Questioning Growth, Maybe, Wants, Purpose, and Feelings

 

“I don’t regret or fear my problems and roadblocks. They have made me brave and given me the opportunity to overcome them.”

-- Debasish Mridha

Can I use roadblocks as an opportunity for growth?

Absolutely! Life puts roadblocks there for you to learn how to deal with them and move forward. Roadblocks test our perseverance, sometimes in the face of overwhelming odds. Do you sit down in front of it, throw your hands in the air, whine, and give up, or do you smile and confront the roadblock or, perhaps, go around it? The roadblocks help to define us as quitters or go-getters. Which are you?

What is the difference, if any, between understanding and remembering?

Do you ever remember crap that makes no sense? You can remember anything, but whether you understand it or not, depends on how smart you are.

I'm adding superfluous words so Quora refreshes this question, but what are some of the pros and cons of taking revenge?

Revenge can make you feel better, but, then, karma has to divide its attention to spank the offender and the revenge taker. Revenge is really not our purview. Revenge is as wrong as the crime that created it, and two wrongs don’t make a right. What you end up with are two wrongs.

Is being single for most of your life considered weird or unusual?

There is someone for everyone, so it might be unusual but not necessarily weird.

Why doesn't she want me to be in her life if she wasn't interested in a romantic relationship? It doesn't make sense. I want to make friends with her.

It makes perfect sense if she’s using you. Are you really that good in bed? All that aside, be friends with her. If she doesn’t want that, then you have a choice. You can bolt, or you can use her while she thinks she’s using you. A dangerous game, but it depends on what you want out of this. Personally, I love games.

“When you know that someone is playing love games with you and still you are there that means either you are a true lover or a true loser.”

-- Jasmine Kiyani

If all people were acting from being in alignment with their true selves and their core values and morals, as opposed to their wounded and distorted selves, wouldn't most if not all people be behaving from a place of altruism, unconditional love, etc?

Maybe.

How can one maintain a positive and healthy mindset during challenging times?

When you understand that any challenge is simply a test of your resolve, it is easier to “maintain a positive and healthy mindset” by simply smiling at the challenge and beating it into submission. Choose to be truly happy always and in all things, regardless of your circumstances. A positive and healthy mindset is nothing more than a choice. Make the right one.

Do you agree that run-away liberalism will destroy all values, authenticity, and focus in life?

Yes, but socialism does that, at least until you run out of other people's money.

My crush seems somewhat impressed by my history debate statements. Is this a good thing since we both like history?

Your “crush” doesn’t have to agree or be impressed by your statements. How boring would that be? If you both like history, ask what they would have stated. Discuss it, and see if they still hold their opinion or see your point. You might just see their point, in which case you might think of running your statements through them so you can develop better debate strategies. But, never think that your “crush” has to agree with you. Disagreement is the spice that gives life flavor.

What does it mean if someone's eyes keep moving when talking to you?

They could be nervous. I’d be looking to put my back to a wall. 

"But unless both parties are confident of the others' affection and fidelity, an obvious and frequent wandering eye will generally stir up envy and hurt, making one feel unappreciated and even threatened in the relationship."

-- Gail Saltz, M.D.

Do you need everything you want in life?

Oh, hell no. I want a lot of women, but I sure don’t need them.

Is it really right to take the blame for something you do not do?

If you like to be looked at as stupid, yes. Personally, I’d balk at the notion of coping to guilt for something I didn’t do. Each person needs to take responsibility for what they do in life, not what they don’t do. Give credit where credit is due, and the yoke of responsibility lies around the neck of the guilty. Truth can not be sidestepped. It will come out, sooner or later.

How do I stay rich even after retirement?

I recommend a budget. 

What would you do if someone makes fun of you, revenge or forgive?

They are making fun of you so people don’t see the giant ass they obviously are. Oh, too late. Humor might make more sense than revenge.  Karma has its hands full.

“Look, just because you’re obviously a giant ass doesn’t mean it is okay to make fun of my speech impediment. Maybe you should grow up.”

“Look, just because you’re an attractive suppository doesn’t mean you can make fun of my large ass. Or, maybe you’re wondering if you’ll fit. Let’s find out, shall we?”

How do colleges react when a student fails a class or two during their first semester?

Is the college being paid? Money will dictate any action.

“Would you like me to give you a formula for success? It’s quite simple, really. Double your rate of failure. You’re thinking of failure as the enemy of success. But it isn’t at all. You can be discouraged by failure - or you can learn from it. So go ahead and make mistakes. Make all you can. Because, remember, that’s where you’ll find success. On the far side.”

-- Thomas John Watson, Sr.

Do irrational thoughts or emotions serve any purpose?

Not any purpose, only the “irrational” ones.

As a student, why do you honor and obey moral rules? For the sake of your own individual benefits, the sake of others, or just for the sake of fulfilling your infallible duty?

Whether you are a student, or not, moral rules guide us to do the right things. Doing right always and selflessly benefits everyone and fulfills our duty to society as a whole. To do anything else invites unwanted drama into life.

How is it possible for a teenager to live without his/her parents' help financially until he/she graduates from college?

Get a job. Share an apartment. Study and don’t party. 

Should you take advice from a hypocrite, knowing that what they are saying will actually help you?

