Questioning Fear, Fakes, Time, Fear, and Honesty

 

“Exile is a dream of a glorious return. Exile is a vision of revolution: Elba, not St Helena. It is an endless paradox: looking forward by always looking back. The exile is a ball hurled high into the air. ”

-- Salman Rushdie

Do leaders, forced into exile, fear for their lives?

They should.

Why do people dislike or try to cause problems towards other people they mostly may not know?

How people can do either, not knowing someone well, makes them instantly dislikeable for me. This doesn’t mean I will cause them problems, but, I will suggest to them that they’re acting like an ignorant assholes by their actions against someone they don’t really know. If their intent is to cause them problems, they will have me to deal with, as well.

Not knowing someone means you have no idea about their life, their troubles, or their misery. To judge them is wrong. To judge them, knowing nothing about them, is being a Nazi. I know many things about Nazis. I try not to judge, but, personally, when it comes to Nazis, I have no use for them. This is one reason… of many, why they deserve to be judged, and why I’m a self-admitted hypocrite.

Did you get trick-or-treaters at your home on Halloween night?

Yes, but not nearly as many as expected. Traditional Halloween is on its way out, and a new way of celebrating needs to be embraced.

Reader comment: Government controlled.

My reply: Indeed. Although, I think fentanyl coming over the border from terrorists in Mexico might have some bearing.

Reader's reply: Well stop the trafficking, don't jail the kids.

My reply: Again, I agree.

Is it normal to feel paranoid if you have anxiety? I feel like people from my past will add me, they have none of my socials and stuff but I still get worked up when anyone adds me and I'm scared of them adding my friends and stuff is this normal?

You put yourself out there, knowing this is the way of social networking. If it gives you anxiety, remove yourself from social networks. Oh, and shame on you for having friends and dragging them down with you. I’m kidding, but they also chose to put themselves out there as targets.

The way you feel is normal, but people get over it in order to socially network. 

Is it normal to experience uncontrollable self-talk?

Only if you feel it's all about you.

“Your self-talk is the channel of behavior change.”

-- Gino Norris

I recently have been hearing about fake relationships, fake friendships, and fake working. What exactly are those? What separates fake from genuine?

They aren’t real. A real relationship stands the test of time. A real friend stands with you through thick and thin. Real work gives you a real sense of accomplishment at the end of the day.

Why do people say "don't lie"? What makes them think that everyone has something to hide all the time?

Because you used “people” in your question. People, by their nature, always have something to hide.

What would you do if you are being shamed publicly and don’t know why? People are pointing and laughing at you in public. This is not anxiety this is really happening to me and I don’t know why apart from my narcissistic ex doing something.

I’d laugh along with them and ask what the joke is. When they admit it’s your ex, you can laugh harder and inform them they’re idiots for listening to anything the narcissistic moron has to say. That will probably shut them up.

Why do my partner and I experience and have experienced very similar challenges? What does this mean?

You have much in common.

Why do some people need to believe them to be the best to be comfortable?

They have no clue what true happiness is. When you lack knowledge, you fall back on bullshit. If you had made the choice to be truly happy always and in all things, regardless of your circumstances, you would care about attaining goals and bettering yourself, but you would already be successful in life because would be truly happy.

“I find it sad that too many do not understand themselves, or their potential. They don't even take the time to get to know their unconsciousness. You can truly learn so much, by simply getting to know the "you" that is behind the reality of yourself.”

-- Lionel Suggs

How can you explain this statement, “Do not waste your time lost wealth can be retrieved but time lost is lost forever”?

It is self-explanatory. Time lost cannot be retrieved, but if you lose your wealth there is a good chance of getting it back through hard work and time well spent.

A person with a noble character alues honor above self-interest, while a person with a base character values self-interest above honor. EXPLAIN?

Again, this is self-explanatory. Although, “alues honor” should be “values honor” to make it understandable.

