Questioning Best, Fear, Maturity, Truth, and Signs

 

“Thirty years ago my older brother, who was ten years old at the time, was trying to get a report written on birds that he'd had three months to write, which was due the next day. We were out at our family cabin in Bolinas, and he was at the kitchen table close to tears, surrounded by binder paper and pencils and unopened books about birds, immobilized by the hugeness of the task ahead. Then my father sat down beside him put his arm around my brother's shoulder, and said, "Bird by bird, buddy. Just take it bird by bird.”

-- Anne Lamott

What is the best project management tool?

Excellent two-way communication. Management gives complete and cogent communication, and the personnel responds with complete and meaningful feedback.

Why do I keep seeing old friends and enemies from high school in my dreams?

Are they dying?

Why are there so many rude and abusive people on [this site] now? It used to be a nice place for getting answers. Now, it's like 1 in 5 answers is by extremely rude people who want to be abusive. I don't know what happened.

It is being populated by members of the League of the Perpetually Offended. They live to bait people for answers and then treat them rudely for whatever answer they give. You learn to ignore them. The best thing you can do is report them to the management team and let them deal with the problem. In this way, management understands the pervasive problem good people have to deal with.

What's a part of fame nobody talks about?

Misery.

What should I do so that Catholics respect me, but at the same time do not think that I am proud or on the contrary a loser?

Why do you want Catholics to respect you? Why don’t you shoot for the moon and want everyone to respect you? Respect is something you give and, hopefully, get back. It really doesn’t matter who respects you as long as they are good and moral. Be a good, selfless, person and give respect to those who deserve it. You will be respected for your efforts. As far as the Catholics are concerned, if they don’t respect you for being good, selfless, and righteous, well… there’s nothing you can do to help them.

How can you find that you are relented, but you don't know your talent?

Relented? What does abandoning a harsh intention or cruel treatment of something have to do with talent?

“Our lips met and it was like everything was right in my world again. This was exactly where I was meant to be, in this moment.”

-- Nina Levine

I have a fear of being successful sometimes and of handling the pressures. And yet, I will never know if I also do not get there. Has anyone experienced this on their own career or success journeys?

I had the fear in the military, and to a lesser extent when I retired and got a new job in the civilian sector. You are right, in that you will never know until you put yourself out there and find out. It isn’t about the ultimate outcome, it is all about the journey. Be brave.

What would you do (in the next 12 months) if your wish is realized this month?

Build an outdoor meditation center where people can come to walk and relax.

Why has Quora become increasingly stupid over the past few years, when it used to be relatively interesting, helpful, and — dare I say it — intelligent?

Whenever an onsite destination, like this one, is seen as becoming “stupid” it has to do, in large part, with the stupid people populating the site. There is not much to do about it except to put your best foot forward and be a good example for others.

Author's Comment: Yes. I should maybe have worded the question a little more clearly. I was using “Quora” synecdochically. But you’re right — best foot forward’s the best way to go. 

How can we do differently in our field as experts in our profession?

You can expand the horizons of your field, and not settle for stagnation.

How can parents, educators, and the whole society help youths develop their talents?

They can put their focus on the children’s education. Stop trying to indoctrinate and start educating. Talent develops through education. Reading, writing, and arithmetic need to come back as the main focus for educating our children, not socialist indoctrination.

What are the ethical considerations and challenges associated with the increasing use of AI in decision-making processes across various industries?

Making certain that AI does not take over the human race, might be a consideration.

“People worry that computers will get too smart and take over the world, but the real problem is that they're too stupid and they've already taken over the world.”

-- Pedro Domingos

Why am I so immature at 16? I have tantrums, I have very childish interests, and my mannerisms are usually like a child's.

No significant adult mentoring. Get involved in martial arts. Then, get involved in sports. Then, join one of the military services. This should take care of your issues. The military will get you involved in looking for an interesting occupation.

Why are people raising their pitch like they are asking a question, but really they are making a statement? I hear people doing this and it bothers me.

Point it out to them. Tell them that you can hear them in their regular pitch, it isn’t necessary for them to raise it. They may not even realize they do it.

What is a non-religious moral framework?

You need to discover a good “moral framework” that has nothing to do with religious tenets. This will be difficult, as anything good and “moral” has come from thousands of years of some religion that held it dear. History, then, would be evidence that any “non-religious moral framework” would not be very moral, much less righteous and good.

What is the answer when people ask, "Why are you worried?"

‘What makes you think I’m worried?”

Can thinking about something for a long time change our minds? How does this work?

It can. Time gives us a chance to look at all sides of the thought. Sometimes, we can find that our choice might be flawed. The ability to keep an open mind has a lot to do with the way we consider each opinion.

How do you show someone that their lack of faith is a choice?

Ask them why they lack faith. Everything we do in life is a choice, even thinking.

"The lack of faith is not doubt. It is certainty."

-- Abigail van Buren

What is a logical response to someone saying, "That's a lie." in an argument, even though what they said was true?

How would denying this be “logical” if what was said was true?

What does the phrase "choose to have faith" mean?

“Faith” is simply a belief in something for which there is little or no proof. Faith, for the most part, gives birth to hope. Hope is the cornerstone of life. Without hope, we really have nothing to live for. Choose to have faith.

After a break-up, why do people say they're "not ready to love again"?

Experience tells us it is difficult to recover from a broken heart. Sometimes it takes years.

How big is reality? What lies beyond it? And why are we here?

Reality is everywhere. What lies beyond it, is more reality. We are here to witness reality. We are supposed to learn from reality and deal with reality, but, it would seem a growing segment of the population are incapable of accomplishing this simple task.

If the truth shall set you free, why are people being attacked for being honest about the TQ+?

The League of the Perpetually Offended. They don’t care about truth and honesty. They only care about being offended, perpetually. Truth and honesty will set us all free.

What makes some people more successful than others? Is success about luck or skill?

True success is all about being truly happy in life. If you think your success is based on luck, your success with be fleeting. Now, if you attain a goal, the same rule applies. A sustainable goal is based on hard work and expanding skills. You have to keep up with the updated skills of your chosen goal or you will lose your edge and, ultimately, you will lose the goal you attained. 

“Shallow men believe in luck or in circumstance. Strong men believe in cause and effect.”

-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

What are some signs that it might be time for a new rule in your life?

Divorce, an STD, or both.

Why do people say, “You don’t choose who you love.”?

It depends on the country you’re in. “Arranged marriages” care more about security and little about the love between two people. In a free society, however, you get to choose the person you love, even if it doesn’t work out.

What makes sleepovers more fun for extroverts than introverts?

The “fun” would depend on whether the “introvert” was submissive, or not.

What are some signs that indicate that, in the near future, we may experience challenging times?

Have you seen “AI” in the news, lately? Different countries and their desire to develop “artificial intelligence” will put us all at risk for a “Terminator” style storyline.

What does it mean when an ex-partner keeps asking what happened between the two of you?

They don’t have a clue, which is a good explanation.

How do you treat a person who has gotten into an argument with you?

I walk away, take a breath, and then I forgive them for their ignorance. Nothing is worth treating a person with little respect. Sometimes you have to admit that you simply can't cure stupidity.

“Don't raise your voice, improve your argument."

-- Desmond Tutu

 

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 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