Questioning Karma, Ethics, Regrets, and Cowards

St. Valentine's Day Massacre

“Karma comes after everyone eventually. You can't get away with screwing people over your whole life, I don't care who you are. What goes around comes around. That's how it works. Sooner or later the universe will serve you the revenge that you deserve.”

-- Jessica Brody

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Note to my readers: I've found it interesting that an average of 10,000 people read my answers each week.  It has been this way for quite some time.  I thought that It might keep climbing, but it has leveled out.  I am still pretty humbled by the interest people show.  This means that an average of 520,000 people read my answers each year, and only a handful have a negative comment.  I must be doing something right.  Thank you all for the interest you show in reading my humble offerings each day.  I will endeavor to keep at it as long as the readership continues.  Feel free to comment on anything you read.  Comments are a way to keep me on the right path.  If there is a subject you'd like my opinion on, please let me know.  Again, thank you all! 

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How do you know if your life problems are accidental or karma?

Everything that happens in the universe is cause and effect - this, because of that. We like to call them accidents, but they all happen for reason, and it is usually a choice or decision someone made, or chose not to, or life simply presenting us with an opportunity to learn. Regardless, the outcome can be described, by some, as being caused by good or bad karma, or, perhaps, an inability to learn.

What will it feel like for you to be really talented but have little to no work ethic?

Unemployment.

What would you do if you could make one wish come true?

Go back to my marriage and wait for her to truly be in love with me before asking her to marry me, this way I will probably be happier, early on, and won’t waste 25 years of my life being used and fighting to keep it together.

Why do we like to impose our will on others?

I don’t, and anybody who tries it on me will find themselves regretting the effort.

How can practical reason help us deal with difficult ethical decisions?

Bread and butter. Ethical decisions are basically “practical” in nature. So, it makes perfect sense that practical reasoning would help us deal with ethical decisions.

"Two things fill the mind with ever-new and increasing admiration and awe, the more often and steadily we reflect upon them: the starry heavens above me and the moral law within me. I do not seek or conjecture either of them as if they were veiled obscurities or extravagances beyond the horizon of my vision; I see them before me and connect them immediately with the consciousness of my existence."

-- Immanuel Kant 

What action that you did, or initiated, that you to this day find tragic or haunting and have deep regrets about?

My 25-year marriage to a woman that, by her own admission, never loved me. Luckily, our children did not follow her lead.

How can I reduce the load of stress on myself if I was headed the production responsibility while I’m still young?

If they handed you responsibility, they must think you can handle it. Will stressing about it make it any easier? Probably not, since they already have shown confidence in you. Do the job, and prove them right. Stop stressing over what they seem to think you have shown the ability to do.

The downside is you go back to what you were doing before. If this happens, you have ample opportunity to slap yourself around when you realize the difficulty was dealing with ridiculous stress, not the job you know you could do.

What is the most misunderstood artwork?

Anything painted by a chimpanzee. We have no clue. 

How much control do other people have over your life?

Other than societal rules of law? None. And, I choose to abide by the rules of law, so that truly isn’t “control,” by my way of thinking, or by definition.

I’ve noticed lately I don’t seem to do as well at debating or arguing, (not that I like to, or it’s common.) but I feel my brain is slowing down and not thinking as fast, or I’m getting dumb or people are getting smarter. Is this a common thing?

It depends on your age, and how often you debate or argue. If you don’t use it, you lose it. I would look into one of the new “brain supplements” available over the counter. I have tried the two top brands and it seems to help my cognitive abilities stay sharp.

“You don’t win a debate by suppressing discussion; you win it with a better argument.”

-- Frank Sonnenberg

What is your opinion on the phrase "working hard"? Do you think it is necessary to have a good work ethic in order to be successful in life and work? Why or why not?

I think a good work ethic is important, but… can you imagine working hard at a task and seeing someone that does the same task expending half the effort? They have the same work ethic, but I would ask why they aren’t putting out the same effort I exert, complete twice the work, and get all that comes with being the best at what they do. They would probably look at me and state that they are very happy right where they are.

Strive to be truly happy always and in all things, regardless of your circumstances. This is true success in life. If you make this choice, then true happiness will be sustainable until you change your choice.

