Questioning Yang, Faith, Hypocrites, the Ex, and Perfection

“Accept your dark side, understanding it will help you to move with the light. Knowing both sides of our souls, helps us all to move forward in life and to understand that, perfection doesn't exist.”

-- Martin R. Lemieux

What does the word "Yang" mean?

Yang is the “white” side. Yin is the “dark” side.

How do you explain existence if everything must have a cause?

Existence is the effect of the cause.

He wants to be together even though we’ve only gone out once and known each other for two weeks. How should I respond to this?

“No.” Why? “Because.” You need to tell him to slow down, like several years.

What is the definition of something having no use or value?

Outdated.

What is the expression for someone who has everything?

Spoiled. Not necessarily happy, but spoiled.

What is the difference between "simple" and "common"?

Common can be complicated. Simple, well, it is what it is.

What does it mean when your girlfriend starts an argument and then wants to ignore you?

She’s getting something better than you… and doesn’t know how to let you down.

 What do people mean when they say "just have faith"?

They have a strong belief in something for which there is little or no proof.

 What do people mean when they say "just have faith"?

They have a strong belief in something for which there is little or no proof.

Why shouldn’t I just give up on my goals? What’s the point in trying if I haven’t succeeded yet?

Try this:

“Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.”

-- Winston S. Churchill

 What do people mean when they say "just have faith"?

They have a strong belief in something for which there is little or no proof.

What does it mean when a boy says, "No one will ever like you"?

Oh, he likes you… a lot.

What does it mean to allow your emotions to override the intellect?

You are so screwed. 

 Why did my ex-boyfriend jokingly say he was on his way to beat my new boyfriend?

Why are you wasting time asking this question? You should be calling your new boyfriend.

 What is more important, choice or life?

If you don’t have life, how can you make a choice? Just saying.

How do I tell Danielle Panabaker that I love the moles on her arms?

That's just kinky, and a little twisted.  Don't do it.

Does your mother know?

Oh, hell no. Know what?

 The husband hid for many years that he earns a lot. The truth has been revealed. How do I demand compensation from him for 10 years?

Divorce court.

 Can you give me some deep, thought-provoking quotes about life and living?

Try this:

“Thirty spokes share the wheel’s hub;

It is the center hole that makes it useful.

Shape clay into a vessel;

It is the space within that makes it useful.

Cut doors and windows for a room;

It is the holes which make it useful.

Therefore profit comes from what is there;

Usefulness from what is not there.”

-- Lao Tsu

 What is your opinion of someone who talks badly about their parents but secretly loves and respects them at home?

They’re hypocritical. They are trying to show they’re an independent person. and they really might be, but they don’t know how to show it. They chose hypocrisy, trying to impress. Bad choice.

My first love blocked me. He doesn’t love me at all, he was extremely toxic to me, yet I still love him. How do I get over him?

He blocked you. He doesn’t love you… at all. He wasn’t just toxic to you, he was "extremely" toxic to you. Why you can’t get over him is, I’m sorry to say, stupidity on your part. How do you get over him? Look in a mirror and ask yourself if you’re really that stupid. I’ll bet the answer is no. Move on.

At what point in your life did you stop questioning yourself and think 'I am good enough'?

After my divorce. The women just wouldn’t leave me alone. They thought my ex was an idiot. No argument from me.

 Is it okay to tell my close friend I’ve masturbated to them?

Sure, but their reaction can be positive or negative. You have the freedom, however, to do what you want… obviously.

How do you explain luck? Why is it that someone wins a lottery and someone else suffers? Is that nature's way of treating us unequally by its law?

No, it means you bought the right ticket. People suffer because they believe in luck. They will continue blowing money trying to be “lucky” instead of buying the right ticket.

“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.”

-- Seneca

How long should you wait to text your ex-boyfriend?

Why text him? He’s your ex-boyfriend. You should wait till hell freezes over… and, then, wait a little bit longer. What do you owe him? 

If you ask your ex out and they don't respond, what happens?

You’re not going out with your ex. Big surprise there. They seem to have moved on. Maybe you should, as well. 

Why would an ex-girlfriend act like she loves me even though we broke up months ago and I started dating another girl?

She either realized she made a tragic mistake, or she misses the sex. Personally, I’d go with the sex. It will make you feel better about yourself… and being with another girl.

What does it mean when you say "I've always loved you" but never told the person that you love them?

Hopefully, you haven’t wasted the opportunity to love them. But, it would figure, if they have a new main squeeze and let you know that you’re a tad too late with the information.

What are some successful examples of militant atheism in society or a country? Why did people accept them?

Ask the militant atheist… and the people who accepted them. You can’t ask intelligent people about militants, or the people who accept them.

“At the point that an organization becomes militant, it has in that act revealed the impotency of its message. For it is apparent that the appeal of the message is insufficient to capture the imagination of the masses. And we would be wise to remember that fear never captures imagination.”

-- Craig D. Lounsbrough

How do you understand toxic people, and how do you ignore them when they bother you?

I had to laugh at this. They are toxic. I Ignore them. Nuff said. If you give them an inch they will eat your heart. Better if you simply ignore them. They are charter members of the League of the Perpetually Offended.

What do you say about “everything is money”?

Spoken by a capitalist. My “code of ethics” has nothing to do with money. My philosophies have little to do with money, except that you should strive to be happy without it. True happiness, at the base level, has nothing to do with money.

How can I be a perfect ballerina?

First, you need to know there is no such thing as perfect. Even God is in question. You can, however, strive for excellence. Someone may challenge you, proving they are more excellent than you. This will be life teaching you some humility and giving you a chance to learn more and come back with a challenge of your own.

Is it true that inside every cynic (pessimist) is a disappointed idealist (optimist)?

Disappointed? Yes. Realistic? Maybe not so much. You just can’t go through your entire life being a cynic. Nothing will ever please you. For instance, I have found that the women you expect the least from are the ones who take you for a trip among the stars. 

What are the benefits of always telling the truth in any relationship, especially when it's new? What would happen if we lied instead of telling the truth from now on (not all lies, but sometimes)?

According to Mark Twain, you don’t have to remember anything if you tell the truth. The truth will always be what it is, but lies get fuddled in memory. A lie told today may be a lie told a bit differently tomorrow.  If all we did was lie, we would never be sure of the truth.

“If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything.”

-- Mark Twain

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. Opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form their own opinions 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 offered. After over twenty years of military intelligence, I believe that 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 United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. Following his service career, he spent 17 years working with the premier, and 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 a weapon for his war on intolerance, he chose the pen. He 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 personal, spiritual path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He 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