As a self-proclaimed hypocrite, I honestly tell people to do as I say, not as I do. Having said this, however, I can admit that finding an honest hypocrite is a tough job. As a minister, I marry people, but I have been through a divorce 20 years ago and have sworn off marriage. Hypocritical? I made a mistake, but that doesn’t mean that everyone will. I have faith and hope that their lives will experience happier times, and I impart lessons learned: Be friends first. Be honest, always. Love each other through thick and thin. If you can’t do this, call it quits before you lose 25 years of your life.

 Do we have the power to change ourselves?

Of course. It happens all the time. I went through a radical change after my divorce, and have been truly happy ever since.

“Time provides all of us with the opportunity to change, alter our belief system, and create new perspectives that challenge a person’s character and teach him or her how to become a happier and wiser person.”

-- Kilroy J. Oldster

What are the best ways to deal with feelings in a relationship or friendship?

Run them up the flagpole and see what happens. Be honest with the person. Tell them your feelings and see what happens. True friends will stay friends, regardless. If the relationship is solid, it will weather a little blatant honesty.

What is the proper response to someone saying “Thank you for taking care of me”?

“It was my pleasure.”

How can you teach morals and ethics without coming across as preachy or condescending?

Wait until someone asks you to teach, otherwise, you come across as preachy and condescending.

Why do I lose interest in pursuing something even with a clear set goal?

You are me, many years ago. You have no focus. If you’re young, you can grow out of it, with effort. If you’re older, well, good luck. Hookers have a better chance of teaching an old dog new tricks. The fact that you recognize the problem, though, is a good thing.

What does “I can't afford to be with you but I refuse to lose you” mean in a relationship?

She is “high maintenance” but she’s also drop-dead gorgeous.

“Dude, your girlfriend is so far past high maintenance even the janitor quit.”

-- Samantha Young

Is it important to know what people want from us?

If you refer to an occupation, then, yes. In your personal life, if what people want from you is deemed important, then you must want to do it for them. Personally, I could care less what people want from me. I give what I decide to give selflessly.

If you could implement one change that would positively impact millions of people worldwide, what would it be and why?

Access to three healthy meals per day, in order to end hunger and famine worldwide.

How is intuition better than sense?

I never really thought about this. The way I see it, “intuition” is what you think might occur based on past experiences, yours, or others. What you “sense” is based solely on what you think might occur, period.

I’m curious, what’s your biggest fear?

Dying alone.

I am very wrathful. How can I feel less angry?

Understanding that “karma” will visit you and take payment for your wrathfulness and anger should temper your spirit. Two wrongs don’t make a right. Better you let karma deal with the culprit and save your soul for better things.

“MARY: My wrath! When do I ever get wrathful?

CATHERINE: It’s your particular kind of wrath. You don’t shout—you just get precise and icy.

MARY: That’s not wrath. I don’t think that counts as wrath.

DIANA: It’s Mary wrath. Your particular kind, as Cat said. Not that I’m scared of it, mind you. But it’s worse than being shouted at."

-- Theodora Goss

What is the hardest part of your life?

Being a caregiver for my mother. Everything else is minutia compared to this responsibility.

Why, when we buy something, do we get tired of it after a week or a month, and what is the solution?

Some people fall prey to “impulse buying” of crap they really don’t need. The solution is to stop and think about it, Walk around the store, and try to talk yourself out of buying it. Weigh the pros and the cons, how much you will actually use it, and whether your significant other will spank you for the waste of money better spent (You might want to lie about buying it, just to get the spanking. Just saying). I do this a lot (not the spanking) and I usually end up not buying stuff I am better off without.

What is your opinion on the saying "that's too much"?

I wouldn’t say it if it weren’t true.  Did I misunderstand the question?

How can engaging in lifelong learning increase your humility and respect for others?

As one who has engaged in a personal regimen of “lifelong learning” for the past 69 years, I can attest to the fact that I have become more humble in my life and more respectful of others. Having said this, however, I think it depends on what you study on your path of lifelong learning. I focussed on religions, philosophy, poetry, quantum theory, and time. Some subjects humbled me, and others taught me respect.

Besides age, in the last 10 years, how much of you has changed? Just curious.

About 45 pounds of me. When I came back from Mexico I was 165 pounds. Now, I tip the scales at 210. But, approaching 70 years of life, I have a plan for losing it.

“Time provides all of us with the opportunity to change, alter our belief system, and create new perspectives that challenge a person’s character and teach him or her how to become a happier and wiser person.”

-- Kilroy J. Oldster

Why do people take jokes literally?

No well-cultivated sense of humor.

What makes religious leaders infallible?

No one is infallible, especially religious leaders. They are constantly under scrutiny, by just about everyone. Everyone has faults, and if they say they don’t, there’s an obvious fault.

What is a long-awaited moment?

Karma finally kicking some well-deserved ass.

Why do you think it’s so difficult to talk about power?

I have no point of reference, never having been a person of power. I would only be able to comment on my own assumptions as a retired military intelligence analyst. 

What makes a woman want to be in a relationship with a married man, knowing he's married?

Using his “bulge” she estimated the size of his flaccid package. She was impressed.

“Some men can love forever, some for six years, some for six months, and others for six hours.”

-- Michael Bassey Johnson

 

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 view 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