Questioning Obsessions, Regrets, Offense, Value, and Betrayal

 

“It is never too late to make things right, or at least better.”

-- Supergirl

 

What are you most obsessed with?

Nice breasts… or, beautiful legs. It’s a toss-up.

How can conflict destroy values and norms?

Conflict with a “personal” enemy destroys nothing but their ability to be a friend unless that conflict costs money, in which case it will affect “values.” If the values are affected enough, the “norms” will suffer as a consequence. We see this with countries involved in support of the Russia/Ukraine conflict. Someone has to pony up the cash for materials and weapons, and it usually comes from taxes levied on the people in those countries.  

How do we protect our conscience?

Don’t do anything bad that will cause it to bother you.

What does it mean when you say someone is free and dumb?

It depends on which version of history you tout, real or fake, or whether you’re being taught to read, or do mathematics. It would seem the majority of students in the United States are suffering from being “free and dumb” due to indoctrination taking the place of being educated in the basic curriculum.

What are the consequences of being too humble? Can people take advantage of you if you are too humble?

Are we discussing humility or stupidity? There is a difference. Someone trained in martial arts can be very humble while taking you apart.

“True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.”

-- Rick Warren

What does "living a successful life" mean?

Striving to be truly happy always and in all things, regardless of your circumstances. This is true success in life, and we should learn it early in life so, regardless of where we end up, we are truly happy. Besides, it just pisses people off if you’re constantly smiling.

What are the reasons why people might regret making major changes in their lives?

Fear of change.

What's the most valuable lesson you've learned from a failure?

Perseverance. Failure is simply life taking the opportunity to lay down a lesson for you. You can take up the challenge or walk away. Both choices say much about who you are. If you take up the challenge, be ready to work at it until you attain the goal.

What are your weaknesses and difficulties?

My weakness is higher mathematics. My difficulty is being a caregiver for my aging mother. 

Is it possible to regret choices you’ve made in life without regretting the life you‘ve lived with those choices you now regret?

I have regretted many choices, it is how we learn to live. I certainly don’t regret living this life and making questionable choices. Wasting 25 years of my life with a woman who never loved me was a regrettable mistake, but, it taught me much about relationships. This is an education I will take into the next life and beyond.

“If I'm sincere today, what does it matter if I regret it tomorrow?”

-- José Saramago

Do I need to reword everything I say in case someone takes it out of context and gets offended?

People are basically stupid. I’m certainly not responsible for the League of the Perpetually Offended being offended perpetually. It is their choice to waste life on bullshit they choose not to understand. I have no filter. I’m reminded of this often, but it serves the truth very well. Choose your words carefully, but never hold back from saying what you feel.

How accurate is this (anime-sourced) quote in your opinion "If there is one person in this world, even if it is only one person, as long as someone believes in you, then you will be saved."?

It depends on how big the gorilla ripping your legs off is, I suppose.

Should a person be forced to accept something that’s wrong because the majority accepts it?

Absolutely not. If it’s wrong, then the majority is wrong. Accepting it makes you wrong. Never be afraid to voice a contrary opinion, especially in the face of insurmountable odds. It defines who and why you are to those around you.

What turns a kind, gentle, generous, forgiving, honorable, compassionate, and empathic individual into a cruel, ruthless, sadistic, and heartless monster? What could possibly be the cause of such a huge turn?

A weak mind. 

What are the dumbest arguments you can think of?

Any argument to change real history to some kinder, gentler, story goes beyond dumb. History is what it is. The victor of war writes the history, but it doesn’t reflect what really happened. If the Civil War was fought to free the slaves, to end slavery, then why was the Emancipation Proclamation signed three years after the war started? It would make more sense for the Proclamation to start the war, not to end it.

"When you argue with a fool, people hear two jackasses braying at each other."

-- Unknown

I had created an imaginary world where what I would feel would mean something for me to grow stronger. What was I suffering from?

Low self-esteem.

What is worth having?

True happiness. It is sustainable, since it is only a choice, and it will remain sustainable until the choice changes, which would be counterproductive. Anything good that is sustainable is certainly worth having.

What do you say about being humble and honest?

That would be a rare person, indeed.

Why is it okay to feel bad/dumb/wrong? or it is not okay to feel something that?

If we don’t have these feelings we will continue down this path without realizing we are bad, dumb, or wrong. Guilt is an insidious teacher.

If you lack common knowledge, are you dumb?

Not if you have a Ph.D. in rocket science.

“The more you look at 'common knowledge', the more you realize that it is more likely to be common than it is to be knowledge. No real knowledge is common.”

-- Idries Shah

 Why do people treat me like dead to them?

Why do you hang around people who treat you this way? I’d be looking for fewer “stuck-up” people to hang with.

What is wrong with me? I’m happy when people around me are unhappy.

You have issues. Where ever you are, stay there.

When has your gut instinct ever betrayed or failed you?

My 25-year failed marriage. My “gut instinct” was betrayed by my penis. I stopped listening to my penis and have been happier ever since the divorce.

How long is 1 action?

As long as it takes. 

Is blind optimism helpful in achieving success in life?

No. Because it’s blind it can fail you when you really need it. Better to base optimism on what you know, rather than running into a burning building with no escape plan. Knowledgeable optimism is so much better.

"Many of us delude ourselves with the thought that if we could stand in the lot of our more fortunate neighbor, we could live better, happier, and more useful lives. . . . It is my experience that unless we can succeed in our present position, we could not succeed in any other."

-- Helen Keller

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