Questioning Rights, Emotions, Fear, Humility, and Hope

 

“When filling in an application form, it is clear that you should stick to the truth. In all cases, if it is found that you have lied when filling in an application form then that is a reason for dismissal. Few employers check educational qualifications and professional qualifications. This meant that in the past people were being employed to carry out jobs that they were not necessarily qualified to do. Companies now exist to check out CVs and application forms so honesty is the best policy.”

-- Karen Lee, Employment Law: Revised Edition

What comes to your mind when you hear about employer responsibility and employee rights?

“Employment Law” seminars.

Can being greedy result in the failure of a person?

If they’re greedy, they’ve already failed as a person. Too many of us practice greed, not realizing how harmful it is to our souls. Better to be selfless always and concern ourselves with our fellows, strive for true happiness always and in all things, regardless of our circumstances, and stop expecting money to bring us what we want in life. True happiness can’t be purchased. It is a choice. 

Is Elon Musk the most influential person in the world?

I’d say he’s working on it. Right now he’s the most controversial.

Why do some people have a stronger inclination to show mercy than others?

It depends on who they have a choice to show mercy to. Some people are just looking for an opening, like mercy, before they cut your throat.

When does a person reach their full potential in something they wish to achieve?

They achieve it. If they haven’t reached their full potential, then they set the bar too low.

“Always dream and shoot higher than you know you can do. Do not bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself.”

-- William Faulkner

The last two days I felt Randomly sad. I consider myself a happy person and usually social, but I didn’t feel like talking to anybody. There is no reason for me to be upset, why am I like this? How can I fix it?

Try meditation and introspection. Only you can answer why you feel this way.

Why is everybody obsessed with carving out their identities when we are all as mutable as water?

We are, for better or worse, individuals. As individuals, we follow our own path, with our own code of ethical conduct. We enjoy being “mutable as water” as much as we enjoy being who we are, as individuals.

What did you learn from your twenties?

Sex rocks!  It was great before, but the women over 20... my God!

What should I do if I feel guilty for living abroad whilst my disapproving mom in her 70s is living with my very elderly, bedridden grandmother? I support their care financially and visit them. It feels like a choice between my life and their will.

I’m the caregiver for my elderly mother. I’m approaching 70 years of age. I wish someone else had the responsibility for mom so I can live the rest of my retired life having some fun. But, she gave me 18 years of her life, I can give her 18 years of mine.

You provide financial support, more than most people do. You still have a choice between living your life and what they want. Your mom made her choice, now you need to make yours. Go live your life. When your mom is bedridden, it will be your time to step up. It is what children do as payback.

Author's comment: Tony, thank you for your reply. It makes sense. I am sorry you are stuck in this position. It is very noble and I admire your commitment. I hope in time you will find an alternative way so you can get to live your life a bit too. Best wishes!

What do you do if you are afraid that you lost too much time to realize your dream?

Fear will prevent you from working twice as hard to attain your goal.

“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing. ”

-- Walt Disney

Do you have to agree with something to enjoy reading it?

No. I read all kinds of crap I don’t agree with. You have to know your opposition.

How do you tolerate or even respond to a person you've known a long time who betrays his own principles, values, and morals? Someone who preaches all the right things, but says and does repulsive and bad things himself.

Face to face is the best tact where friends are concerned. Let them know what you see and how you feel. They may not know, or they may know but need someone to help them overcome, or they might just need to become who they are and stop being hypocritical. Either way, your honesty might be the impetus for change.

How can you describe someone without them being present?

It depends on how well I know them. If I know them well enough, it’s pretty easy.

Is it accurate to say that heroes are individuals who turn ideals into reality?

Heroes sometimes don’t even think about ideals. Heroes, many times, overcome their fear at the moment, and find the courage, they might not know they have, in order to save someone else. True heroes tend to shun the limelight. They will deny they did anything special. 

Are you afraid to disagree with your spouse?

Nope. After 25 years of hell, we got a divorce.

“In some ways, we will always be different. In other ways, we will always be the same. There is always room to disagree and blame, just as there is always room to take a new perspective and empathize. Understanding is a choice.”

-- Vironika Tugaleva

Can you think of an example of someone being humble about themselves?

I would, humbly, think of myself. I try to practice humility throughout the day. Like true happiness, I strive to be truly humble about myself always. It seems to be getting easier. Of course, the Dalai Lama has me, and most other people, hands down, not that it’s a competition.

What are the negative effects of being too humble for your own good in life or social relationships with other people?

I would think a Tibetan monastery might be an effect. 

Is life inherently meaningful, or do we need to create meaning for ourselves?

Life, itself, is meaningful. Without life, there would be barren planets with nothing but rock. What we create for ourselves, however, is not “meaning” in life. We already have that. What we create is our destiny. Every breath we take, every thought, every action, and everything we are, creates our ultimate destiny. From past lives to future lives, what we are has plotted our path through multiple existences.

Can playing video games make you more heartless?

Probably so, if you’re a weak-minded dweeb playing heartless video games.

What is the proper etiquette for receiving cash gifts?

Thank them for their thoughtfulness, and advise them that you selflessly donated the funds to a worthy cause. I send cash gifts due to the cost of mail. If the recipients choose to donate it, once it gets in their hands they may do with it as they wish. I would prefer people donate money as my gift, rather than gift me something useless that I will re-gift to Goodwill. 

"If you want to make an ordinary man happy, or think that he is happy, give him money, power, flattery, gifts, honours. If you want to make a wise man happy - improve yourself!"

-- Idries Shah

How do I get rid of that tired/lazy feeling when trying to do work/projects at home?

Understand that your home is a reflection of who and what you are.

How can people with emotional issues regain control over themselves and their lives?

To a point. Real “control” requires confronting and coming to terms with the emotional issues in their lives. 

What is your opinion on the term 'too intellectual'?

Not “smart” enough.

What are the consequences of a person being rejected by his or her teacher in front of everyone?

The teacher should be checking six. In this day and age, the teacher’s future health might be in question. 

Does motivation ever come by itself?

The fact that I have to do something, comes by itself. I have to work on motivation.

“Of course, motivation is not permanent. But then, neither is bathing; but it is something you should do on a regular basis.”

-- Zig Ziglar

Is having an uncaring attitude about other people, your neighbors, and your community, a sign of willful ignorance, or something else?

It certainly can be. It can also be a sign of being a willfully selfish asshole who has absolutely no reason to show a caring attitude for anything, much less other people, neighbors, or their community. It’s all about them. I have real money that says these people probably don’t vote, serve in the military, or have jobs as first responders, either. In for a penny, in for a pound. Just saying.

Do you think hope actually exists, or did we just create it to have something to believe in?

Hope is a product of faith. If you have faith that people will search, then you have hope that they will find.

How can you help someone find their purpose post-retirement?

If they’re retired, they are capable of finding their own purpose. If they can’t, then, it seems to me, they don’t really want to. Think about it. They lived through, minimum, 40 years of working their ass off, and you think you need to help them find purpose?

How come there's a huge transformation from your 20s to your 30s?

I just hate growing up.

What is the most effective way to motivate another person? What do we misunderstand about motivation?

It’s hard to motivate someone to do what they don’t want to do. So, it stands to reason, they will be more motivated to do what they want to do. You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make them drink… unless they want to. Find the reason that will make them want to. They need to have a reason and a desire to do something for themselves or others. Look at the definition of motivation:

“The reason or reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular way. The general desire or willingness of someone to do something.”

-- Oxford Languages

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