Questioning Housework, Help, Sociopaths, Commitment, and Karma

 

“You can say what you want about housework--dusting, vacuuming, mopping, and so forth-- but besides having dinner together every night, there's nothing more valuable to a household than order. A tidy home provides structure for family life and an oasis from the chaos of daily living. And these sorts of household chores keep us in touch with our possessions, ideally in a constant state of measuring their value in our lives.”

-- Ellyn Anne Geisel

 

Why do men leave laundry, dishes, and dinner to their girlfriends and wives?

That’s hilarious. I’m a man, and God forbid I let my girlfriend do my laundry or cook dinner. She does help with the dishes, however.

Who are the people that have made the most impact in your life and why?

A Brigadier General, the last years of my enlistment. The General’s adjutant, a Captain, was carping about the civilian building maintenance man, late to fix the furnace in the basement of the headquarters building. It was an old building with an old furnace that wasn’t working. I was there to give the General his weekly Intelligence briefing. It was the middle of January, and the eastern side of Washington state was freezing.

The General came out of his office and calmly told the Captain that he was to deal with the maintenance man with respect when he arrived because he was the only “old guy” on base who could fix the old furnace. If the General's furnace was not fixed, he would assume the Captain was the reason. He asked the Captain if he understood. The Captain nodded. The General turned to me, smiled, and invited me into his office.

A General officer showing respect to a civilian maintenance man. The general asked me if I understood what he did. He showed deference to the only man on base who could repair his furnace. “Respect is everything. Do you agree?” Who was I to argue with a General? He smiled and asked me to start my briefing.

The General’s attitude impacted my life. “Respect is everything,” and you show respect to everyone. You may not respect the person, but you will respect the office. I have taken this with me through life as a lesson. It has not let me down. Most times, you get back what you give.

Does satisfaction hinder progress?

You should never be satisfied. If things are going great, they can be going greater. There is no such thing as perfection, but there is, most certainly, a lot of room for levels of excellence.

What are the benefits of committing to a partner if you're already in love with them?

Being in love has nothing to do with commitment. I have loved many women and have not wanted to commit. My 25 years of marriage ended when we divorced, and I swore never to commit my life to anyone again. I have been in a relationship for almost as long as my marriage, and it's going smoothly.

Is it possible for people to forgive cheating?

Yes, but being able to trust them ever again will take a lot longer. I forgive you, I just can’t trust you.

What are some ideas to make quotes about being yourself?

This is my favorite. Try this:

“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.”

-- Oscar Wilde

What does it mean when someone says, "You're the only one that can help me"?

They must believe, for some reason only they know, that you are the only one they think can help them. They must put a lot of trust in you, or they might be screwed.

How can people answer questions they don't know the answer to without looking stupid or letting on that they don't know the answer to begin with?

Why would they even try? They need to learn how to say, “I don’t know.” There is no penalty for not knowing. There is a great penalty for throwing out a line of obvious bullshit. Oh, my yes, you will look all of the stupid you are, for trying to bullshit those in the know.

How do you react to a sudden feeling of fear?

I'm afraid.

Do negative thoughts attract bad luck?

Luck does not exist. Negative thoughts tend to bring on a negative reality. Positive thought tend to bring on a positive reality. Personally, I like to have a lot of positive reality in my life.

Which one is under failure to recognize or question assumptions?

Uh… there is no context. There are no choices.

How does one feel satisfied while being successful?

Success is true happiness in life.  True happiness is satisfying.  You should strive to be truly happy always and in all things, regardless of your circumstances. It is a simple choice for success in life.

“True happiness is to enjoy the present, without anxious dependence upon the future, not to amuse ourselves with either hopes or fears but to rest satisfied with what we have, which is sufficient, for he that is so wants nothing. The greatest blessings of mankind are within us and within our reach. A wise man is content with his lot, whatever it may be, without wishing for what he has not.”

-- Seneca

Would a sociopath be scared when about to fight someone if it's their first time?

A true sociopath has already killed the opponent before the fight starts, many times, in their mind. When “about to fight” they are smiling, knowing the opponent is already dying.

Does it matter from where you got your degree if you are an engineer?

It matters to your “future” employer.

Is just showing up to get the work done better than doing nothing?

There is nothing wrong with showing up to do a good day’s labor. Doing nothing is simply a waste of time better spent.

What is truth in Buddhism? How does one achieve it?

Understanding that profit comes from what is there; Usefulness from what is not there.

How do I think like the most successful people in the world?

Success is finding true happiness in life. Become truly happy always and in all things, regardless of your circumstances. It is a simple choice. Everything else is simply attaining goals.

Are there any signs that a woman is more intelligent than her partner?

The partner tends to act “subservient” to her.

“A desire and a goal not to be subservient to another or to be in charge of one’s life is a good thing to do.”

-- Sunday Adelaja

How can you tell if your partner is going to be committed to you forever without them saying anything?

If you don’t already know, they haven’t made it abundantly clear. If you don’t already know, make them explain themselves to you. Commitment is not supposed to be a mystery for you to ferret out.

Why do stupid questions get lots of answers but the good ones take forever?

I’ve found that “stupid” questions are usually the easiest to answer. Good questions take some thinking.

I'm 41 years old already, and until now, I'm still single. I'm losing hope. What should I do?

You’re at that age when 41-year-old women have the same lament. I’m going to be 70 in a few months. I got divorced around 45 and got myself a vasectomy. I didn’t want any unplanned pregnancies to muck up the mix. This turned out to be my mistake. Women came out of the woodwork and not one of them could have children. I could have left my cherished “package” alone. My point, is that lots of women will be looking for a relationship… soon. I have been “living in sin” for about 20 years, with the same woman.

 How do you answer the question, “Why do you like me?”

I’m a likable guy, so I have no reason to ask this question. If you don't like me, it's not my problem.

Why do people question my authority?

You might sound hesitant. Your “authoritative” voice may need work. You might say things that make people question your knowledge and, thus, your authority. And, don’t forget, some people are basically stupid. 

 What is an important question for you?

“Why?”

“Why?" He asked.

"Why what?" What could I say? Noah, despite you being an asshole, or maybe because of it, I'd like to rip off your clothes and have your babies. Don't tell.”

-- Michelle Hodkin

Can you have good karma if you are not nice?

Nope. 

Do people not respect you as a man if you don't have a wife and kids by the time you're 45?

Well, I think 45 is too late to be thinking of having kids without medical issues, isn’t it?

Do you know what you would call a person who has no memories of anything?

An amnesiac.

Do you believe victory starts in the mind?

No better place to start.

What is a short career objective of a career person?

Promotion. 

Do women love a man with a camera?

It depends on how good he is.

"To photograph people is to violate them, by seeing them as they never see themselves, by having knowledge of them that they can never have; it turns people into objects that can be symbolically possessed."

-- Susan Sontag

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