Questioning Ourselves, Ambition, Mistakes, Revenge, and Courage

 

“Karma comes after everyone eventually. You can't get away with screwing people over your whole life, I don't care who you are. What goes around comes around. That's how it works. Sooner or later the universe will serve you the revenge that you deserve.”

-- Jessica Brody

How do I prove I'm not worthless?

Who do you think you need to prove this to? Has somebody asked you to prove it? And, if so, what makes them so damned special?

If someone were to ask me to prove this, the first thought I’d have is what worthless trait they, themselves, are trying to hide by making people think they’re all that. Better not to judge others, lest they judge you.

The fact that you live gives your life self-value in the sense that you are capable of doing something. If you are loved or have friends, this adds to your personal value. If you wish to be valued by others, you must make the effort to be of value to them, and not just to yourself. But, this is a choice you must make, not them.

If you are spiritual, know that you were put here for a purpose. We all were. Finding that purpose is your path in life, not theirs. It is your path only you can walk it. It is what makes you valuable.

What are we supposed to be doing for ourselves?

Surviving so we can learn the lessons we were gifted this life to learn, the first of which is to be truly happy always and in all things.

Why is hard work associated with luck as in believing the two; hard work and luck have anything in common?

There is no such thing as “luck” in life. You work hard to get ahead. You learn to make good choices. If you lose at poker, it has nothing to do with luck. You made some bad choices that might make you rethink playing poker or gambling, at all. We tend to blame our shortcomings on “bad luck” when it really has to do with what we chose to do or not. Did “John” have a run of bad luck? No, John had a run of crappy choices and decisions. John might want to think hard before he acts, or learn quite a bit about what he’s getting into.

What are some things, ideas, beliefs, etc., that you consider "set in stone"?

Ethical conduct. Anything else is simply not conducive to a truly happy life, nor is it constructive for the betterment of life.

What reason could there possibly be for when we tempt fate, especially when we continue to inexplicably tempt fate, and particularly those of us who are older, have plenty of life experience, and are smart enough that should know better?

Fate is what it is, and we make our own fate by how well we learn to make choices and decisions, what you call “life experience.” The reason you’re looking for is actually in your question: The majority of us aren’t smart enough to know better. We simply haven’t learned what we should be learning. Simplified, one might say we learn not to touch a hot stove when we burn ourselves but were we smart enough to ask how to turn the stove off?

“We all know how life ends but we don’t live it to hurry toward death. It’s the matter in the middle that’s the most important.”

-- Kerrigan Byrne

Do you feel like a "bad person" when you are around other so-called "bad people"?

No. I am who I am, regardless of who I’m around. One must strive to be the “light” for others to emulate.

Do intelligent people make you happy?

Intelligent or stupid, it all depends on what they’re doing. The bright side, however, is that I’ve chosen to be happy always and in all things, so if what they’re doing doesn’t add to that happiness, I’m looking in the wrong place.

How does the fear of poverty destroy ambition?

Why would fear of poverty destroy ambition? One would think fear of success would be more apt to do this. If you fear being poor, you’d be more apt to work your ass off to prevent poverty.

Would you call yourself a "spineless weakling" if you permit others to do your thinking for you?

Submissive, spineless, weak, everything I am not. Never let others do the thinking for you. Even in the military, I spoke up if something sounded a bit off:

“Why do you always have to question me?”

“Why do you always find the need to try and kill me?”

If we know it's not worth it, why do we let it take up so much space in our minds?

Maybe we’re not really sure? She isn’t worth the effort, because I know I’m not in her league. But, damn! She is so drop-dead gorgeous, I just can’t get her out of my head. It is what it is until it isn’t.

“I'm not crying because of you; you're not worth it. I'm crying because my delusion of who you were was shattered by the truth of who you are.”

-- Steve Maraboli

It is okay to make mistakes, but you should refrain from making mistakes?

Is this a question or a statement? Mistakes and failures are the best ways we learn. What we should refrain from doing, however, is making the same mistake, over and over again. Repeating your mistake is counterproductive and shows a lack of learning, which is the whole point.

