Questioning Love, Success, Belief, and Friendship

 

“You know, just the right amount of jelly where it doesn’t squish out when you bite into it. Not so much peanut butter that you get all goopy-mouthed. Making the perfect PBJ is an art form. And it has to be fresh white bread, and the best grape jelly and creamy peanut butter on the market. No exceptions.”

-- Jenny Lyn

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Note to my readers:  Well, here's a real kick in the pants.  According to the site, I just garnered 36,767 views of my answers in the past week.  I did the math in my head and reached for the calculator to confirm my shaky multiplication.  This new number, times 52 weeks, puts me at a possible 1,911,884 views for the coming year.  Not only did I break the million mark, I'm almost at tw0 million.  As humble as I am, I was astonished.  Thank you to all who read my humble offerings!

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If you are what you love, not what loves you, then what does this make you?

A very happy man.

Is it harder to do well or be successful if others (e.g. your friends) do not believe in you?

It depends on your personality. If you pay attention to the “naysayers” you will probably find it harder. If you ignore them, believe in yourself, and attain your goals, you have earned the right to thumb your nose at them. Strive for your own attainment, Do what you want to do, and do what makes you happy. Strive to be happy always and in all things regardless of what others think. This will be your true success.

Why do some single people become obsessed with married people?

Jealousy? The fact the couple celebrates something, happiness or companionship, that eludes them?

How can I forget someone who cares about me?

Why would you want to? With so many fewer people truly caring about us in this world, I would think you’d celebrate them. There are many who truly care about me, some in a romantic context, which I don’t reciprocate, but it doesn’t mean I don’t recognize that they care or that I don’t love them dearly. I try to make certain that they’re aware of my feelings. We stay good friends. Not only can I not forget about them, but I also choose not to.

What kind of president from the past could we use right now?

Ronald Reagan

“How do you tell a Communist? Well, it’s someone who reads Marx and Lenin. And how do you tell an anti-Communist? It’s someone who understands Marx and Lenin.”

-- Ronald Reagan

What are some questions that no one has an answer to?

I don’t know, they haven’t asked them yet.

How do I get a loyal and loving girlfriend?

Keep looking. They’re out there looking for a loyal and loving boyfriend. You’ll find each other, sooner or later. Don’t try to rush it.

What are some questions that no one has an answer to?

Is God real? There is no proof, one way or another.

What’s love going to do for anyone?

It will chew you up and spit you out. It will make your life worth living and tempt you to suicide. You will become wealthy and poor, and so much more and less. But, if you’re up to the challenge, it is one lesson you will look back on fondly for all it teaches you.

Why does the left claim, that men can have babies?

Your question makes perfect sense, considering.

“Conception is a blessed event. Fertilization is divine intervention. The development of the embryo is a miraculous encounter. The birth of a child is a supernatural spiritual event.”

-- Lailah Gifty Akita

Why do humans treat their close friends with less respect than newer friends?

You’ve already attained the mutual respect of your close friends. The “newer” friend is the one you need to see if “mutual” respect is possible. Priorities. Who requires the attention?

What do you call a person who is always apologizing for things for no reason?

Insecure.

How do you keep on going when no one believes in you?

Believe in yourself. The only person you have to prove anything to, in reality, is you. It is your life, not theirs. Do you live your life at the behest of others? I wouldn’t expect you to. Keep on going because it is what you do, to attain the goals you set for yourself, not because someone else tells you to. If you can’t believe in yourself, how is anyone else expected to believe in you?

How do you know when they really do like you and want a relationship?

I think when they tell you, “I really like you and I want a relationship” might be a big clue. Try not to miss it.

What does a narcissist do when you no longer have sex with them?

They will probably state that they are better qualified to satisfy themselves than anybody else could, anyway.

"The narcissistic orientation is one in which one experiences as real only that which exists within oneself, while the phenomena in the outside world have no reality in themselves, but are experienced only from the viewpoint of their being useful or dangerous to one. The opposite pole to narcissism is objectivity; it is the faculty to see other people and things as they are, objectively, and to be able to separate this objective picture from a picture which is formed by one's desires and fears."

-- Erich Fromm

What is your go-to quick meal?

PB&J, a cheese sandwich, or leftovers… in a sandwich. I cook all the time, and just about anything I cook makes a great sandwich as leftovers. Lasagne is the best, on sourdough with mayo.

What do you think if a man asks a woman for sex, she says yes only if in a hotel for which she pays, and he says no as he doesn't want a hotel?

They’re overthinking the entire project. Personally, I don’t give a rats ass where we do it, let’s get on with it. Jeeze, I could die an old man before this gets settled.

How long can a married man go without sex?

 Ready! About that long.

Why are young people not rushing into marriage?

It’s more fun living in sin and they don’t have to inadvertently lie to anyone about their intentions. No divorces, no grandiose promises about uncertain futures together, and no children to support (if they’re smart). Friends with benefits. Hallelujah! The spankings will commence!

 If a guy claims to love you but doesn’t treat you well or respect you, does that mean he doesn't love you?

Ya think?  

“You can experience disappointment, but it is your choice to disrespect or be unloving.”

-- Emerson Eggerichs

Should I still be friends with an ex?

If it was an amicable break, why not? If there were kids involved this could be a good thing. It teaches that not everything works out, but you can still be friends. After my ex, of 25 years, lied to the sheriff and had me arrested, an amicable divorce was a pipe dream. I would have loved to still be friends, just for the sake of the kids.

What should I do if my girlfriend of 8 years breaks up with me, and I feel like I can't go on without her?

Suck it up. She obviously feels she can go on without you, so how about you find someone better than her who actually really and truly gives a shit about you? Your happiness really isn’t her. 

What should you never tell your wife about her ex?

Anything. Why even bring them up? You should be paying more attention to not being the ex than discussing them. She hopefully loves you because you are not him. It would be hell to find out the reason she left him was he kept bringing up her ex.

How do I know how old my dog is in dog years?

“As a general guideline, though, the American Veterinary Medical Association breaks it down like this: 15 human years equals the first year of a medium-sized dog's life. Year two for a dog equals about nine years for a human. And after that, each human year would be approximately five years for a dog.” -- https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/how-to-calculate-dog-years-to-human-years

Which age do you think is the best age?

50. I was running with the girls like stamina was never-ending. I was in the second position of responsibility, this one in my second career, and I was looking forward to early retirement, at 58. Most importantly, I had discovered the secret to being truly happy always and in all things. Not many people get to experience that level of success.

“Yes, we praise women over 40 for a multitude of reasons. Unfortunately, it's not reciprocal. For every stunning, smart, well-coiffed, hot woman over 40, there is a bald, paunchy relic in yellow pants making a fool of himself with some 22-year old waitress. Ladies, I apologize. For all those men who say, "Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free?", here's an update for you. Nowadays 80% of women are against marriage. Why? Because women realize it's not worth buying an entire pig just to get a little sausage!”

-- Frank Kaiser

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