Questioning Values, Choices, Truth, Humility, and Life

 

“Your beliefs become your thoughts,

Your thoughts become your words,

Your words become your actions,

Your actions become your habits,

Your habits become your values,

Your values become your destiny.”

-- Gandhi

What are the examples of core life values, and how do you determine yours?

My core life values are reflected in my moral sense of personal ethics: Loyalty, honesty, faith, understanding, tolerance, hard work, perseverance, love, and true sustainable happiness, to name a few.

Do y'all ever just… stop and kinda wish you were never born?

Nope. Every day on this side of the dirt is a good day. It is a reason to rejoice and learn the lessons we were set here to learn. The alternative simply sucks.

What would you consider successful?

True happiness always and in all things.

Can you explain this statement "the past has begin to co-exist with the future and cannot be wished away"?

No. For me, the statement is either in error or out of context. The word “begin” is probably “begun” in the original quote.

You can’t wish the past away, regardless of it co-existing with the future. Besides, it always co-exists with the future as our memories.

Will I ever truly feel accomplished in life?

If you can be truly happy always and in all things, regardless of your circumstances, you have become accomplished and successful in life.

“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.”

― Ralph Waldo Emerson

What happens when we don't collaborate?

You’re on your own. When the individual fails, it’s usually a sign that they didn’t have all they needed to attain the goal. Collaboration brings more information, talent, and support, into the equation.

Why are values in life important?

Your personal values define who you are to those around you. If you stand by your values, they know the “why” of you and, it then follows, what to expect of you.

Is anyone scared and feeling helpless about this inflation we are experiencing?

Considering we left four years of prosperity to endure this, yes.

Has every situation, and decision, made in your life, been meant to push you toward your life purpose?

Yes, and I’ve accomplished several purposes having retired three times. Now, my purpose is to minister, mentor, and enjoy life. Life is all about our choices and decisions. We can’t place blame on others because it is our life, not theirs.

Is there a difference between fearlessness and bravery?

No. Bravery is a lack of fear, whereas courage is taking action in spite of any fear you might feel.

“There are so many ways to be brave in this world. Sometimes bravery involves laying down your life for something bigger than yourself, or for someone else. Sometimes it involves giving up everything you have ever known, or everyone you have ever loved, for the sake of something greater.

But sometimes it doesn't.

Sometimes it is nothing more than gritting your teeth through pain, and the work of every day, the slow walk toward a better life."

-- Veronica Roth

Do you believe that picking what you want to be in life is almost like picking your punishment and not being tied to anything is the key to happiness?

Happiness is a choice. Life is all about choices and decisions. The choices and decisions you make in your life will determine the bad or the good in your life. Life is about learning to make good decisions and choices so you always have good outcomes. This, and the choice to be truly happy always and in all things, is the key to being truly happy.

What causes people to start experiencing rapid growth in their lives?

Desire, knowledge, hard work, perseverance, or blind luck.

Is empathy more than standing in another's shoes?

It does no good to stand in another’s shoes if you don’t want to understand what they’re going through. Without the desire to understand, you’re just trying on a pair of shoes.

How difficult is it for you to recognize and accept the truth?

If the truth is incontrovertible, it’s not difficult at all.

Who agrees with me when I say when no one respects you you have totally failed at life?

If you don’t respect yourself, you have totally failed in life. Who really cares what others think of you? You can consider their opinion, but it is up to you, at the end of the day, to respect all you have done and, in this way, to respect yourself.

“I can't give you a sure-fire formula for success, but I can give you a formula for failure: try to please everybody all the time.”

-- Herbert Bayard Swope

How would you rank wealth, power, and impact? Why?

Mahatma Gandhi was not wealthy. His power came from the people, as he was their humble servant. Yet, his message to the world had a great impact. It matters little about your wealth or your power. What matters most is the impact your actions have.

Why should you surrender yourself to positive people?

You shouldn’t. Just because they’re positive is no evidence that they are right.

“A person is unable to complete his mission in life alone. Everyone needs someone to help them become a better person” do you agree?

Yes, and no. Our mission in life is, ultimately, to be truly happy always and in all things. This is a simple choice each of us must make for our lives. If you are unable to make a simple choice, then you will need help, and this is also your choice. But being a good person, mentoring set-aside, is totally up to you. You choose to be or not. 

How do you find something you want to serve that is greater than yourself?

Look up. 

Is humility a strength or weakness in today's world?

If it is a weakness, I’m screwed. Fortunately, it is not. It is so much harder to be constantly humble in the face of assholes, and to learn the ability to turn the tables on them, hopefully, without their knowledge.

“There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self.”

-- Ernest Hemingway

In general, which of these are the cheapest to sacrifice so that you can move forward in life - resources, time, ego/pride, reputation, dignity, morals, peace of mind, health/well-being, or freedom? Which would you rather sacrifice most often?

Ego and pride. It is easier to move forward in life when you practice humility and good moral ethics. Ego and pride simply get in the way of moving forward, and if you use them to your advantage, karma will probably catch up to you.

What is the easiest way to help people build better lives for themselves and family?

Mentor them. It is up to them whether they listen and help themselves. If they don’t do it for themselves, whatever they end up with will have little value.

What is the difference between being slow and being patient?

Even the slowest person can lose their cool. Anyone can be slow yet quick to anger. Many people who aren’t slow can be the most patient simply because they choose to be. Being patient is an attribute all of us need to work on. I move at my own speed, but I tend to spike when patience eludes me. It is an attribute I constantly have to monitor. I am getting better, however. Now, I only have to worry about the idiots on the road trying to kill me. 

How do I embrace my limitations?

Admit you have them. In the famous words of Harry Callahan, “A man must know his limitations.” Once to embrace the fact that you have limitations, you can begin working on them. Until then, you are simply lying to yourself.

How can I escape wanting validation?

Develop self-confidence and ignore what others think. Personally, I’d enjoy hearing a second opinion. Whether I accept it is still up to me. Validation is a way we gauge that what we do is probably right or has value to others. If your ego allows you to escape wanting validation, you risk finding yourself alone in a wasteland of your own choosing. And, this is the point. It is your choice to listen to the opinions of others. The “constructive” opinion is how we grow as individuals. 

“It's a tragedy that we recognized our self-worth from external validation.”

-- Aditya Ajmera

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