Questioning Failure, Truth, Curiosity, Stereo, and Truth

 

"It's only when you risk failure that you discover things. When you play it safe, you're not expressing the utmost of your human experience."

-- Lupita Nyong'o

What role did failure play in your journey towards transformation?

Failure and mistakes are the best way we can learn. It isn’t that you’ve failed, it’s what you do with the failure that can make it useful.

If someone asks a question and the person answering this question says that the person asking not only could, but should seek professional help, does this mean that the person asking should listen to the other person advising them to seek help?

If the person answering isn’t rated as “professional help” they should probably seek professional help. The person asking the question should probably pay attention to the people answering their question. But, I’m a self-proclaimed hypocrite, so what do I know?

What are the dire consequences of lies told in our wicked world?

People with no reason for seeking personal “due diligence” believe them. People are pretty much ignorant.

How do you take calculated risks?

I calculate them, and then I calculate them again. When I’m done, I might do it one more time, just to piss my team off. A risk is a risk, calculated or not. If the “risk” goes south, it will probably take people, and their careers, with it. I don’t take “calculated risks” lightly.

Why don’t bad, mean, stupid, ignorant, and/or arrogant people want to know their own dislikes and/or disagreements?

It will simply piss them off. I’m not sure what a bad, mean, stupid, ignorant, and/or arrogant person that is pissed off is like, but, I’m sure I don’t want to be around them.

Can you speak in your head? If you don't, then how do you think?

I have to speak in my head. I have no filter. Without a filter, you tend to piss people off.

"If everybody is thinking alike, then somebody isn't thinking."

-- George S. Patton

What are the implications of calling yourself "the truth"?

Everything you say must be the incontrovertible truth, or you would be a liar.

What are the pros and cons of asking for help versus giving unsolicited advice?

If you ask for help, you will pay attention to the advice. If the advice is unsolicited, you will, in all probability, ignore it.

What can happen at any time, any day no matter what?

An accident.

I started a writing series on my Medium.com blog about living a fulfilling life. What are some of the best milestones and goals to chase each year to make a life meaningful?

Strive to be truly happy always and in all things, regardless of your circumstances. It is a simple choice. As a choice, it is sustainable for as long as you don’t change your choice, which would be counter-productive.

What is a true but often hard truth about life?

It ends.

I was given fame, money, and power. I signed the deal with my blood. Will I be forgiven if I confess?

Forgiveness is the easy part. But, you sealed the deal with your blood. Making the one, holding the agreement, to forget, is much harder.

“Once your name is on my list, your life is over. It’s a deal I make with death, it’s a contract I sign in blood, it’s a foregone conclusion – get used to it.”

-- J.A. Huss

How do I curb intellectual curiosity?

Stop asking questions. To research the answer would take some “intellectual curiosity” that you’re trying to curb.

If religion is not a good way to find truth, what is?

Research. Sooner or later the incontrovertible truth will present itself.

What’s the most positive aspect of your personality?

I’m always truly happy. I have to laugh as it pisses off most of the people I know. You need to strive for true happiness always and in all things, regardless of your circumstances. 

What are some ways to determine if a book is worth reading or watching?

I’m not sure one would get much out of watching a book. Books, by design, are for reading.

Must I fail often to succeed only once?

If you’re smart, yes. Failure and mistakes are the best way we learn, especially to be ready when it really counts. If you haven’t survived once, the next time around you probably won’t survive again. It isn’t failure that teaches the lesson, it’s what you do with the failure that counts. 

What is “I do not steal”?

Obeying of the “Eighth Commandment” handed down to Moses by God.

“Man is not, by nature, deserving of all that he wants. When we think that we are automatically entitled to something, that is when we start walking all over others to get it.”

-- Criss Jami

What happens if two people say hello at the same time?

Stereo.

Is ignorance, the lack of knowledge, or lack of insight? Is it both?

It can be both. You might have great knowledge of pain, but, If you don’t move when you see the baseball coming right at your face, you have a lack of insight into the future.

Are you a positive or a negative person?

Positive. Negativity is counter-productive.

Why do people have negative thoughts and self-doubt?

Their life has given them reason. They haven’t learned any lessons from what life has dealt them. If you don’t learn lessons, you don’t grow stronger to be ready for the next lessons. Negative thoughts and self-doubt are all about personal choice. You must choose to rise above them.

What do you think of when I say "ziogenesis"?

You’ve misspelled the word.

What makes you believe in one belief over another?

Desire and faith that the one I choose is right. Faith is a belief in something for which there is little or no proof. I believe in a life after death. There is no solid proof, but to not have faith is to choose death without ever knowing. I choose to pad my bet.

“Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away.”

-- Philip K. Dick

How can we say something is true when we ourselves are unsure of its veracity?

Faith.

How can you be aware of something if you don't exist?

If I don’t exist, I can’t be aware of anything. One needs to exist on any plane of “existence” in order to have awareness. Even if you’re in a coma, your bodily functions continue to be aware of their functions until they fail. When your mind shuts down, your functions cease to operate and you will no longer exist on this plane. But, if you simply don’t exist, on any plane, then your awareness also does not exist.

Can something be proven to be true without using logic?

Love. There is nothing logical about it.

Why is social control important in society?

Anarchy. Without some kind of social control, like laws, society will eventually fall into anarchy and society will cease to exist. 

What is the first thing that Math proves to be true?

1+1=2

Why do people add long comments criticizing answers when they should write their own answers?

That boggles the mind, and you’re right. I see this all the time. Personally, I credit the League of the Perpetually Offended. They have no bravery to put their thought out there initially, but they will rip you a new one, generally with profanity, for daring to give your own opinion. They epitomize cowardice, and I have no use for them.

“Son, never trust a man who doesn’t drink because he’s probably a self-righteous sort, a man who thinks he knows right from wrong all the time. Some of them are good men, but in the name of goodness, they cause most of the suffering in the world. They’re the judges, the meddlers. And, son, never trust a man who drinks but refuses to get drunk. They’re usually afraid of something deep down inside, either that they’re a coward or a fool or mean and violent. You can’t trust a man who’s afraid of himself. But sometimes, son, you can trust a man who occasionally kneels before a toilet. The chances are that he is learning something about humility and his natural human foolishness, about how to survive himself. It’s damned hard for a man to take himself too seriously when he’s heaving his guts into a dirty toilet bowl.”

-- James Crumley

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