Questioning Quality, Modesty, Goals, Gifts, and Wisdom

 

"Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of intelligent effort."

-- John Ruskin

Do people really care if literally everything, anything, all things, something, and whatever is done properly?

I do, but it’s the military in me. If you’re going to do something, you might as well do it right, that way it doesn’t have to be done again. Besides, if you don’t do some things properly, people can die.

What is a witty answer to, “How old are you?”

1. Old enough to spank you.
2. You can call me “Daddy.”
3. Why? Are you interested?
4. Old enough for you.

How do I remove an uncomfortable feeling right after I hear or read someone answering my question when they sound very rude?

Read your question and see if you brought it on yourself. Tell them that it sounded a bit rude. Some people, like me, have no filter.

Why do people test my thinking so easily?

Because you make it so? If it bothers you, make it more difficult. Take them into the deep end of the pool, and see if they can keep up. In this way, you’ll be testing their thinking. People, in general, are pretty shallow, even when they think they’re deep.

Is it bad to get other people's opinions on things? Why or why not?

No, it’s just an opinion. You have the freedom to accept it or not. Other opinions help us consider points we may not have considered.

“You are not entitled to your opinion. You are entitled to your informed opinion. No one is entitled to be ignorant.”

-- Harlan Ellison

How do you say “what’s up” in a nice way?

“What’s up?” is already a pretty nice way to ask.

Why do some people dislike modesty (particularly in dress)?

They might live by the motto: “If you have it, flaunt it.” One of the issues with this motto is, most people like to think they have it when they so very don’t. Personally, I try not to judge. But, some people make it very difficult not to. Modest dress is not necessarily, a bad thing if you're trying to raise the bar.

How does food satisfy social needs?

A “grumbling” stomach is socially unacceptable, and how you eat your food says much about your “social” upbringing or training.

Is it okay to be 27 and feel like a failure, lost, and unemployed?

Only if you’re okay with it. You are still at an age where this can be turned around, but you have to work on finding a path by accomplishing something, like getting a job. Any job.

If you can manage to do these simple tasks, you are on the road to finding yourself. But, first, strive to be truly happy always and in all things, regardless of your circumstances.

What is one thing that you always judge people on?

Manners. I can’t help myself, I’m a son of the South.

"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."

-- Suzy Kassem

Will most likely a success lead to another success?

Most likely, yes. When one attains a goal, they generally find another goal to attain, because of the satisfaction they get in doing so.

I'm 25 years old. I can't control myself. How can I start taking responsibility for my own actions and stop blaming others?

You need to learn how to stop and think before you act. Keep your mouth shut and your ears open. Understand that you get more admiration from people by owning your own mistakes than pawning off the responsibility that people readily see. You are fooling very few people. Speak when spoken to, and only then if you have something intelligent to say. Keep telling yourself that, at 25, it’s time to start growing up.

If you fail at any of these, join the military. Unless you're a total loss, they’ll ensure you learn it. 

What are the consequences of avoiding criticism?

Creating crap.

What are the downsides of being afraid of failure? How can it limit people?

Being afraid of failure can make you afraid to even try. If you do try, you will tend to overthink issues because of your fear of failure. The upside of failure is the opportunity it presents to find out why you failed, learn from it, and fix the issues. It isn’t that we fail, it’s what we do with the failure that matters most. Learn from it, rise above it, and move on.

What are the weaknesses of a proud person?

Their own pride. The proud are, generally, not as strong as the humble. The humble have so much less to lose. 

"Pride is an admission of weakness; it secretly fears all competition and dreads all rivals."

-- Fulton John Sheen

Where does intuition come from?

Trial and error, failure and success, winning and losing, living life to the fullest, and paying attention to all of it. 

Why do people fail to become rich with their own businesses?

Lack of business knowledge and acumen. An inability to persevere in the face of obstacles, bad money management, not enough capital to get through the first two years of the “make it or break it” period, and, last but not least, incurring more debt at the beginning than the business can cover. These, last two are why most restaurants fail, notwithstanding food taste and quality. 

How do I know what my gift is?

Surprise! You don’t. Live your life to the fullest, which means trying everything, and your gift will, most probably, present itself. But, you have to live life.

What is the reason why some people say "I don't want to be liked"?

They are more focused on getting the job done than being liked.

Can you explain what it means to be yourself around someone?

Don’t try to impress them by being someone you’re not. The vice president of a company hired me because he wanted someone that “wouldn’t blow smoke up his ass.” He was tired of all the “yes” people and those telling him only what he wanted to hear. He knew with my military intelligence background, my ethics would prohibit me from giving him anything but the brutal truth. He wanted me to “be myself” around him. This was no problem for a guy with no filter.

“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.”

-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

What can be done if someone asks for too much money?

Say no. Hey, this is pretty easy.

Is there a reason why some people are wiser than others?

Lived more life, learned from more mistakes, listened more actively, watched absolutely everything, and could make sense of all of this.

What does “Even a fool is thought wise when he keeps silent” mean?

If somebody you don’t know keeps their mouth shut, regardless of what’s going on around them, one assumes they are listening, paying attention, or biding their time. Any one of these can be thought of as wise, in certain circumstances. A wise man listens before he speaks, while a fool speaks before he listens. 

How do you know if your child will be successful in college?

You don’t. But, it would be a good bet if they were successful in high school.

Why do people say they have no weakness but everyone has one?

They lie, they don’t know, or they’re stupid. I’d think they’re lying to impress. Too bad they don’t understand that the lie is so transparent.

“To share your weakness is to make yourself vulnerable; to make yourself vulnerable is to show your strength.”

-- Criss Jami

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