What are your strengths as a professional?

Thinking out of the box, analysis, project completion, time and personnel management, and leadership.

I keep failing as a person to the standards I set, what is your advice to boost myself?

Lower your standards to something realistic, or try harder. My standards are defined by my moral code of personal ethics. I have no reason to “boost” myself because I strive to be truly happy always and in all things.

Must something that has risen, eventually fall?

Not necessarily.

Since it's obvious that our social order isn't the strong surviving over the weak but because of the weak, should we rethink what has been imprinted on us to be the fittest to survive?

Obvious? Maybe not so much. Some of the greatest minds have been “weaker” in the body. The strong might be considered “fit” and yet may not be the sharpest tool in the shed. A weakling with a mind for “survival” might give the “strong” a good challenge.

“It appeared clear to me - partly because of the lies that filled my history textbooks - that the intent of formal education was to inculcate obedience to a social order that did not deserve my loyalty. Defiance seemed the only dignified response to the adult world.”

-- Timothy B. Tyson

Is getting revenge better than having a quiet, long-term grudge?

The “quiet, long-term grudge” sidesteps the nasty karma that comes along with the revenge. Two wrongs never make it right. Let karma find the one who has wronged you. Why would you stand in the path of karma finding the right target? Better leave revenge to God and karma.

What has being "independent" done for you, personally?

Maturity, confidence, self-reliance, and survival skills.

Do you have the feeling that something big is coming?

I’ve been expecting a revolution against socialism in America for a couple of years now. Turns out it was only a daily bowel movement. Something big is coming, though. I hope it is a red wave that takes this country back from those who would destroy it. But, it will probably be a terrorist attack that will make 9/11 pale in comparison. We will find the terrorists involved were invited across the border by Biden’s border policies, and the Democrats will be forced back to where we all worked across the aisle. Or. it could just be another daily bowel movement, kind of like the current administration.

How true is it that "worry" is a form of sustained fear caused by indecision?

I can see my worry as being a form of sustained fear, but I’m not sure it has to have anything to do with any indecision on my part. It seems to me that this is situational.

How do I explain to my son that he can't be a successful musician?

Why can’t he? No family support, or no talent? If he has no talent, this will become apparent on its own. I wouldn’t dash the dreams of the young. Their fate is not yours to decide. Support him, but tell him to keep his options open, just in case.

"You never accomplish anything if you don't believe you can do it."

-- Unknown

Why can't a person who possesses infinite strength manifest that strength?

Nobody possesses “infinite” strength. Even Superman had his Kryptonite. We manifest that which we can and, sometimes, a bunch more.

"Courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it." ― Nelson Mandela. What is your definition of courage?

Courage is something we summon up when we need it. Bravery is more akin to immediate reckless abandonment of good sense, whereas courage requires a critique of the situation before throwing yourself to the wolves.

What is the way of success?

Success in life is all about learning to be truly happy always and in all things. Everything else is simply attaining goals. But, if you aren’t truly happy on the journey, what’s the point?

Students' perspective on core values influences their approach to applying professional values in their future profession. What is your perspective about these professional values?

If you have no morally ethical principles, you will, more than likely, have no moral ethics in your future profession. We all, from a young age, try to develop a good sense of personal moral and ethical principles that we can stand by always. This “personal ethical code” helps define who and why we are to those around us. Those who have no ethical code to apply, are lost.

Is it true that if you don't control what you think, you can't control what you do?

I think this follows, for the most part. If you can control what you do, it evidences that you must be controlling what you think.

“If you fail to control your thought, your thought will never fail to control you! Master the art of controlling your thought better and your thought will control you better”

-- Ernest Agyemang Yeboah

 

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, finally, a senior manager. He spent 17 years, following his service career, working with the premier, world-renowned, Western 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 the lead chaplain at a regional medical center.

Feel free to contact Pastor Tony:  tolerantpastor@gmail.com