Questioning Traits, Liars, Guilt, Evil, Youth, and Reality

 

“I am convinced that the jealous, the angry, the bitter, and the egotistical are the first to race to the top of mountains. A confident person enjoys the journey, and the people they meet along the way, and sees life, not as a competition. They reach the summit last because they know God isn’t at the top waiting for them. He is down below helping his followers to understand that the view is glorious where ever you stand.”

-- Shannon Alder

How can I reflect the good traits of others if I don't have the ability to do so?

You don’t. Try reflecting your own good traits to others, so they can know the real you. We aren’t meant to be someone we’re not, we’re only meant to be the best of who we are. Make who you are enough for you, by being the best of who you are. 

Why was I born in that world when humans do nothing but hurt me?

You were born into the world. Why do you allow other people to hurt you?

How do you accept that somebody is better than you at something?

They are better, I accept that. To not accept it is lying to yourself about reality. Better to congratulate them for their ability and learn from them everything that makes them better.

Is there a fear of people around you being your imagination?

Not if I’m imagining them. I have a shameful imagination.

Were you a talented child or just a nobody?

Just a nobody. I’ve been trying to be a nobody ever since, even in military intelligence. I wanted to equate myself to the Men In Black:

“From now on you'll have no identifying marks of any kind. You'll not stand out in any way. Your entire image is crafted to leave no lasting memory with anyone you encounter. You're a rumor, recognizable only as deja vu and dismissed just as quickly. You don't exist; you were never even born. Anonymity is your name. Silence your native tongue. You're no longer part of the System.”

-- Men In Black (1997)

Why does every time something happens to me the exact same thing happens to my friend like literally anything?

Either your friend is copying you, or he should put some distance between you. God forbid, you should lose a limb, your sex drive, or die.

What do you call someone who blames others for their own actions?

Liar.

What does “you're like a mom to me” mean?

You are “nurturing” them. I had a young lady tell me I had helped make her into the woman she has grown to be. This, for me, was a validation of mentoring. It is what a parent might hope to hear. I hoped to hear something different, but it isn't easy to mix summer and winter.

Can AI be programmed to have a sense of humor?

Probably, but timing is going to be difficult. Humor and comedy are tough nuts to crack for humans, much less AI.

How can I know if a person is lying? I am interviewing someone for 4 hours and I want to see if he's telling the truth or lying. How?

Lies are superficial, for the most part. If you feel something is a lie, ask specific questions about it. Then, go about validating their answers to the specific questions. When you validate the who, what, when, where, and why, of your specificity, you will know if they are lying or telling the truth. This is difficult when interviewing someone with an intelligence background, however. Generally, their lies are deeper and they will use “classified information” as their excuse not to answer specifics.  Interrogation is difficult, but not impossible.

“There is beauty in truth, even if it's painful. Those who lie, twist life so that it looks tasty to the lazy, brilliant to the ignorant, and powerful to the weak. But lies only strengthen our defects. They don't teach anything, help anything, fix anything, or cure anything. Nor do they develop one's character, one's mind, one's heart or one's soul.”

-- José N. Harris

Is a lack of awareness more likely to shorten people's lifespans?

More than likely. If a guy runs past you and on the back of his shit is printed “Bomb Disposal: If you see me running, try to keep up” and you laugh, you probably have a lack of awareness, and you'll probably die.

Why are losers mad and winners calm?

A sore loser doesn’t understand that failure is simply an opportunity for them to become better. They should compete more for a measure of where they are, than for any title. People who compete for titles require their egos to be stroked. God forbid they ever grow old. "Winners" get an award for attaining the goal of being the "temporary" best. There will always be someone trying to be better.

I'm struggling with forgiving myself for past transgressions. Why can't I let go of my guilt?

Guilt is the reminder. Guilt is the way we teach ourselves not to do it again. You can try to make it right, apologize, and do other penance, but you really can’t shake guilt as a reminder. 

Do you feel you have freedom or just feel free-ranged?

I retired from the military in 1994 and I’m still fighting domestic socialism of my own volition, so I must have freedom.

Why do some people just "look up" to those who have made it instead of "making it" themselves? Are those people nothing more than sheep following the biggest sheep, wasting their lives praising someone else?

Some people have issues they can’t overcome. They don’t, necessarily, “follow” the biggest sheep as much as they show admiration for ability. In the very true words of Dirty Harry:

“A man’s got to know his limitations.”

-- Harry Callahan

Can a person find meaning in life without believing in free will?

Communists do it all the time.

