Questioning Life, Wisdom, Morality, Fate, and Humor

 

"The game of life is worth playing, but the struggle is the prize."

-- William Ralph Inge

Is life a game?

Life is a learning experience. As such, it can be construed as a “game” because you risk losing out if you don’t learn. The "game" aims to move you from this existence to the next. If you fail to understand all you should, you will remain here until you do. Call it your self-imposed “hell on earth.” Too many of us get a bad start due to our parents not teaching us that true happiness is the only true success in life. Everything we do to move forward is simply attaining goals for ourselves. But, we are supposed to be happy while we do it, even if we fail. Failure is misunderstood. Failure is simply life presenting us with another opportunity to learn. Failure, for all the negativity we lay on it, is the best way for us to learn.

How important are natural talents when it comes to learning new skills?

If your “natural talent” is learning, it can be very important. 

How do I stop myself from making a decision in the heat of the moment, particularly a decision out of anger?

Do what you just wrote: STOP. The old idea of "counting to ten" makes so much sense. Don’t make a comment, don’t say a word. Get up and walk outside. Take a deep breath, or maybe two. And then think about the decision you should make. Does it make sense, or is it out of anger? Does it make sense, or are you just trying to hurt someone?

More importantly, why is there “heat of the moment”? Try being the calming influence. Tell everyone to take a breath, and then discuss what is causing the “heat” at the moment. With discussion comes understanding, ideas, and resolution. Makes more sense than making decisions while you’re mad. You can also let the other party have their way. When their way falls flat, try not to say you “told them so.” You can ask, the next time, if everyone might try it your way.

When does an action gain meaning?

When it attains a goal or fails.

What if you only have talent and no desire? Is it still possible to be successful?

Probably, but, what’s the point of reaching a goal you had no desire to attain? I strive to be truly happy always and in all things, regardless of my circumstances. This is true “success” in life. I have the talent to follow through with this simple choice I made for my life. But, this simple choice was driven by my desire to be truly happy always. I have to strive for it, daily, which really doesn’t take much effort, but “striving” is a sign, proof, of the desire I have.

"What you lack in talent can be made up with desire, hustle, and giving 110% all the time."

-- Don Zimmer

What are some of the most common mistakes people make that prevent them from becoming wise?

Not learning from common mistakes is a big one.

Why do bad people always get away with things?

They don’t, not really. Karma will catch up with them, sooner or later. They could die and be reborn into the life they left. Kind of a “hell on earth” of their own making. If they’re pushed to their death off a 12-story roof, they might remember it happened before, in another life. And, it might happen again, and again, until they make the change to be good.

Why do people call things fake when they don't agree with them?

It’s easier than admitting you have no cogent argument.

Is effective altruism the best way to give?

Altruism is always effective when you practice the “disinterested and selfless concern for the well-being of others.” Selfless concern or giving either affects you or those you are helping. To do it any other way is simply selfish.

Can bad people change?

Yes, but it takes the right impetus for them to see the light.

“It may well be that we will have to repent in this generation. Not merely for the vitriolic words and the violent actions of the bad people, but for the appalling silence and indifference of the good people who sit around and say, "Wait on time.”

-- Martin Luther King Jr.

Is it ever okay to do something that's bad for you?

If ingesting something bad, that would normally kill you, will save your life, then you’d be an idiot not to take the “something bad”. But, as a rule, doing anything bad is never okay, regardless of how you think you can “excuse” it.

Does human behavior show that we are capable of true altruism?

Capable, yes, for some. Greed is a powerful taskmaster.

How can one face terrible life challenges in the face of bad debt?

Courage is perseverance in the face of adversity. Will anything make either of them better? Sometimes it is simply what it is until it isn’t. You are “gifted” each morning to wake up to another day in paradise and another chance to excel in life’s challenges and debt. Make the choice to strive for happiness always and in all things, regardless of your circumstances. Now, attack the worst of the challenges life has presented you. When you are done, attack another, and another. The worst that debt can do to you is make you bankrupt and homeless. So be it. You can start all over again, learning from failures because failure is the best way we can learn.

What happens to a society when morality is rejected or ignored?

The ancient cities of Sodom, or Rome.  They call the act "sodomy" for a reason.

Why can't some people be rich?

They aren’t very good at saving and investing money, or they don’t make enough to try. Most lottery winners blow through their money like there’s no tomorrow. “It’s your money, use it when you need it.” Yeah, right.

“The opposite of poverty is not wealth; the opposite of poverty is enough.” 

-- Dr. Wess Stafford

What do successful people do differently when they fail?

They critique "why" the failure happened. They understand that failure is simply life presenting an opportunity to learn. Failure is the best way we learn, and we learn from failure so we’ll be prepared if the situation comes around again.

That’s why you are the worst human being ever?

I know. But, I can’t help myself. What are we discussing?

Do you think that some things are just meant to happen, regardless of what we do?

No. Whether in nature or by the hand of man, there is always cause and effect. We made or didn’t make some choice or decision that caused something to happen. In nature, things also happen because something caused them. Change is the universal constant.

Why do we have true life?

Without true life, we couldn’t have a fantasy life.

How do I stop expecting so much from others?

Have you found expecting so much to be beneficial, or disappointing? If it’s been disappointing, why continue to expect so much? Only you can satisfy your own expectations, so stop expecting others to satisfy you.

“If you expect nothing from somebody you are never disappointed.”

-- Sylvia Plath

How do I get a challenge?

Find a beautiful woman and come on to her.

Should everything be done differently according to others?

Only if it proves to be a more efficient way. Otherwise, those “others” prove they are dimwits making change for the sake of change.

What can make someone who was once ambitious and hardworking become so lazy and numb to failure?

My ex-wife.

Why do people fail no matter the hard try?

Try attaining a goal you have skills in, and stop trying so hard.

Have you ever noticed that the more years you are around somebody the more challenging it is to be “as funny” compared to when you first meet someone or don’t know them that well? If this is true, why is that?

Never had that problem.

“Humor can make a serious difference. In the workplace, at home, in all areas of life – looking for a reason to laugh is necessary. A sense of humor helps us to get through the dull times, cope with the difficult times, enjoy the good times and manage the scary times.”

-- Steve Goodier

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