Questioning Talent, Help, Selflessness, Beliefs, and Skills

 

“Every artist was first an amateur.”

-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

How can I test my talent?

Perform it, and ask people what they think of it. Perception is the best test. Our own perception can be pretty useless since we think we can be “all that” when we might not be. I am my own worst critic, which is a good thing, for me. I rely on other opinions to better my talents.

Why do people lie when they are fasting and for everything they do?

They lack a good code of ethical behavior.

Why does seeing some people from your past (like a parent after years who may have betrayed you) shake you to your core sometimes?

This was true until I joined the military. Nothing shakes me anymore. You learn, in life, that you are as good as the best. If someone’s ego puts them on a level above me, they have disrespected my respect. At this point, I have very little use for them. We have to grow past people who think they are all that. We need to remember that people, for the most part, are no better and no worse than we are. They are simply people due respect, as we are. If someone from our past has the power to “shake you to your core” then it might be time for us to put our big boy pants on. Or, we can just wait for them to go to sleep.

In your opinion, what oughts to be a person's relationship to society?

Selfless.

How can you make someone regret suggesting something?

Why would you want to? Making someone regret is probably worse than what you’d like them to regret. Karma will take care of anything they do, why would you invite karma to punish you, as well?

“Of all the words of mice and men, the saddest are, "It might have been.”

-- Kurt Vonnegut

How can I become myself?

Too late, you already are. You can, however, become a better version of yourself. Do some research on developing a good, moral, code of ethics that you can stand by, through the worst times. A personal “code of ethics” defines who, what, and why we are to those around us.

Author's comment: Thank you for your answer, Tony. We can always become a better version of ourselves. I think morality in general needs to make a comeback, as well as people need to value integrity. Society has become so fake these days. Nobody stands by what they believe in… too many don't even know what they believe in.

How do you like to help me?

That would depend on if you’re a man or a woman. But, either way, I would hope my help would be selfless.

Is there a difference between ignorance and stupidity?

Ignorance means you simply don’t know. Stupidity means you simply don’t know and you don’t care that you don’t know. When you start to care, you will stop being stupid and start being ignorant. Just saying.

Is [this site] for introverts, or are there some extroverts on here too?

Since I am certainly not introverted, I think  there is probably a good mix of personalities.

What can guilt for hurting someone be confused with?

You can confuse it with almost anything that will allow you to not take ownership of what you’ve done. When it comes to guilt, however, it will hang around your neck like an anchor, until you make it right. The fact that you don’t take ownership of what you did, will continue to haunt you unless you simply “get off” on hurting others. In this case, “guilt” doesn’t even come into play.

“Guilt is not a response to anger; it is a response to one’s own actions or lack of action. If it leads to change then it can be useful since it is then no longer guilt but the beginning of knowledge. Yet all too often, guilt is just another name for impotence, for defensiveness destructive of communication; it becomes a device to protect ignorance and the continuation of things the way they are, the ultimate protection for changelessness.”

-- Audre Lorde

Some scammers say they are motivated by revenge, and that they blame the US for Nigeria being in poverty. Why do they take their anger out on ordinary innocent civilians and not on the people they blame?

The first thing we need to understand is that scammers are criminals. Who chooses to believe a criminal?

How can I contribute to society and make a positive impact?

Find something your area doesn’t have but needs. Whatever you do, however, must be selfless, or people will simply see you as doing it for selfish reasons. Selfishness will tarnish any “positive impact” you hope to make.

What is one word that describes someone who doesn't give up easily?

Tenacious.

Can I get a summary judgment reversed if it got granted for things that I and every union member does on a daily basis?

Prove that what you do is for the greater good. But, if this is true, it would have been the basis of the argument the defense attorney would have used, one would think. Judgments, usually, are reasons for changing the way we do things. Not knowing what it is, I’d think the court is sending a message that what “every union member does on a daily basis” needs to change.

Does everyone have the right to success?

Yes. The only true barrier you encounter while trying to attain a goal is you. One must persevere in the face of defeat, or defeat will always be the outcome.

“The brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something. Because the brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want it badly enough. They’re there to stop the other people.”

-- Randy Pausch

When in your life did you expose someone who thought they were above criticism?

Constantly, in the military. No one is above criticism, and, if they think they are, people need to take a much closer look at what they’re doing. Operational Readiness Inspections helped to weed out those who thought they were all that. If you weren’t doing the job, people below you would help move the smoke and mirrors so the inspectors had a clearer view of who you really were.

What are the pros and cons of going back to an ex who is in love with you but still has a girlfriend?

There is no “pro” and the “con” is that the thought is pretty ill-conceived. Just saying. 

Is Hitler a good role model?

He was a convincing public speaker, and an insane sociopath who surrounded himself with insane sociopaths. But, he was a convincing public speaker, responsible for the death of millions of innocents.

What causes people to be unaware of their own beliefs?

A lack of introspection.

What is the role of consumer satisfaction in the buying process?

If the consumer isn’t satisfied, the word will get out to the public that the product is crap. Buying of the product will suffer greatly.

“The golden rule here is to stop assuming what your customers are going to like and what they won’t. Instead, start putting yourself in their shoes to familiarize yourself with their needs and wants. That way you will never go wrong.”

-- Pooja Agnihotri

How do you write valid, invalid, sound, and unsound examples of arguments?

Be very knowledgeable of the subject matter… and don’t bloviate.

How can I make any hot aunty/baby my friend with benefits?

Learn respect. 

If Christians cannot provide evidence that demons exist, can we say it’s an irrational belief system based on ignorance? If not explain why you believe demons exist with evidence they exist.

This is the same argument for theism and atheism. Neither side has any proof that they are right, yet they hang on to their faith and demand proof that they, themselves, can’t produce.

Do you know who you are actually?

At 70 years of age, I would hope so. Other people, however, I’m not so sure of.

What are some effective ways to improve writing skills at the school level?

Pay attention to English, grammar, and creative writing classes.

“There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.”

-- Ernest Hemingway

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