Questioning Value, Morale, Obsessing, Riches, and...

“You become what you think about all day long.”

-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Does the right person always have to sacrifice in a relationship or for a partner/boyfriend/girlfriend even for some benefits?

There are degrees of sacrifice, and I’m not sure what benefits you’re discussing.

What are the major reasons managers fail in positions like yours?

They think they’re all that. Manage, and leave your ego in the car. The business comes first, the people (the team) come second, and you bring up the rear, at third, if you’re lucky. It is what you get paid the big bucks for. Don’t worry about getting credit for doing your job, give the credit to those on the team who gave it all.

What would you like to do for fun?

If I answered this, I’d be banned from the site.

Do people value more practical things today?

When money gets tight, people become more practical about what they do and what they purchase. A good used car is better than pumping out all the money for a new one and the insurance to protect the poor investment.

Where does the mind come from?

Awareness. I think, therefore, I am.

“Biology gives you a brain. Life turns it into a mind.”

-- Jeffrey Eugenides

Why is it difficult for people to be persistent in succeeding?

There is too much else cluttering up our lives to focus on just attaining our goals. Succeeding, on the other hand, is making the simple choice to be truly happy always and in all things, regardless of your circumstances. Because it is a simple choice, persistence isn’t really required. If your choice doesn’t change, your happiness is sustainable throughout your life.

What makes people frustrated the most, money or lack of knowledge?

Money. People are too ignorant to miss the knowledge.

What will be the effect of your goal on humanity if you achieve it?

Humanity won’t have to deal with my humble self anymore, as I would have moved on to the next great adventure.

What do you do when you are low on morale?

This is so rare, that I really don’t even consider it anymore. Back in the day, however, I found that curing the cause was the best solution. That would be my divorce, 22 years ago. She was the cause, and this was the solution. Ta-da! I don’t pay attention to those bothersome things beyond my control, anymore. I simply delete them from my wheelhouse.

Which visions are worth fighting for?

Unborn children, and others who can’t defend themselves.

"Visions are worth fighting for. Why spend your life making someone else's dreams?"

--Tim Burton

What can you count as a great achievement today? Do you think you can do better?

Staying truly happy, as always. I’m not sure that being truly happier is that important, but I can probably find a way... if she’s willing.

Why do people have to go against what is clearly the best option for them?

The best option is usually less fun?

If someone saves a person’s life if that person wins the lottery, is the lifesaver entitled to some of that money?

Did they truly save the person’s life? No question? Did they save the life to get the money, or was it a selfless act? It would be nice if the person considered rewarding them, but they really haven't earned what they didn’t know would happen.

Do you think that obsessing over something will lead you to not achieve or get what you obsess about?

Yes. Obsession negates productive thought because, well, you’re too obsessed to think straight. Better if you take some time to consider a good plan of action, and then follow it to fruition.

Who is morally or ethically responsible?

People who have a good personal code of moral ethics, and will stand by them, come hell or high water.

An embodied spirituality requires an aesthetic attitude to the world that is central to self-nurturance, to the nurturance of others, and to the nurturance of the world itself. Embodied spirituality requires an understanding that nature is not inanimate and less than human, but animated and more than human. It requires pleasure, joy in the bodily connection with earth and air, sea and sky, plants and animals - and the recognition that they are all more than human, more than any human beings could ever achieve. Embodied spirituality is more than spiritual experience. It is an ethical relationship to the physical world.”

-- George Lakoff

What is the negation of the statement, "Nobody likes freezing weather"?

When you find that everybody likes freezing weather.

Can everyone be rich? Let's say everyone is living up to their full potential. Everyone has big dreams, they believe in themselves, they never give up, and they do everything it takes to be rich and successful.

Then, we will have to redefine “rich” since everybody will be on the same level. Once we redefine the term, there is a new goal to strive for and everybody not at the level of the new goal will be ordinary.

However, if everybody appreciates what they have in their life by living up to their full potential, having big dreams, believing in themselves, and being perseverant, all they have to do is make the conscious choice to be truly happy always in all things, regardless of their circumstances, and they will already be enjoying wealth beyond their wildest dreams without useless material goods or a glut of money. This is true happiness and the sign of a “successful” life.

If everybody attains this goal, it matters little if there is another goal to strive for, because everyone will be truly happy, regardless of any new goals they might choose to attain. 

What’s more important to success, talent or effort? Most people say talent. But according to psychologist and bestselling author Angela Duckworth, it is effort. What do you say?

Talent to attain a goal is worthless without the effort put forth to actually attain it.

What are the most critical skills needed to be a successful manager in your line of work?

Superior knowledge in all aspects of the job, including management, supervision, and team building.

"Get the right people. Then no matter what all else you might do wrong after that, the people will save you. That’s what management is all about."

-- Tom DeMarco

Will you believe a big liar one day could turn into a better person?

Just because they become a “better” person, doesn’t mean they can’t still lie. Becoming a better person and not lying again, would really be something.

"Even if something really is my fault, there's nothing I can do about it anyway. And it's already too late as always if there is." Can that be the right thing to think or say?

Selfish defeatist whining. If someone is at fault, it is never too late to either try and make it right or, at the very least, own it and apologize for being the cause of it.

What is an occasion where a co-worker weaponized their perfectionism at work?

If they weaponize their “perfectionism” they’re a legend in their own mind. No one is perfect. They can weaponize their “excellence” which will bring out all the other excellent “gunslingers,” from near and far, to challenge their claim. I’ve seen “weaponization” and waved goodbye when the putz was reassigned for causing discontent among the teams. When nobody wants you, it matters little how good you think you are.

What is courage for you? Have you ever been in a situation where you needed courage?

I was the lead chaplain at a regional medical center for about three years. I ran into several “end-of-life” situations where courage was needed. It is part and parcel of a chaplain’s duties.

What qualities are lacking among managers?

Thinking they’re supervisors. An employee has one reporting official, not two, or three. If I’m the supervisor and the manager goes around me to reassign one of my people, the manager and I will be going a few rounds. If it happens again, their supervisor and I will be having it out. If one of my people needs to be assigned another duty than the one I gave them from the owner, the manager needs to tell me and I will tell them, or the owner. A chain of command needs to be adhered to, or there will soon be anarchy.

“The Hierarchic Qualm: The sword kills. But the arm moves the sword. Is the arm to blame for murder? No. The mind moves the arm. Is the mind to blame? No. The mind has sworn an oath to duty, and that duty moves the mind, as written by the Throne. So it is that a servant of the Throne is blameless.”

-- Seth Dickinson

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