Questioning Expressing, Revenge, Knowing, Lies, Smirks, and Questions

“The more you give up who you are to be liked by other people, it’s a formula for chipping away at your soul. You become a product of what everyone else wants, and not who you’re supposed to be.”

-- Sarah Frier

Is it wrong that I want to express everything, even if I know nothing will come of it, simply because I don't want to keep it inside and "weigh me down"?

I have no filter. As such, nothing is sacred. If it is a thought, it usually gets verbalized. I don’t keep much inside and certainly don’t let anything “weigh me down.” What I expect of myself, however, is what I express is valid. I try not to get in pissing contests with idiots, and there are plenty of them.

How are you your favourite hero?

I have a personal “code of ethics” that I stand behind. What kind of hero are you if you can’t stand behind a personal code of ethics?

Why do I dislike it when someone says “I appreciate you”?

“Well, thank you.” Doesn’t everybody appreciate me? This would be my comment back, not that I really care, but my mother brought me up to be polite. I’ve had to watch my P’s and Q’s in the military. My mother also said that my mouth would get me in trouble, and it usually did. I have no filter. But being polite and respectful helps a lot.

I oftentimes get lost in fantasies and unnecessary thoughts. Why is that?

Too much free time on your hands. You need more reality to focus on.

Why do a lot of rich people love upsetting and bullying people who are in poverty?

I haven’t experienced this, but why are many people in poverty so happy to take a monthly check that they don’t look for honest work? Maybe the rich will help those who are looking for a hand-up and ignore those looking for a handout. With all the crime exploding in the big cities, it amazes me that the working class hasn’t taken a stand against those not reporting for an eight-hour job.

Can it be true that vulnerability is not winning or losing, it’s having the courage to show up and be seen when we have no control over the outcome, vulnerability is not weakness, it’s our greatest measure of courage?

Indeed!

“Owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it. Embracing our vulnerabilities is risky but not nearly as dangerous as giving up on love and belonging and joy—the experiences that make us the most vulnerable. Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light.”

-- Brene Brown

Is revenge always a good idea in life?

No. Karma has its hands full of evil-doers to spend precious time spanking you for your “revenge” ideas. Karma will catch up to them sooner or later.

If you could have a conversation with your future self, what's the one burning question you'd ask, and what do you hope the answer would be?

“Why?” I hope the answer will be the truth, and not “Because.”

How do you learn to recognize your own unconscious assumptions? How do you learn to decide which are true and which are false, and which fall into a third group where you can't decide?

Become aware. Assumptions are assumptions, conscious or not. True or false is a matter of trial and error. As you become more aware, the “third group” will shrink to almost nothing, and your decisions and choices will be much better.

Would you recommend running a loyalty test on the one you love just to be sure if he/she is faithful?

If you date her for a few years, you’ll have done the test. If she truly loves you, you’ll know.

If you could travel to any country solely for its food, where would you go and what would you want to eat?

Mexico. Cubanas and street tacos. I went there for two years when I was just over 200 pounds. When I came back I was 165. I ate when I felt like it and drank beer and tequila. The food down there has little fat and I walked everywhere. It is a paradise for dieters.

Can people's ambitions reflect their true character?

Ambition can screw up one’s code of ethics, and their true character.

“The desire to reach for the stars is ambitious. The desire to reach hearts is wise.”

-- Maya Angelou

What one thing do you wish you had known about life when you were in your 20s?

Women and friendship. If I had known my wife better than I had, I wouldn’t have spent 25 years with her just to find she never loved me. It is a hard lesson to learn in your 40s that a solid friendship and true love can cement a marriage. It is a lesson my parents never taught me. I had to learn it on my own. I’ve been with my current girlfriend for over 20 years, and I am truly happy.

Is it common for people to hide the truth about reality?

They can try, but, in the end, the truth will come out.

What surprises you about your sense of humor?

I have grown to find almost anything funny. If someone gets pissed off, I find that funny, since if they dealt with it on a level playing field they would probably get more accomplished than they would by getting pissed. I will tell them… because I have no filter. 

