Questioning Willpower, Respect, Thanks, and Truth

“External manipulation of thoughts and actions are the main driving forces of daily reality.”

-- Steven Redhead

What is it called when you do something, literally just to do it? You don’t actually gain anything. And there’s no driving force for you to do an action or Forrest Gump across the country but you have no reason outside of you’re just able to do it?

There is always a "driving force" to do anything. Whether it is selfless or not is another question. I would think the least force you might feel is when you are “moved” to do something like Forrest was “moved” to run. Though. the intense emotion he was feeling might provide evidence of a “driving force.”

What is the difference between ego willpower and heart willpower? How can we tell the difference?

My stab at this: Ego has to do with you, and heart has to do with others.

How free is your attention?

I don’t charge for it, not anymore. When I was working, people paid me to pay attention to my profession. Now, retired, I selflessly give my attention to whatever interests me. This kind of makes me a hypocrite, yes?

What is a saying that compares someone who uses large words to appear like they know about a subject to someone who is an expert?

A sesquipedalian.

How do I avoid sounding pretentious and as if I'm exaggerating my qualities?

Don’t talk about yourself unless asked, and when asked be honest, short, and concise. Don’t embellish. State the facts.

“Like a Columbus of the heart, mind, and soul I have hurled myself off the shores of my own fears and limiting beliefs to venture far out into the uncharted territories of my inner truth, in search of what it means to be genuine and at peace with who I really am. I have abandoned the masquerade of living up to the expectations of others and explored the new horizons of what it means to be truly and completely me, in all my amazing imperfection and most splendid insecurity.”

-- Anthon St. Maarten

Do sportsmen and sportswomen get the respect they deserve?

From people who appreciate sports, probably. Otherwise, they’re just someone else who has attained a goal. Woo-hoo. They’re just people. They get what they give, just like the rest of us.

As you were becoming more successful in life, whether it be in your career, relationships, school, or health, did you notice that you encountered more envious people?

No. But, then, I gave no one reason to be envious, other than in my choice to be truly happy always and in all things, regardless of my circumstances.

How can I move on from the past regrets and mistakes I keep thinking about?

Don’t forget, just don’t dwell on them. Our past failures and mistakes are the best way we learn. The memory of them helps us to mitigate mistakes and failure when the situations crop up again.

What is the meaning of "I am not your friend"?

This is not rocket science. Understand the clue you’ve been given: I - am - not - your - friend.

Why do people tell me I don't deserve to be an adult?

Do your actions, choice, or decisions reflect a sense of immaturity in you? Do you whine, complain, anger easily, sulk, and any other action that might make them think this way? If not, maybe they’re just jealous of your “free-spirited” life. Ignore them and move on.

“Oh, to be sure, we laugh less and play less and wear uncomfortable disguises like adults, but beneath the costume is the child we always are, whose needs are simple, whose daily life is still best described by fairy tales.”

-- Leo Rosten 

How do you thank your boss for saying “thank you” at work?

“It was my pleasure.”

What are some signs that your soul is trying to teach you a lesson?

It’s called “karma” and you’ll know because whatever you did to someone else is now haunting you. Better not to do anything you need to be sorry for.

How do you know if God is teaching you a lesson?

Has the lesson presented itself? Ta-da!

What work advice would you give to the poor?

Your life is what you make of it, and if you want a life for your family, work hard at what you can find to do. Develop a reputation as a hard worker. Develop a reputation as an ethical and loyal worker. But, most of all, strive to be truly happy always and in all things, regardless of your circumstances.

How do I deal with assholes in the street?

It would depend on if they touch me or mine. Two references:

“Mississippi is a Castle Doctrine state and has a “stand your ground” law. A person who is not the initial aggressor and is not engaged in the unlawful activity shall have no duty to retreat before using deadly force if the person is in a place where the person has a right to be. The statute provides that a person acting in justifiable self-defense shall have similar presumptions in civil cases and is immune from civil suits if found “not guilty” in criminal proceedings.” 

-- MS Gun Laws | Close Quarter Combat, LLC

“Mississippi has a stand your ground law that removes the duty to retreat before using deadly force in defense of oneself or another as long as the person is not the initial aggressor and is in a place they have a right to be. Mississippi law also states that “the killing of a human being” is justifiable “in resisting” certain property crimes.” 

--Stand Your Ground in Mississippi | Giffords

How do you gesticulate "I don't care"?

Stick out your tongue. Put both index fingers on your head and then point them to the sky. If these don’t work, flip them off and write it out, “I don’t care. Understand?”

What's a good petty revenge idea that doesn't involve hurting anyone physically?

Karma will still come after you. Better karma only has one target, not two. 

What are some ways of saying thank you for your time without sounding too formal or informal?

State why you’re thanking them for their time:

This was very informative, thank you.
You’ve given me food for thought, thank you.
I appreciate you making time for me, thank you.

How should Democratic candidates campaign against fringe election-denying Republicans?

How about campaigning about doing the right thing for the country, for once, instead of making up fantasy issues and always showing your ass?

How do you know if someone has true wisdom or just lots of knowledge?

Knowledge doesn’t make you wise, living does.

“He who knows all the answers has not been asked all the questions.”

-- Confucius

How do you politely tell someone that they're giving, too much, unsolicited advice, and it's starting to get annoying?

“Enough, already. It’s becoming annoying.” You really have to be firm with the child, for it to learn. They usually don’t remember “polite” so much.

The truth is when random people ask you how you are doing, they don’t actually care. What’re your thoughts?

They don’t care. They could be asking a dog, for all they care. Truth is when you tell them how you are really doing. If, when you start to tell them, they roll their eyes, then make shit up. They don’t care. What you make up just might make their day.

Which one is correct, "write" or "writing"? Why?

I struggle with grammar, but I think they can both be right, it depends on the tense. It should actually include “written” and, “wrote” as choices. Write, writing, written and wrote. Does he write? Is he writing? Has he written? Will he write? Has he been writing? He wrote a novel? Using it in a sentence so we have some context with the “tense” helps with an answer.

When did someone’s intellectual attitude rub you the wrong way?

Any time an “intellectual cops an attitude, it rubs me the wrong way. “You’re intelligent and have an attitude. I can snap your neck. We're kind of equals.”

“Some ideas are so stupid that only intellectuals believe them.”

-- George Orwell

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