Questioning Hope, Truth, Ignorance, and Karma

 

“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift of God, which is why we call it the present.”

-- Bill Keane

How do you know if there is still hope for you in life?

I have faith. Faith is the harbinger of hope. Without faith, there is little reason for life. I am full of faith, therefore, I am full of hope. This keeps me truly happy always and in all things, regardless of my circumstances.

How do people become motivated by challenges?

They need to be conditioned to accept the challenge when it presents itself. In the military, I was always challenged. In the military, you have little choice but to accept the challenges that present themselves. As such, you become “conditioned” to accept the challenges that come your way. As I became a supervisor and manager, I always chose an upcoming member of my Division to attack the challenge with me. In this way, if I was not available, they would be motivated to accept the challenge without my guidance.

Can it be true that thinking is difficult, that’s why most people judge?

People judge because they think, wrongly, that they are all that. They are not. Everybody has faults to be judged, and “judging” others is one of them.

How can one overcome anxiety when addressing a crowd, even if you are thoroughly prepared for such a speech or presentation?

Understand that they are there to hear you speak. You are imparting knowledge, so you are, technically, in charge. In my 23 years of briefing aircrews with Intelligence, the only way you get past anxiety is to practice, practice, practice, and then practice some more. You will become comfortable with public speaking, but it takes a bit of time for some. I had a briefing room to use when I was practicing my briefings so I had the tone, volume, and comfort factor all worked out. The one aspect most new briefers are not prepared for is questions. It pays to have someone listen to your presentation and ask mass questions when you finish, so you are prepared for almost anything.

How do values and creative thinking affect communities over time?

The communities don’t stagnate. They move forward with their good values and, especially, creative thinking.

What should I be grateful for?

Every morning, when I wake up, I am grateful for the gift of life. Without life, you can’t concern yourself with things that you have to pay attention to, like friends, family, and those “wicked vices” that we all love, like women, bourbon, and a good cigar.  Well, I am a man, after all.

“Be grateful for what you already have while you pursue your goals. If you aren’t grateful for what you already have, what makes you think you would be happy with more.”

-- Roy T. Bennet

What if death is the truth and life is a lie?

Then death is truth and life is a lie. But, it isn’t, so the question is a non-sequitur.

Do people prefer freedom over success?

Success is being truly happy in your life. If you are not free, you cannot be truly happy. If you allow someone to take your freedom, you must take it back. They have no rights to what was gifted to you. Their only rights are what was gifted to them.

Who motivates you and how do they help?

I motivate myself. If I wait for someone else to motivate me, all is lost.

How many successful people are not happy with their lives, even though they have achieved success and money?

Success is being truly happy in life. Everything else is attaining goals. If you aren’t truly happy in your life, you have accomplished nothing of importance. You need to be truly happy always and in all things, regardless of your circumstances. It is a simple choice for your life.

Can people be effective without being leaders?

A leader usually doesn’t defuse a bomb. The “bomb disposal” personnel have shown themselves to be effective “non-leaders” by defusing the bomb, and we are very grateful.

When is it OK to make fun of someone?

When everyone knows you’re joking. It is never okay to make fun of someone in a serious vein. It is hurtful and will say more about the person poking fun than of their target. It is better to just treat each other with respect.

"When moral superiority combines with billowing ignorance, they fill up a hot-air balloon that's awfully hard not to poke."

-- Barbara Kingsolver

How would you describe a stubborn and ignorant person?

Clueless.

Why do religious people turn non-religious people into homeless people?

If someone allows someone else to turn them into something, they are weak-minded. Personally, I follow a “spiritual” path, though I lean toward the teachings of Christ. No one turned me into this. It was my choice through my research. If you make a choice, it should be your choice, not the choice of someone else. It is your life. Be truly happy with it.

Why does [this site] seem to attract such stupid people?

Are you confessing a self-admission? Fortunately, not everyone here would agree with you.

