Questioning a Word, Happiness, Values and Truths, and Manners

 

“The Master always has a "one up" on everyone else because he/she accepts what others can't - The Horrible Truth. Benefits of this revelation can cause outbursts of laughter.”

-- Christopher Zzenn Loren

 

What do we get when we ask for help from a spiritual master?

Help. Damn, this is easy.

Can someone be happy if they have no friends and are extremely intelligent?

The problem with “extremely intelligent” people is they simply aren’t smart. They really need to have friends to grow as real people.

What is worse: a childish adult or an old soul?

Childish adult. The “old soul” will back this up.

What are some signs that your marriage will be happy for now but won't last forever?

It wasn’t based on friendship. And, “love” turned out to be more of “lust’ for the husband, and, for the wife, it was using the husband for an escape route. 25 years later, the marriage dissolved.

What are some ways a woman can show that she needs her husband?

Really? Have you two even had sex yet?

"Life is not the amount of breaths you take, it's the moments that take your breath away."

-- Hitch

Why do people who say, "a word of advice,” give advice longer than one word?

Because they don’t understand. A “word” of advice would be telling someone, “Don't.” This would elicit the question, “Why?” At this point, the advisor could pontificate till the cows come home.

What if a group of people hacked your mind, and then took it for ransom? They can see everything you could, and predict every thought you had. What would you do? Who could you tell?

There would be no problem. They’d give it back... with an apology.

What are the differences between being cheated on and feeling lonely?

If you’re feeling lonely, you probably haven’t been cheated on. If you have a significant other, on the other hand, they might be a “player” and be cheating on you. If you kick them to the curb, you’ll be looking for greener pastures. If you’re looking, you won’t be lonely for too long.

Why do humans think it isn't fair if they get to suffer but those who hurt them don't? Why do we seek a balance or for things to be equal?

I haven’t heard this one. Sounds like left-wing District Attorneys putting the criminal before the victim. Fortunately, this isn’t happening all over the United States… yet.

Is it wrong to make a mistake?

No. Mistakes and failures are the best ways to learn, so we can mitigate the fallout if it happens again. We put a negative stigma on failing and mistakes, yet we hire people who never made a mistake, so they can make their first mistake working for us so we can fire them. It makes little sense.

“A person who makes few mistakes makes little progress.”

-- Bryant McGill

What are some things people do that destroy their own happiness?

Marriage!

Do you think, in today's society, most people's moral standards are deteriorating or improving?

Considering the condition of our voting in the United States, one wonders which third-world country we will choose to monitor our elections to ensure their validity. Our moral standards deteriorate at a pace equal to our government, and the government, lately, is outpacing us. We have no borders, millions of illegal aliens in the country, and our President has proven himself to be a joke. China is calling us out, and Russia is calling Europe out. If we don’t stop the insanity in this administration, there will be another world war, regardless of them saying everything is okey dokey.

What is the definition of the emotion, "Sad and lonely but happy"?

A non-sequitur. It doesn’t follow. You can’t be both sad and lonely but also happy.

Do you think  people who say they're "too good" to be cheated on are right?

They are the ones who are being cheated on left and right. They are living the lie, because they can’t stand to admit their significant other might be screwing around on them. I’ve heard the “I’m too good” story and  seen the husband or wife. Yeah, let’s go with you’re “too good” when your significant other looks really that good.

How can I make my spiritual practice more meaningful?

Have faith in it. Will you die for your beliefs?

“To practice is not to practice for ourselves alone. We practice for everyone. We should be proud to say, Violence, it may come from somewhere else, but not from me. Hatred, discrimination, it may come from somewhere else, but not from me.”

-- Thich Nhat Hanh

How could someone double fifty million dollars in ten years?

Astute investment in “blue chip” stocks, will get you close.

Can you describe someone who understands you without you saying a word?

No. It is the curse of being an enigma. The closest I can come is one lady who rightly states that I have no filter. But I have to talk, for her to understand that. She is the only one who truly gets me.

How can you prove someone wrong without making them feel stupid or bad about themselves?

Lay out the facts. They may not have all the facts that you do. Don’t rub their nose in it. They aren’t stupid, just ill-informed.

What are values/truths and why is it important to live by them?

Why would you want to live in a lie, and with no values? Values are good, moral ethics, and the truth, well, it is what isn’t a lie. It is important to live by a moral set of values because it defines who and why you are. You can stand as a selfless example of what it means to have good values and a moral set of ethics. If you live by them, you might just find true happiness, and true happiness is success in life.

When is it OK to make fun of someone?

Never, and it is terribly hard for a guy with no filter.

“Advise a wise man, and he will listen to you. Advise a fool, and he will make fun of you.”

-- Mouloud Benzadi

What is the easiest way to get laid as a teen?

I’m not gonna touch this. I’ll get in trouble.

How can we make our husbands feel good about themselves?

I can’t believe you don’t know this.

Why does nothing make me feel as happy as I once was?

You weren’t truly happy. If you were truly happy always and in all things, regardless of your circumstances, you would still be truly happy. Happiness is a choice we make, and as a choice, it is sustainable until you make the choice not to be truly happy, which is, obviously, counterproductive to happiness. 

Somewhere along the line, you allowed “drama” to enter your life. Drama, like evil, is counterproductive to happiness. I only let drama that will not affect my happiness, into my life. It is “drama” that I control, not that someone else controls. you need to make the conscious choice to be truly happy always and in all things, regardless of your circumstances. If you can’t make this simple choice, you’re stuck. 

Can a person always tell the truth?

I’d like to say yes, but, no. It's why Catholics had "confession" every week.

How do you convince people to not tell others about their idea?

Don’t tell them the idea. Jeeze…

“The reason people fear to confide in anyone is that even an internal friend can make personal details external, and it will remain eternal.”

-- Michael Bassey Johnson

How do you prefer to have your investments?

I prefer to have them at significantly more than I paid for them.

What does it mean when someone is very nice but never has good manners?

Slipshod parenting. No one ever took the time to teach them. I found a lot of this in the military.  I did much training to get them ready for functions.

Why do so many [on this site] post the same question a dozen times in rapid succession?

I don’t know. I’ve seen it and just laughed. I ignore them.

What are some ways to deal with the feeling of being threatened by someone's success and happiness?

Just don’t be. You aren’t them. Make the conscious choice to be truly happy always and in all things, regardless of your circumstances. If you can make this simple choice, you will probably be more successful in life than they are. You will surely be happier.  Jealousy is insidious.  Don't let that drama infect your life.

Why do I seem arrogant and a braggart to everyone except my family and friends?

Are they, also, arrogant braggarts? It might explain a lot.

“Who knows himself a braggart, let him fear this, for it will come to pass that every braggart shall be found an ass.”

-- William Shakespeare

What's the best way to answer: "Do you have any questions for us"?

“Yes.”

How do you respond when a guy asks what exactly you want to know about him?

“What makes you think I want to know anything about you?”

How long should you give someone to respond after breaking up with them?

You broke up with them. You had your reasons, and they probably know them. You shouldn’t care whether they respond. Get on with your life and ignore the drama.

Is there a time when being a parent became easy for you?

Oh, my, yes! When he went off to college and she got married.

Is it bad if a guy likes a girl who is introverted?

Not if he’s into introverts.

“Love is essential, gregariousness is optional.”

-- Susan Cain

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 at: tolerantpastor@gmail.com