Questioning Quotes, Dreams, Charisma, Wealth, Decisions, and Want

 

“There are some values that you should never compromise on to stay true to yourself; you should be brave to stand up for what you truly believe in even if you stand alone.”

-- Roy T. Bennett

What are your motivational quotes after you graduate from your hard work, persistence, and belief in yourself?

Approaching 70 years of life, I have no plans to ever “graduate” from hard work, persistence, and believing in myself. These are all values I keep close. They help define who I am and what I stand for. But, if you expect a quote, let it be this one: “It is what it is until it isn’t, then it is what it is again.”

Is it dangerous to love too much?

If you are ready to be hurt by what or who you love, no. The danger is heartbreak.

Do people with college degrees look down on those without them?

Those would be the “intelligent” people that have no class or clue. The “smart” people understand that those people without degrees will be working for them, and these little people can make or break them, with little effort. Have respect for everyone. You truly have no idea who they are or what they are capable of. You might be working for them one day... if they’re sharp.

What do bullies derive from hurting others?

A false sense of superiority they need to cover for everything they lack to survive in the real world.

Is there a meaning to life? Is it subjective?

The meaning you give to life is up to you. Personally, I think the meaning of life is to learn the lessons life sets before us. This life prepares us for the next, and if we don’t learn the lessons now, we may be doomed to repeat this life until we do.

“Life has no meaning. Each of us has meaning and we bring it to life. It is a waste to be asking the question when you are the answer.”

-- Joseph Campbell

What's the best way to make school time fun and exciting?

Make the conscious choice to be truly happy always and in all things, regardless of your circumstances. Live life and make good friends. If school isn’t fun and exciting, either you or your instructors don’t understand the concept.

Who, in your life, has asked you about your dreams, and in what context?

Friends and acquaintances. They were curious to know what I dreamt.

How does a kid become mature as quickly as possible?

Hang around mature people, keep your ears open and your mouth shut, listen, watch, learn, and develop a personal moral “code of ethics” you will stand by no matter what.

Author's comment:  Thanks for the advice man

My reply:  My pleasure. 

How can people stop hoping for something that has already happened?

Hoping for something that already happened is evidence they aren’t paying close attention.

When you've done good things and always tried to be kind but bad things keep happening and the people who did those bad things are all doing great, how do you start, again, positively?

Stay selfless in what you do, and keep being kind. Make better choices, like staying away from those bad people. Karma will take care of them, and you don’t need to be around. Strive to be happy always and in all things, regardless of your circumstances.

Author's comment:  I'm trying. Today, I'm homeless. People I should be able to trust just proved I can't trust them. I have one true friend.

My reply:  Two.

“Selflessness. It should be the basis of every relationship. If a person truly cares about you, they'll get more pleasure from the way they make you feel, rather than the way you make them feel.”

-- Colleen Hoover

If you wanna ask someone out but you're low on “charisma” points, the only way to raise it is if you socialize more with others, what activities would you do to increase your charisma points?

Ask someone out. You can’t practice with a mirror.

How do I have a healthy long-term relationship?

Honesty, friendship, and love. If both of you use these as a foundation, the relationship starts out strong. If you continue to build with each other it will last long-term.

To what extent is hope a strength or a weakness?

More or less. It depends on the context.

Can extensive reading of all forms of literature/novels make the individual able to analyze other people's weaknesses and strengths and outmaneuver them if wish to do them harm, as well as provide creative thinking skills to their skills?

Reading helps, but watching is more realistic. Unless you are at war, however, doing them harm will bring karma down on you. When I was younger, I would frequent social settings and watch people interact. It prepared me for my Intelligence career. I continued to watch interactions throughout my career. I try not to do it anymore. The “games” we play can become addictive and dangerous. Better to just be truly happy.

Why do humans still look young in their early 40s?

Better diet, medicine, exercise, sunscreen, and the like. We have learned how to take care of ourselves.

“Youth is the mirror that tends us to the reality of our looks. The reflections of our visages that insensibly get implanted in our subconscious lend shape to our psyche to define the course of our life.”

-- B.S. Murthy

Why does having a lot of money make some people more of an asshole?

Inflated ego. I have and you don’t.

When was the last time you had an interaction that restored your hope for humanity?

Daily. I have a group of diverse friends that hang out at a cigar bar in town. We actually discuss topics. It’s kind of a concept.

Why do I get so attached when someone gives me the slightest attention?

You get “horny” easily.

If I went to random people asking them to talk with me for 5 minutes (to improve my social and communications skills), would that be weird? Should I instead find an excuse to talk?

Explain to them why you want them to talk to you. They might even give you some good pointers.

Do smart people think less of stupid people?

Try this out:

“I speak to everyone in the same way, whether he is the garbage man or the president of the university.”

-- Albert Einstein

Is it alright to enjoy both nostalgic and modern stuff in our lives?

It makes for a well-rounded and interesting individual.

What is a good decision in life?

Choosing to strive for true happiness always and in all things, regardless of your circumstances. In this way, happiness is sustainable throughout life, unless you change your choice, which would be counterproductive.

What is the most unethical thing a CEO can do intentionally?

Lie or embezzle.

How can we foster a sense of collaboration and teamwork, even when individuals come from different backgrounds and have different perspectives?

That would depend entirely on how good the team leader is. When the majority agree on a plan to move forward, a “naysayer” will be an anchor, a drag on any progress. Better to get rid of the anchors and get more people who want to paddle. The perspectives can be different, but they need to work in one direction in order to move forward.

Has anyone in history beside Jeanne Calment lived past the age of 122?

From: Ancient Biblical Lifespans

Why is it that every time I have a good idea I can follow through for a while but then quit it and move to my next idea?

You lack perseverance, the ability to follow through even in the face of negativity.

Why do we always want to buy more new things, and how do we deal with the want?

We buy more new things thinking it will make us happy since the old new things that made us “happy” we've become bored with. Filling our lives with endless crap is not happiness. You can’t buy happiness, but we think we can. Look at all the money you’ve wasted and see if it amounts to a significant investment worth the money spent. If not, here’s your answer.

My friend is about to make a terrible decision and I don’t know if it’s my place to stop it. What do I do?

You just stated the person is your friend. Are they, or are they not? Tell them what you think!

Why do I think that I can't recover? Why can't I overcome this negativity, and why am I so much against myself? 

Happiness in life is a simple choice we must make and then strive for. Strive to be truly happy always and in all things, regardless of your circumstances. It is made easier if we keep all the drama from our lives. People love to pull us down into their personal pit of misery. Deny them the chance. It is your life. You let into it what you want, not what they want. Stop being negative and miserable. Once you have made this choice, take on those issues you want to work on, one at a time.

Learn to smile. You have been waking up each morning and wasting the day. Each morning is a “gift” of life in which we are supposed to excel. Consider that the alternative, not waking up, simply sucks. 

What can be said about adolescents taking responsibility?

They are adolescents. They are supposed to be learning to take responsibility.

“Maturity is when your world opens up and you realize that you are not the center of it.”

-- M.J. Croan

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