hold you in her arms when you’re sick and laugh with you when you’re up. And if you’re her man and that woman loves you—I mean really loves you?—she will shine you up when you’re dusty, encourage you when you’re down, defend you even when she’s not so sure you were right, and hang on your every word, even when you’re not saying anything worth listening to. And no matter what you do, no matter how many times her friends say you’re no good, no matter how many times you slam the door on the relationship, she will give you her very best and then some, and keep right on trying to win over your heart, even when you act like everything she’s done to convince you she’s "The One" just isn’t good enough.

That’s a woman’s love—it stands the test of time, logic, and all circumstance. ”

-- Steve Harvey

Is there something else you should say aside from “no” when you don’t want to do something? When I say no it’s overlooked and in pushed till I give in. What am I doing wrong is me saying no not enough for them to stop and move on?

You’re giving in, and they know you will. You have shown yourself to be easily manipulated, and they take advantage of you. Try saying “no” and walking away. Try not doing what you said “no” to. When they ask why it isn’t done, explain that they seem to have a problem understanding words with less than three letters, like “no.” It is time for you to stand up for yourself.

Is being committed to something a sign of consistency?

Is being “committed” one time a sign of consistency? I don’t think so. Being committed at all times to what you do is a sign of consistency. 

What makes you realize that you're luckier than many others?

I am truly happy with my lot in life. I have managed to sidestep financial debt by paying cash. I have retired several times from jobs I simply loved doing. I have friends and family. I have my health. And I keep all unnecessary drama from my life. I wake up every morning and thank God for the “gift” of another day in paradise and another chance to excel in this life. Any day on this side of the dirt is a great day, indeed. The alternative simply sucks.

How have your favorite authors influenced your career path and/or love life?

No, but Huxley, Orwell, Wells, Marx, Engels, Moore, and others have influenced my understanding and fear of socialism and those who support it.

Why do things seem so hard to do at work? Every day is a struggle.

Every day is a challenge. If every day were a struggle there would be less happiness in it. Why would you be doing something that doesn’t make you happy? This would be counterproductive to your well-being. Life throws many challenges at us, it is the way we learn. We learn so we will be ready to move forward into the next life. Failures and mistakes are opportunities life sets before us to see how well we handle them and to see how well we learn. Basically, life gives you the opportunity to get paid for doing work that teaches you to handle problems so you will be better prepared. You get paid for learning. How great is that?

“We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard.”

-- John F. Kennedy

 Is telling one the reason you like them a way of showing how much you value them?

Simply saying you like them shows that you value them. The reason you like them, why you like them, them simply validates the fact that you do like them. Saying you like someone means less than explaining why. 

Do you agree that life doesn't allow you to be depressed no matter how bad your life is because it’s just going to make things worse?

Absolutely. Why be depressed simply because life has offered up another opportunity for you to learn? You are better served to work on the problems in life with a positive outlook. We learn about life by making choices and decisions. Bad choices, bad outcomes. We learn to make better choices through trial and error. If what we try makes things worse, we try something else until it gets better or we have learned why we went wrong, in the first place, so we can mitigate the possibility of it happening again.

Is making your own decisions a sign of responsibility?

Only if your choices and decisions are responsible. Children make their own decisions and usually get scolded for them. It is the way they learn to be responsible.

What happens when someone fails to set a priority in life?

They lose structure. Things that should be done fall to the side. Bills don’t get paid. Animals don’t get fed. Lovers don’t get loved. One runs the risk of life turning to shit. One must set priorities to keep any structure in life.

What price do we have to pay in order to go far and be successful in life?

Hard work, education, and perseverance will get you far, and striving for true happiness always and in all things will make you successful.

"The price we pay for our advance in civilization is a loss of happiness through the heightening of the sense of guilt."

-- Unknown

What’s wrong with being a proshipper?

You’re spending too much time playing video games?

How do you make something right when you know you've done something wrong?

Knowing what you did wrong is the first step. Owning what you did is the next. Owning what you did is admitting you have to take responsibility for it. Once you own the mistake you can go about being the mature adult and apologizing for what you did and asking how you can make it right. This may go over like a lead balloon, but, at least you have made the attempt.

It isn’t all about what we do in life. A lot of life is about how we handle what we do. It is good for people to develop a good, moral, code of ethical conduct that they can stand by always. This defines who you are to those around you. When you’re wrong, you admit it. Why? Because honesty demands it, and your code of ethics demands you try to right whatever wrong you may have done because righting the wrong is the right thing to do. People need to know you for always doing the right thing, even when you’ve done wrong.

What inspires you to succeed at work?

The paycheck.

Why do so many people turn off their comments when neither a question nor their answer is controversial? It's frustrating when I can say nothing positive to them about their great answers.

Fear. People are afraid of feedback. I’ve learned to ignore non-constructive feedback. I get hammered constantly by the League of the Perpetually Offended, but I have certainly learned to ignore their lack of cogent thought and the stream of cursing that usually follows when their brain refuses to produce a constructive conversation. I simply think most people are afraid of having to deal with non-constructive comments. I sympathize but have learned not to give a shit. 

What are the purposes and goals of human existence?

The purpose is to learn the lessons of life. The goal is to be truly happy always and in all things. The purpose and goal are the same for each life, preparing us to move forward into the next.

"As far as we can discern, the sole purpose of human existence is to kindle a light in the darkness of mere being."

-- Carl Jung

How do seniors who start dating initiate sex?

Usually, right out of the starting gate. For most, it isn’t their first rodeo.

How do I communicate the deeper thoughts that rest in my mind to my closest friends without it being weird? Is it inconsiderate to have a desire to share all of these thoughts with others?

They’re your “closest friends” for a reason, probably because they like your weirdness. You might want to pick and choose the thoughts you share, however.

How do you tell if you made a horrible mistake?

Being “served” by an officer of the court is a pretty good sign.

What’s the scariest thing that happened in your life?

I married the wrong woman. I’m not a stupid person, but it took me 25 years to realize my mistake. It seems everybody understood who she was but me. As a Sicilian, I just refused to give up on love. Can you say, “dumbass”? I’ve learned to.

What things do you always want to be in control of?

My life, my freedom, and my finances.

“Incredible change happens in your life when you decide to take control of what you do have power over instead of craving control over what you don't.”

-- Steve Maraboli

What’s your backup plan? What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?

Perseverance and patience.

Is it possible to continue sleeping with girls?

I sincerely hope so, if they're of age

What is sex after dating?

Fun. Oh, wait. It was fun during dating. Okay. The same thing, then, fun. 

What is your definition of success, and how are you trying?

Success is nothing more than true happiness. True happiness is a choice you make for your life, to be truly happy always and in all things you do. Being this choice, true happiness becomes sustainable happiness.

If a woman can't show you how much she wants you sexually, what does that mean?

You’re probably not getting laid.

“We waste time looking for the perfect lover, instead of creating the perfect love.”

-- Tom Robbins

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