Where did you learn discipline?

The military. 

How come I’m such a people pleaser? I always freak out if I think someone is mad at me or if they’re upset at me and I always end up taking the blame for things I didn’t even do just to end an argument and so the person isn’t mad at me.

You are more of a “submissive” than a people pleaser. A people pleaser can let the bullshit go. You, on the other hand, let it upset you to the point you will take the blame for things you didn’t do just so people won’t be mad at you. It will be simpler for you to bend over, drop trou, give them your belt, and tell them to spank you until they feel you’ve learned your lesson.

What are the greatest Socrates quotes?

Try these: 

“To find yourself, think for yourself.” 

“Strong minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, weak minds discuss people.” 

“The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.”“I cannot teach anybody anything. I can only make them think”

-- Socrates

What is the craziest lie someone has told you to this day?

I came home on leave from Turkey and found a man’s sock under the bed. Not a sock I would buy. “It’s your sock.”

How do I answer the question “Who are you”?

I am me. Everyone else was taken and I made the best of it. 

How come some addicts live a normal functioning life while others can't?

So, they’re an “addict” and you think this is a “normal functioning life”? They’re called an “addict” for a reason. Do you really want to lead with this? 

Why do people not recognize that I am a troll?

People, in general, are not aware of “trolls” in society. But, you already know this.

I keep sketching 3 things over and over again. Is something wrong with me?

This is old technology. Your “record” has a scratch on it. Slap the side of your head and see if it skips over to normal.

Why is everything so boring to me now? I start yawning even trying to play video games I loved to play some years ago and every day feel like I'm wasting time doing nothing. I'm only 15, is something wrong with me?

Welcome to the onset of adulthood.

"When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things."

-- 1 Corinthians 13:11

Why is a smirk (often from bullies) seen as “bad/evil”?

A “smirk” is an unconscious “tell” that lets you know someone isn’t as good as they would like you to think they are. And, for bullies, well, other than being bad/evil, they’re just stupid to begin with. I mean, think about it. If they were “smart” they wouldn’t have to be bullies.

Why is everyone inferior except for me?

You find fault in everyone except yourself, and you think this trait is exceptional?

This might seem weird, but have you ever almost felt guilty for something you didn’t do just because someone accused you of it? You feel like the perception of others almost makes it feel like you did it even though you didn’t.

That hits me for about a few seconds. Then, I realized this person was psychotic, and they probably did it. I tell them to go find another patsy that might cop to it. I’m innocent. 

How come I'm more clever than the weather?

You’re a legend in your own mind?

Why are memories never 100% correct?

Our memories are correct as to what we paid attention to. For instance, if there is music in the background, but we’re occupied, we don’t pay much attention to it, so we might remember the music, but the tune escapes us. 

 Why do people think it’s cool to cut up their vocabulary and use slang?

People are generally stupid, hence… slang. I use it, occasionally. It may be “cool” but, if you’re smart, like me, not so much. At times, I can hate myself.

“Slang is the suitcase of the damned, my dear. CHECK IT.”

-- Heather Cocks

How do you go ahead and ask your question?

Bingo! I think you have it.

Is it abnormal that I live in a fantasy world and try to make it a reality?

It is more abnormal to live in a fantasy world that you think you need to make a reality. Isn’t your fantasy world your reality? The fact that you can differentiate between fantasy and reality, makes one of them real.

How do I control a female’s mind?

Hah! Good luck! Remember, they’re from Venus.

Why do religious people believe in their faith and not others?

To believe in another religion, they would have to deny their own. It is one reason I am spiritual and not religious. I believe there is some truth to most religious thought. Of course, if the religious thought is radical, violent, heresy, probably not.

What are the lies that girls usually tell?

I’m a virgin. If they feel they need to say it, it probably isn’t true.

Do people who claim not to have beliefs exist? 

Everybody has a belief, even if it’s that they exist or, perhaps, that they don’t. If they believe they don't believe in anything, they still believe.  So, in reality, people who claim they have no belief, must not exist.

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

-- Philip K. Dick

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 in 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