Questioning Leaders, Grokking, Silence, Purpose, and Belief

 

"Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe."

-- Gail Devers

Why is leadership an "action" and not a position?

Leadership is a position, but very few “leaders” are truly prepared for the action it requires. People need to appoint leaders who have shown a true ability to lead, not just hold down positions that “say” they can. There is ample evidence in the U.S. government that incompetence keeps moving forward when the people would be better served by retiring them from any position of responsibility.

Is it possible for things to be better under a new leader?

If things were better under a previous leader, they can certainly be better under a new one.

Is it possible to change what you want to be when you grow up?

Yes, but, since I’m almost 70, it will have to wait for the next life. I’ve already changed four times in this one.

How often do you make a moral compromise?

I’m a man. I’m from Mars. So, every time I meet a woman, there is a moral compromise.

Should I ask for help more often?

You can ask for help as often as you need it, but you should be working toward self-sufficiency. Sooner or later you will need to move forward from “needing” to “helping” others. Move from asking questions to answering them.

“When I was a child, I was speaking as a child, I was led as a child, I was thinking as a child, but when I became a man, I ceased these childish things.”

-- 1 Corinthians 13:11

What does it mean when someone says “I’m just grokking on you”?

I have no idea, but it sounds nasty, to me. I’d tell them to knock it off, in lieu of getting punched.

Is it bad to lie on your back and eat?

Is it bad to drink upside-down? Yes! Same for food. Your muscles assist gravity in moving food down where it's supposed to be. If you lie flat on your back, head on the floor, you risk choking since gravity doesn’t work so well sideways. At least put a pillow or two behind your head to give your body a fighting chance. Truth be known, it’s probably a lot easier for the body to “blow chunks” and “projectile vomit” than to swallow. All you have to do is open the valve, let it blow, and hope you don’t lose your eyesight in the process. I understand it takes some training for our astronauts to eat in space. Space is one place you really don’t want to vomit.

Can you give an example of raising something to a power?

Does an idiot count?

What are some ways to acquire motivation in life and how can it be sustained over time?

Acquire a goal you want, and then learn the perseverance to attain it. If you don’t learn perseverance you will sustain nothing.

What is the definition of "try and fail"?

You try something and you fail at it. Is this another trick question? If you try and fail, you find out why you failed and continue trying until you succeed. It isn’t that you tried and failed, it’s about what you do with the failure that gives the exercise meaning.

“I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.”

-- Thomas A. Edison

What are the benefits, disadvantages, and consequences of having or not having principles in life?

A benefit is that no one with any integrity will expect anything from you. The disadvantage is that no one with any integrity will expect anything from you. The consequence is that you never have to think anyone will give a shit about expecting you to do anything.  Lucky you.

What is the definition of silence? Why is it important to know the definition of silence?

The absence of noise. It is always important to know the opposite of things, in this way you can judge change if it occurs.

What is the best way to defend a claim in a debate?

Use factual and incontrovertible information as your defense. In this way, their only argument will be based on transparent bullshit. You will not only educate but win the debate, as well. 

Do atheists have morals and ethics?

Yes, and they have faith in their belief, as well. 

What does it mean when you are over-defending?

It means the enemy will have to wipe you out to win. The Alamo was over-defended. Ukraine is over-defended. If someone accuses you of over-defending, they are expecting you to give them a chance for them to make you lose. This is a football coach telling his losing team to let the opponent have a goal. In a game or war, there is a winner, a loser, or a tie, but you always “over-defend” your line, if possible.  You never lose faith, and never lose hope. God bless the Ukrainian people who are over-defending against “insurmountable” odds.

"A participation award does not mean you won. It means you are still a loser. But thanks for participating."

-- Unknown

Can we have expectations without intentions?

Do you intend to have an expectation?

Can a person be my purpose in life?

Yes, but how sad is that, for both of you? They are your purpose in life, and they allow you to live it. I’d like to think both parties have other purposes in life that they can share with each other. You know, things to talk about, other than a one-sided conversation. “You’re my purpose in life, so tell me about your day. I spent all day waiting for you to come home so I can dote on you, my purpose in life.”

No. Oh, hell no.

What's something an atheist would never say?

“God bless you!” It just loses something.

Is it possible to live without doing anything?

Yes, but sooner or later you’ll have to change your clothes after lying in your own waste. But, wait, you won’t be eating, so waste isn’t a problem. You will be breathing, though, and that is doing something. I take it back. No, you can’t.

What are some possible reasons why the young generation might lack confidence and motivation?

For the most part, the older generation got lazy, self-centered, just didn’t give a damn, or all of the above.

“My grandfather once told me that there were two kinds of people: those who do the work and those who take the credit. He told me to try to be in the first group; there was much less competition.”

-- Indira Gandhi

How can you create a business that is aligned with your personality and successful in 2022?

And, you’re asking this at the end of September? If your personality is aligned with the “oldest profession” you have two weeks to get up and running. I’ll still only give it a 50/50 chance. I mean, really, three months? The girls had better be talented.

What is the easiest way to change a gossiper?

Gossip about them, not too loudly.

How can the belief in something make it happen?

It can’t. It can be coincidental, perhaps, but, what will be will be, regardless of your belief. I believe in a God figure. This doesn’t mean that my “belief” will make it true. If God exists, God has always existed. My belief had nothing to do with it. My faith in that belief, however, might pay me dividends down the road, if I’m right.

What does it mean when somebody does a genuine good deed for you but later uses that good deed against you in an argument?

It was not a “selfless” good deed. He does “good deeds” to use as ammunition. Give credit where credit is due, not to this person.

I have been deemed mentally incompetent. I seem to be able to talk about ordinary things. But it feels like I have damage from psychosis. What would be a good thing for me to learn and become aware of and retain if possible?

Try this out:

It Is What It Is Until It Isn’t

“Reality is what it is, and what it isn’t, it isn’t.

Sometimes, what it is it isn’t, and what it isn’t, well... it is.

Other times it is nothing, and then it isn’t anything.

But, if it's nothing, it isn’t, and if it isn’t anything, it is.

Naming "nothing" makes nothing something;

Therefore, whether it is or it isn’t, it must be,

Because even nothing that isn’t, already is.”

Just saying.

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