Questioning Failure, Courage, and Redemption

 

“Many of the younger generation know my name in a vague way and connect it with grotesque inventions, but don't believe that I ever existed as a person. They think I am a nonperson, just a name that signifies a tangled web of pipes or wires or strings that suggest machinery. My name to them is like a spiral staircase, veal cutlets, barber's itch—terms that give you an immediate picture of what they mean.”

-- Rube Goldberg

What does it mean when someone flashes their lights at you twice?

Your “high beams” are on, or you’re coming up on a cop. If it’s daytime, I’d go with the cop.

What can I do to become a successful being?

Make the conscious choice to be truly happy always and in all things, regardless of your circumstances. Once you can choose success in your life, then you can confidently move forward in attaining your other goals, like finding out that failure and mistakes are simply opportunities to learn. But, be successful, first, and you will learn with positivity so you can attain your goals.

Is honesty an attitude?

Other than being the basis of good moral ethics, yes. It helps to define who and why we are to those around us.

What are the strengths of structuralism?

As with any structure, a good foundation. Just saying. But, what do I know?

Whatever I do ends in a mess, and I have to take all the criticism before cleaning it. I work in Computer sciences.

So, people in computer science don’t make mistakes? This means they criticize you because they are gods. Bullshit. Nobody is that perfect. You are learning, just like they are, or did. These are the people who can't figure out why a system isn't working, while you're standing there holding the plug. Maybe the career you’ve chosen isn’t the one for you. But, before you chuck it all away, I’d ask someone in the field, one who has your respect, for some advice.

“Wisdom comes from making mistakes, having the courage to face them, and make adjustments moving forward based upon the knowledge acquired through those experiences.”

-- Ken Poirot

Historically, when did the major virtues (love, gratitude, patience, forgiveness, integrity, trust, loyalty, bravery, kindness, etc.) make a sustained appearance since 4000 BC by at least one individual (or even as a collective group of people)?

You’ve got to be effing kidding me.

What is a harbinger of failure?

“That wasn’t the target?” “Oh, shit!” “Oops…” “What the…?” “Is it supposed to look like that?” “Is it supposed to sound like that?” “Is it supposed to smell like that?” “Has anybody seen the scalpal?” “RUN!”

Or, it could just be the blinding white light that occurs before an explosion.

What was the most valuable lesson you've learned from an encounter with the police?

Do what they tell you to do. If you have an issue, take it up in court with a good attorney.

What’s the difference between an emotionally fragile person and an emotionally immature person?

I can’t think of a thing.

Is it possible to do a good or bad act without prior thinking? Why or why not?

Knee jerk reaction. You actually do act before you have a chance to think.

"The only thing worse than a knee-jerk liberal is a knee-pad conservative."

-- Edward Abbey

What life lesson did you learn the hard way?

If you really love someone, make sure they’re not a coward with a hammer. When you turn your back, they’ll break your heart.

Is there a quote that basically states not to trust people that think you can do no wrong and place you on a pedestal because they aren’t your real friends?

You really need a quote for this? “Don’t trust people who constantly kiss your ass.” Ta-da!

A belief is just a thought in your head you keep on thinking so much you believe it’s true. Would you agree?

No, this would be having “faith” in something. Faith is a belief in something for which there is little or no proof. You believe it’s true because you have faith that it’s so, regardless of evidence to the contrary. But, you can also believe something because of incontrovertible facts.

What makes some people willing to risk their lives to save others? Is it nature or nurture?

Both. They are either brave, by nature, or they have overcome their fear, to nurture.

Is it better to be fearless or courageous?

Fearless is brave, so the original question stands. The answer to the question should be situational. The brave don’t think, they just act. There is no fear. The courageous, on the other hand, have to overcome fear before they act. They need to “summon up the courage.”

When lives hang in the balance, the time it takes to summon up the courage might be too late for you to act. Meanwhile, the brave have rescued who they can. Summoning up courage, however, means you’ve probably run more than one scenario through your brainpan, hoping for one that allows you to rescue all of them and not die yourself.

Personally, I like the thought of having a plan before I jump.

“I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It's when you know you're licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what.”

-- Harper Lee

Where do you get value in your life?

True happiness. If you constantly strive to be truly happy always and in all things, regardless of your circumstances, you will never feel worthless.

Would you rather have someone be totally honest with you or totally loyal to you?

I’d rather have an enemy I can trust, than a friend I can’t.

Reader comment: Kinda sounds like the oath to join the mafia.

My reply: Indeed.

Do you think reality TV shows full of conflict changed how people in society interact with each other?

As did soap operas. People are too dense to grasp reality, so they grasp what the media says "reality" is. They end up treating each other as if they’re part of a “reality” show. In reality, people really get hurt, really try to commit suicide, really try to kill someone, and they can really die.

There is enough drama in the real world. It amazes me that people have to search it out in the media. If you want drama, turn off the television. Tell your lover to take you like you’ve been bad. Strip off your clothes and streak the neighborhood. Wear a low-cut blouse and see if the person at checkout looks. Yeah, if she’s a girl see if she looks. If you’re a man, see if he looks. Why are you wearing a blouse if you’re a man? Drama! 

If reality is subjective, and mental illness an opinion, should psychiatry be abolished or made criminal?

Since reality is objective, and one’s opinion is subjective, psychiatry can rest easy and continue to try and assist the mentally ill.

What is the feeling of wanting to give up on someone?

Intense frustration.

“I'm not really sure why. But... do you stop loving someone just because they betray you? I don't think so. That's what makes the betrayal hurt so much - pain, frustration, anger... and I still loved her. I still do.”

-- Brandon Sanderson

Is Joe Biden an inspirational leader?

Be real. He wasn’t an inspirational congressman or vice-president, either. I’m not sure what people were thinking, making him the leader of the free world, but we are paying for it, dearly.

Who said, “learn, unlearn, and relearn”?

Alvin Toffler, 1970.

When did you feel like you had to redeem yourself?

When I first joined the military, my analysis of intelligence information went south. I was so wrong because I “used the book” instead of using good sense. I never used the “book” for analysis from that point on, and I was better for it. I put myself in the position of the enemy and contemplated my next move. I don’t think other intelligence agencies appreciated me pooh-poohing their analysis or blatantly telling them they were wrong.

What is the most meaningful and/or rewarding job you have had?

Almost 23 years in military intelligence, as a significant part of our deterrence program against nuclear war.

Is it a good thing to expect credit for what you are doing?

If your ego needs to be stroked, sure. I expect to be paid for the job I do, and I do the best I can at what I do. The opportunity to perform work is its own reward.

“I wanted to find a workplace where I could fit in and just be myself. I wanted work that was meaningful and to receive credit for the work I did. I wanted a family.”

-- Ellen Pao

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