Questioning Maturity, Respect, and Truth

 

“We do not grow absolutely, chronologically. We grow sometimes in one dimension, and not in another; unevenly. We grow partially. We are relative. We are mature in one realm, childish in another. The past, present, and future mingle and pull us backward, forward, or fix us in the present. We are made up of layers, cells, constellations.”

-- Anais Nin

Why are people responsible for how you feel?

They are not, and if they think they are, they give themselves way too much credit. I am the only person responsible for the way I feel and my actions. If someone thinks otherwise, they also think I am indebted to them, and I am not.

Why would people resent a person that is bettering themselves?

Jealousy.

What's the best thing you have done to give something back to society?

I gave almost 23 years of my life to help keep the world safe with nuclear deterrence and the best intelligence analysis we could provide. Little did we expect the majority of American voters would cut our hearts out 26 years later.

What are some things you realized when you got mature?

Truth, when it comes to politics and the media, is more akin to smoke and mirrors than known facts.

Should you disrespect people with a higher status no matter if they're good, bad, or both?

So, we should disrespect them for playing the game better than we did, if we even tried, which many of us didn’t? It kind of makes one not want to try, for fear of being labeled by people who just couldn’t make the grade, doesn’t it?

“I don't care if you're black, white, straight, bisexual, gay, lesbian, short, tall, fat, skinny, rich, or poor. If you're nice to me, I'll be nice to you. Simple as that.”

-- Robert Michaels, MD

Why do the most real and truthful people end up single?

Wife: “Honey, does this dress make me look fat?” 

Hubby: “Uh…”

Why do people, when reaching a position of authority, feel they are entitled to respect?

They have little understanding that the position is entitled to respect, not, necessarily, the person holding the position. You should feel free to clear the air, when the opportunity arises, by explaining that you don’t have to respect the “dim bulb” holding the position, but you have to respect the position. See how long it takes for them to have an “Aha!” moment.

Which woke causes are worth fighting for?

Let me sleep on that for a couple of weeks. I’ll get back to you… maybe.

How can I delete and close down this website? I don't like people wasting their precious time on here.

It amazes me that socialists always want people to toe the socialist line and not exercise their personal freedom of choice. It would seem a simpler idea would be for you to stay away from this website.

Is it possible to forgive a person who has had an affair?

Sure, but can you ever trust them again?

“Forgiveness is not about forgetting. It is about letting go of another person's throat... Forgiveness does not create a relationship. Unless people speak the truth about what they have done and change their mind and behavior, a relationship of trust is not possible. When you forgive someone you certainly release them from judgment, but without true change, no real relationship can be established... Forgiveness in no way requires that you trust the one you forgive. But should they finally confess and repent, you will discover a miracle in your own heart that allows you to reach out and begin to build between you a bridge of reconciliation... Forgiveness does not excuse anything... You may have to declare your forgiveness a hundred times the first day and the second day, but the third day will be less and each day after, until one day you will realize that you have forgiven completely. And then one day you will pray for his wholeness...”

-- William P. Young

How do students' postures and behaviors tell us about them?

It tells us how they act around a particular set of people, but not necessarily all sets of people. They may have differing “postures and behaviors” depending on the people they are around. Getting to know them on a personal level, however, might give us much better insight into who they really are.

How can people be more truthful?

They can try not to lie. They can develop a good personal code of morally ethical conduct that is centered around honesty.

I lack confidence in myself, so I always listen to the authority, and follow their orders unquestionably, even if it means sacrificing my moral values. Will you be my shepherd?

So, let me understand this. If your children are in a burning building, you would wait for authority to get a move on? You wouldn’t run in and save your own? You never sacrifice your personal moral and ethical values. I was going to add, “especially when it comes to family and friends,” but the word “never” seems to cover that nicely. You don’t need a “shepherd” as much as you need to grow a serious pair of tungsten balls and develop your own personal code of ethical conduct that you will stand with. Even the U.S. military has a rule against following orders that violate the rule of law or armed combat (ethics and morality). 

Why did I have no self-esteem, besides depression?

Uh… “depression” isn’t really self-esteem. It’s kind of “counter” to self-esteem. Just saying.

What is the fastest way to learn: reading books or encyclopedias?

Books tend to be more “in-depth” than encyclopedias. It depends on how in-depth you want to learn. Encyclopedias are more akin to crib notes. You might learn faster, but what is the point if you don’t learn the right stuff?

“Ambient sounds, especially with words, occupy about 5-10% of your intellectual bandwidth.

By wearing ear protectors, you acoustically isolate yourself. This freed-up bandwidth can now be focused on the desired task.

It's a great deal. Just put on some earmuffs and you become 5-10% smarter.”

-- Peter Rogers, MD

Why are people so stupid in 2020?

They aren’t any smarter in 2022, but 2023 is just around the corner. Keep your fingers crossed.

Is it possible to get out of being dumb?

Yes! Learn how to be smart. Smart, by the way, has little to do with intelligence. If you are lucky enough to stumble into both, you are a rare person. Listen more than you comment. Think about what is being said, or what you read, and only comment when you have something “well-informed” to say.

Why are so many people subject to getting fooled by confidence tricksters?

They don’t take the time to think.

I'm 24 and everyone tells me that I'm so immature. How can I be more mature?

Try hanging around people that are more mature. I joined the military. Military service, even for one tour, will sober up your maturity level. Responsibility for lives, other than your own, usually has that effect.

What did you lose when you were wrongly accused of something that you never did?

My 25 years of marriage. Word to the wise: One needs to be wary of the person who pitches the loudest fit.

“Never judge someone's character based on the words of another. Instead, study the motives behind the words of the person casting the bad judgment. An honest woman can sell tangerines all day and remain a good person until she dies, but there will always be naysayers who will try to convince you otherwise. Perhaps this woman did not give them something for free, or at a discount. Perhaps too, that she refused to stand with them when they were wrong — or just stood up for something she felt was right. And also, it could be that some bitter women are envious of her, or that she rejected the advances of some very proud men. Always trust your heart. If the Creator stood before a million men with the light of a million lamps, only a few would truly see him because truth is already alive in their hearts. Truth can only be seen by those with truth in them.”

-- Suzy Kassem

Why do I think it's my duty to solve other people's problems?

Are you always wrong? It might be that it’s your duty to mentor others on how they might solve their problems. But, I’d ask if they’d like some advice before offering it. They might see you as sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong. 

What is your biggest achievement in the last year?

I convinced my mother to redo the “family trust” documents with a lawyer who knew what he was doing.

What are the attributes of a mature person?

Everyone is immature to some extent, but I rate maturity as someone who will stand by a personal set of good, moral, code of ethics, regardless of the fallout they might have to endure by doing so.

Someone does an action, which one do we use, himself or herself?

Who is doing the action, him, her, or they?

What perceptual problems do managers need to overcome with failures? How can these perceptual problems be minimized?

They need to understand what a failure or a mistake really is. Society has put a stigma on them that is misplaced. Failure s and mistakes are nothing more than opportunities to learn. If we learn nothing from them, we cannot move forward with any sense of accomplishment. This “understanding” will minimize the perception problem.

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

-- Thomas A. Edison

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