Questioning Offense, Thoughts, Wants, and Advice

"Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin."

-- Saint Teresa of Calcutta

I want to get out of an environment, but I don't have another one to go in. What can I do?

Make one. It is what it is until it isn’t. Change what is into what you want it to be. Your path is for you to walk. If your path leads nowhere, and no other path is available, leave the path and forge a new one.

What can be a response to "You should be aware that terrific, but if this happens, don't be too disappointed"?

Reader comment: Before we get to a response, we need to improve the sentence itself. I’m not sure if this is what you meant to say, but I’ll try: “You are aware that it would be terrific, but if it doesn’t happen, don’t be too disappointed.”

Then a possible response might be: “I appreciate your advice, and I will hope for the best but promise not to be devastated if things don’t work out.”

My comment to the reader: Thank you! I thought it was just me.

What is an example of “looking to be offended by something”?

The League of the Perpetually Offended is a prime example. They will ask a question hoping for an answer they can rail against. Damn the poor person for wanting to help by proffering their humble opinion. No question is stupid. The person who asked it, on the other hand…might have a sinister motive.

What story sounds too stupid to be true?

The Bible story of Jonah and the whale. A nice parable with a good moral, but, really? Three days in the belly of a whale? Unscathed? I think not. Even as a child, I had issues with this.

Who is the best person you know/of?

Saint Teresa of Calcutta.

"Not all of us can do great things.  But, we can do small things with great love."

-- Saint Teresa of Calcutta

How smart do you have to be to know you are alive?

Smart enough to grasp the definitions of life and non-life, sentient and non-sentient, a sense of self, and toward “Cogito, ergo sum.” (I think, therefore I am.)

How come I’m smarter than everyone?

Because you’re delusional.

How do humans think in abstract ways and their brain knows what it thinks?

Thinking “out of the box” can be termed thinking in the abstract. You’re throwing away the rules, the way it’s always been done, what you know, in favor of finding a brand new concept not tried. 

What is it that's been keeping anyone from permanently giving up on life and all humankind?

Faith and hope. 

What made you laugh today?

The 18-pound cat climbed on my chest at 2:00 in the morning, kneading his claws into me, thinking it was time for me to serve him breakfast.

"In ancient times cats were worshiped as gods; they have not forgotten this."

-- Unknown

How do I accept being different?

Graciously.

Is it possible for people to get what they want every day?

If you’re filthy rich, but, how boring would that get? It negates the challenge of life. I equate this to the concept of heaven. I’m not sure I can live in paradise unless there is some daily challenge, other than snapping my fingers.

Is it possible to be too religious for atheism?

If by “religious” you mean a deist, then yes. Being an atheist negates a belief in any deity (god). 

What are your thoughts on religion and atheism?

If you’re meaning theists and atheists, both have “faith” that they are right. Faith is a belief in something for which there is little or no proof. Neither can prove their belief, but theists are betting there is something more. For the atheist, when you die you’re done. Personally, I like the idea of padding my bet.

Reader comment: But it sure takes a lot of effort to pad that bet. And that bet sure is a long shot.

My reply:  It takes very little effort, but if the “long shot” pays off… 

Reader's reply: You gotta dress up and go to church every Sunday, say prayers all the time (like before meals and bedtime), read that Bible, go to confession, worry about your sins, do missionary work, get out there and try to save souls (“preach the good news”), give 10% of your earnings to the church (“tithing”), etc. That’s a lot of effort! And you don’t even know if you’re backing the right God!

My reply: That’s “religion” not theism. Theism can be simply spiritual and personal. I abhor organized religions.

Reader's reply:  (No response.) 

How do you get your client to sign off on your work?

Do an exceptional job. They’re stupid if they sign off on crap.

"Excellence is never an accident; it is the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction, skillful execution, and the vision to see obstacles as opportunities."

-- Anonymous

Can you define guilt, shame, regret, and remorse?

Guilt is when you do something wrong. Shame is an emotion you feel from guilt. Regret is when you wish you could undo whatever it was you did wrong. Remorse is when you admit the wrongdoing, apologize for it, and ask to make it right.

How can you make $500 monthly?

Be a talentless prostitute.

How can I avoid sounding like a know-it-all when explaining something new or unfamiliar?

Ask what they know about it, and then explain that what you’re telling them is either your take on it or it has been handed down from up on high. Or, you can show them the instructions and have them read them, and then show you if what they learned is what you learned. It might turn out that you’re not all that you thought you were. We learn something new every day.

What's the best advice you've ever given to someone less important?

Never stop trying.

What do we lack in our current generation from a psychological lens?

Good sense (it was called “common sense” back when we all had some of it). The true ability to tell right from wrong, good from bad, or smart from stupid. Psychologically, we’re a total mess, and most of us are incapable of even admitting that.

“Common sense in an uncommon degree is what the world calls wisdom.”

-- Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Why do people give up easily when starting something new?

Turns out to be more complicated than they signed up for.

Do we ever feel embarrassed about our past mistakes or failures?

Mistakes and failures are simply life presenting us opportunities to learn. To be embarrassed by learning is counterproductive to attaining knowledge. If we all understood this and stopped shaming those who make mistakes or fail, we could all learn so much more.

Can you give some examples of things kids can get embarrassed about?

When their parents act like goofs around their classmates, or when they're called down by their parents in front of their friends.

What are some ways to develop opinion skills?

Voice your opinion. It really isn’t a skill. Someone asks you, “How do you like the steak?” You answer them, “It’s a bit cold for me.” You’ve given your answer, your opinion, on the steak. An opinion isn’t an argument. If they say they don’t agree with you, it was your opinion, they asked you for it, and you let them know this. To not agree with you would be baiting you for an argument in order to change your opinion about your steak being cold. Trying to change the fact would be asinine, but if they’re offended, they might try, even though they asked for your opinion. The only skill is to voice your opinion and ignore the argument. Giving an opinion is easy, ignoring that the steak is cold is a little harder.

What is it like to think without thoughts?

If you think there will be a thought. It’s a funny thing about thoughts… when you think, you have them.

“Men fear thought as they fear nothing else on earth -- more than ruin, more even than death. Thought is subversive and revolutionary, destructive and terrible, thought is merciless to privilege, established institutions, and comfortable habits; thought is anarchic and lawless, indifferent to authority, careless of the well-tried wisdom of the ages. Thought looks into the pit of hell and is not afraid ... Thought is great and swift and free, the light of the world, and the chief glory of man.”

-- Bertrand Russell

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