What are ethical dilemmas?

Well, when we look at the definition: “A situation in which a difficult choice has to be made between two or more alternatives, especially equally undesirable ones.” Using this definition, the dilemma would concern itself with difficult “ethical” choices. My problem with this, however, is that good ethical choices are, more than not, the right choices. One should always do what is right, as opposed to doing that which is wrong. Doing “wrong” is not ethical. There is no grey where good ethical behavior is concerned.

What is the long-term goal of a burger?

To sate one’s appetite.

How can one stop or navigate negative thoughts and extreme fear when one has lost everything, been homeless for several years, and now lives with the bare minimum to survive? It's hard to think positively when your rent is late and you have no food.

So, you have lost everything… almost. You wake up every morning to the “gift” of another day of life. Every morning you have one reason to be truly happy. You have been gifted another day to try and make things right for yourself. The trick, however, is to find the right path. Until this happens, you must strive to be truly happy always and in all things, regardless of your circumstances. Strive to be the light so others can see. It is a choice.

“Only by losing everything can you fear nothing.”

-- Ken Poirot

Can our karma or destiny be changed by our thoughts?

It’s kind of the only way. You have to think before you act. I recommend good and positive thoughts, however. Negative and bad are not constructive.

Can someone be religious without following all or most of what is written in the Bible?

You can follow most religious texts, and find religion. Christianity is just one choice.

Do people say ‘you make me smile’ or ‘I like making you smile’ more often?

If someone tells me that I make them smile, I’ll tell them I like making them smile. So, for me, it’s pretty even.

What does "he's pitiful" mean?

You’re being judgmental.

What makes a good leader? Is it nature or nurture?

It is usually nurture, but now and then, a “milk toast” will rise to the occasion, to the great surprise of many.

How do people have fun personalities without being conscious or worrying about being embarrassed? I'm struggling with this one.

As a fun person, my advice is not to struggle to have fun, just have fun! Don’t be conscious of it, worry, or be embarrassed. Just have fun! The personality should naturally follow.

“Senses of humor define people, as factions, deeper rooted than religious or political opinions. When carrying out everyday tasks, opinions are rather easy to set aside, but those whom a person shares a sense of humor with are his closest friends. They are always there to make the biggest influence.”

-- Criss Jami

What are the best answers to "What do you think of ignorance?"?

It certainly isn’t bliss. Ignorance is the tool of the lost. Only with knowledge can we light our way to see where we want to go.

Saying "love yourself first" is a popular piece of advice, but does it actually help anyone? Why or why not?

I always cut to the safety briefing on airlines: “Put your oxygen mask on first, before assisting the passenger next to you.” If you don’t help yourself first, you risk both of you dying. The same advice goes for “loving yourself” first. If you can’t truly love yourself, how do you think you can truly love someone else?

How can we prepare ourselves to become great product leaders/managers in the future?

Start at the bottom, and work your way up.

Why do some people continue working after they have retired from their first job?

I retired twice, after 23 years, and then, after 17 years. I deserved a couple of years I spent in Manzanillo, Mexico. While lying in a hammock by the pool, my last boss called and offered me enough to get me back into the workforce for basically doing nothing. I was bored. Who could refuse?

How do you handle people who say they are not judgmental yet judge everything about everyone around them all the time?

I tell them, every time they are judgmental… until they stop judging. No one is perfect. By telling them, I remind myself of my own failings.

Is a "stupid git" basically an asshole?

Not necessarily. The only thing you can be pretty sure of is that they’re a “stupid git.” But then, calling them this is being judgmental, which doesn’t say much about the person doing the judging. Being “judgmental” is kind of like being an asshole.

“You can't fix stupid.”

-- Larry the Cable Guy 

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 twenty-three years of military intelligence, I believe that engaging each other in this manner, and in this arena, is a 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. He also served 8 years on the Board of Directors for the Angela J. Bowen Foundation.

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