Why are principles and philosophy often used interchangeably?

Solid principles are based on solid philosophy. This… because of that. 

Does intelligence always lead to success?

No. You can be very intelligent and be lacking in “good sense”. Being smart and intelligent, on the other hand, gives you another leg up… so you’re on top. You need to be able to persevere in order to attain your goals. But, attaining goals isn’t a success. Being happy is life's success. So, before you start attaining goals you should already have made the decision to strive for true happiness always and in all things, regardless of your circumstances.

Do you think a person with a master’s in psychology can be trusted with their opinion on life 100%? Do you think they are more clever than anyone else?

No, and no. They don’t call it the “practice” of psychology because they are perfect. They are tweaking what they think they know every day.

How can I use the concept of justice in the philosophy of sophism to explain to my Philo teacher that it isn't really unjust to other students if I submitted my assignment late?

I tried this bullshit in a logic class. He applauded my argument, and still got a bad grade for not showing my work. Good luck.

Author's comment:  And, what was the argument?

My reply:  It was a logic class. I got all the answers right, in the class. He wanted to see my work. I told him the answers were logical. He reiterated that I didn’t show my work. I told him that was illogical, since I did the worksheet in class I must know the answers. He applauded my argument, but he needed to see how I arrived at the answers. I dropped the class because he wasn’t being logical. He applauds my arguments, but…

“Deadlines are a great antidote to insecurity.”

-- Tina Brown

Is the word "omnishambles" an accurate word to describe Donald Trump?

Are “mentally challenged octogenarian” accurate words to describe Biden?  Maybe "figurehead president" is better?  One word, huh?  How about "omnimoron"?

On the one hand, humans seem nice. They donate money, politely hold doors, help anyone who falls, and stop their car to help fix a flat tire. So, how is it that when one is attacked unjustly online, it is rare for anyone to come in and defend him/her?

Attacking someone online is cowardly, to begin with. They probably wouldn’t even think of doing it in person. To get involved with beating a coward into submission online, well, how ridiculous is that? It accomplishes nothing. The attackers are usually members of the League of the Perpetually Offended, and no matter what you say or do, they will never come around to your way of thinking. It would offend them. So why bother? Better to just ignore them and move on down the “high road” of life. 

Do we see ourselves more clearly than other people see us?

Only when I have my glasses on or I’m close up. I’m a bit myopic. Hell, other people aren’t really that clear to me, either.

How does the definition of reality change with different people?

It has to do with their perception. 

Have you ever done something really dumb and then made it worse by lying about it?

Nope. I love being able to laugh at myself. It usually helps people to be real and learn to laugh at themselves, as well. My father could never do this. He had a problem with understanding that no one is perfect.  I don't know if he ever lied about it, he just never mentioned it.  And, God forbid if you ever brought it up.

“Above all, don't lie to yourself. The man who lies to himself and listens to his own lie comes to a point that he cannot distinguish the truth within him, or around him, and so loses all respect for himself and for others. And having no respect he ceases to love.”

-- Fyodor Dostoevsky

Why does it help you to accept that you are stupid?

It tells me that so many others are really challenged, so I have little to worry about.

Why is science successful at explaining things while religion fails to do so?

Why is science always being corrected as we continually discover? It is what it is… until it isn’t. Change is the only true constant in the universe… until it isn’t.

Do you think that people who are constantly judging others are happy with their own lives?

I don’t think they’d be taking time out of their “happy lives” to judge others if they were.

What are some things that people want but can’t have? Why are those things so important to people?

I see women I want and can't have, all the time. It’s important to me because, as I approach 70, it proves the wolf is still alive.

How can we tell if we have free will?

Ignore the “STAY OFF THE GRASS” sign.

“Experts in ancient Greek culture say that people back then didn't see their thoughts as belonging to them. When ancient Greeks had a thought, it occurred to them as a god or goddess giving an order. Apollo was telling them to be brave. Athena was telling them to fall in love.

Now people hear a commercial for sour cream potato chips and rush out to buy, but now they call this free will.

At least the ancient Greeks were being honest.”

-- Chuck Palahniuk

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. 

I fervently 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