Why are footballers, good role models?

We seem to be always putting athletes on trial for violence (domestic and otherwise), drugs, and the like. Many athletes are worth our adoration, but let’s not group them all as angels.

When is it okay to be just a little evil?

Sex comes to mind.

Who is the luckiest person and do you consider yourself lucky, and how did you determine that with evidence? 

I don’t believe in luck. I believe in cause and effect. I believe my life has gone well, not the way I thought it would, but it did go well. I have had three jobs I have been very proud to have been a part of. I have two children I am very proud of, and two grandchildren I am also proud of. I retired early and came back to work a couple of years later because my boss asked me to. As I approach 70, the only change I would make in my life is the woman I married. Marriage is not a one-sided partnership. I learned to make the choice to strive for true happiness always and in all things, regardless of my circumstances. Few people can actually do this. I will move forward into the next life knowing I have loved many people, have been very happy, and have made all the right choices… but one, and even that one gave me two great children. I really have no regrets.

Do you believe that you can change your mindset, personality, or level of intelligence?

It is a simple choice. Choose to change, and then make it happen. I’m pretty happy with my personality, but I change my mindset occasionally, and my intelligence changes daily. 

“The Only Constant in Life Is Change.”

-- Heraclitus

What are the social values of youth?

Do they actually think there are social values as a youth? Don’t steal. Don’t burn your city down. Don’t mug people. Don’t shoot police. Okay, so one value is that they’re young enough to learn about social values. When they get into their 20s they can start choosing which values suit their personal code of moral ethics if they decide to have some, and they’re not in prison. 

What are some things you worry most about in your life?

My mother is almost 90 years of age. Her memory is going, and her heart just got a stint due to a 90% blockage.  I worry most about her.

What are the differences between normal smart people and exceptional geniuses?

“Smart” people generally have more common sense. If you find a genius that is also very smart, you have found an exceptional person. They are very rare, however.

You have chosen to have high moral principles. It means you have chosen to live by a personal code of good moral ethics, and will stand by your code through thick and thin. Sometimes doing what’s right isn’t very popular, but having integrity means you will always do that which is right, regardless. Integrity and ethics define who and why you are to those around you. They are important values to nurture.

Why do people shush one person and then let another t talk about something they don't know is true without finding out the facts from both sides and they favor the one who is assuming that they are right just because they consider one person better?

People are generally moronic. I shush someone because I want to speaker to have enough rope to hang themselves, without interruption.

How can I change to the dark side? I have been way too nice in my life and I want to be ruthless so I can get ahead in life. All the successful people I see are not good people, how do I change to be like them?

So, be ruthless and have no moral ethics or integrity. Ignore the ramifications of karma, and never expect to be truly happy in life. In this way, you might attain your goals, but don’t expect to be “successful” in life. Success in life is all about striving to be truly happy always and in all things, regardless of your circumstances. If you can’t be happy poor, you will never be truly happy with what you think your purchases will garner you.

“If you're really a mean person you're going to come back as a fly and eat poop.”

-- Kurt Cobain

Is the world in the shape it's in because people who are great at certain things can't do what they're really good at but have to do something else instead, and so the right people are in the wrong places and jobs, instead of all the geniuses work?

No. The world is in the shape it’s in because we allow people to make questionable decisions, like flying private jets to “carbon footprint” meetings and choosing to kill babies. Once you cross the line of ethically moral behavior, it is very hard to come back.

I like my teacher. I want to spend time with her. What can I do?

Define “spend time with her.” 

Will a world where imagination becomes reality come in 100 years?

Imagination becomes reality now if people work hard enough to bring what they imagine to fruition. Imagination has been becoming reality since mankind first began to think, discover, and create. One only has to look at the constantly changing architecture, technology, engineering, and medicine, to see imagination becoming reality daily.

What made you laugh a lot?

Great comedians. Robin Williams was the king. He was a natural comedian, and they don't come along that often.

Why should I be a good person?

Because it is the morally right thing for you to do. Being bad is much more exciting, however, and not always in a good way. If you lack spiritual faith, then there is no downside to you being bad. Well, there is always the possibility that you might continue to repeat this life until you learn the reason to be good, but don’t let that stop you from screwing up your life. You can be the cat on the 40th floor, contemplating suicide, not realizing he must jump eight more times to actually attain the goal.

“If you're really a mean person you're going to come back as a fly and eat poop.”

-- Kurt Cobain

(Yeah, I liked the quote so much I used it twice, and bigger.   So, shoot me.) 

 

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