Why are my hypocritical superiors getting away with their behavior & not getting reprimanded by the head boss? They're literally always on their phones, listening to music & excessively talking, but criticize me & other leads for talking over 3 minutes.

Find a new job. If the boss is as bad as the superiors, they don’t see the issue or the boss is an idiot. Either way, the business is probably going to suffer. It sounds to me like they have too many "superiors" with nothing to do. I’d advise the boss why you will be looking for other employment with a company that values hard work. If the boss isn’t an idiot and isn’t aware of the issues, you’ll know at that point. You can volunteer to help straighten out the issues with him, or still go find a better job.

How do I seek revenge against nature for making me an Alabamian?

It is what it is. Your revenge won’t change what you are, only you can. Move out of the state.

How do you know the difference between someone being 100% truthful and honest or just being polite and kind because they know your self-esteem is low?

They’re probably doing it in a patronizing tone of voice. This would simply piss me off. I’d rather have their honest opinion so I can face the issue, than be told placating bullshit that does nothing but make my self-esteem drop lower when I see through them.

“There is beauty in truth, even if it's painful. Those who lie, twist life so that it looks tasty to the lazy, brilliant to the ignorant, and powerful to the weak. But lies only strengthen our defects. They don't teach anything, help anything, fix anything or cure anything. Nor do they develop one's character, one's mind, one's heart or one's soul.”

-- José N. Harris

Do people who eat with their mouths open know that they are disgusting, or are they too stupid to know better?

Bad upbringing. They don’t really know how disgusting it is, and they were, probably, never parented to eat with their mouth closed. They aren’t as much stupid as they are ignorant of societal good manners.

Is it right to say 'I am not bad'?

If you aren’t bad, rock on.

How do you overcome your fear of dancing in front of other people?

Learn not to care what other people think. Be happy when everyone is not, and dance like no one is watching. If they laugh at your dancing, smile and grab their hand, pulling them onto the dance floor. Dance with them like there is no tomorrow, regardless of other people’s thoughts.

How can you give strength and courage to others without making them feel weak or dependent on your support all the time?

Mentor them on strength and courage. If you want to be the leader, then lead. If you want them to be the leader, then mentor.

What is the relationship between individualism and creativity?

If you’re “creating” something designed by someone else, you are really not showing much, if any, creativity. But, if you go out on your own and design something you thought of, this is showing your individuality in creativity. If you take someone else’s design that doesn’t fit your personal taste and redesign it to work for you, you have shown your individuality in creating something, from their work, that suits you better than their original. 

“Art is the most intense mode of individualism that the world has known.”

-- Oscar Wilde

What are some things about someone's voice that can make you dislike them instantly?

Their tone. Politicians adopt a tone that usually reeks of “bullshit” when they speak. There are those you really have to listen to and see what they do, however. Joe Manchin is a hard one to read when he speaks. You don’t know if he’s serious or if he’ll cave under pressure. Lately, he seems to cave more often than stand his ground. I’m learning to listen to how he couches things he says.

Do people hate being alone in their homes?

If they aren’t loners.

What does it mean when a neighbor ignores you but says hi to everyone else in the neighborhood?

He’s a racist, a sexist, a homophobe, you need a bath, they just don’t like you, they are shy around people they don’t know, or you’re reading too much into it. How about going next door and introducing yourself, or asking if they have an issue with you? The best way to find out if there’s a problem is to confront it.

Is there a correlation between being nice and growing old gracefully?

If you’re growing old gracefully, you’re probably being a nice person. But, when your “pipes” start to have issues you tend to get crabby.

Are there any advantages to saying what is on one's mind, even if it hurts others?

If what’s on your mind is the truth, people learn that you don’t bullshit them, where the truth is concerned. You tell them what you think, even if it hurts, and the truth usually does. People deny the truth until they are confronted with it. You might not be liked, but people will always know you won’t blow smoke up their ass when asked a question.

“The truth only hurts when you want to believe a lie.”

-- Jennifer McVey

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