Questioning Responsibility, Mistakes, Enjoyment, Opinions, Time, and Reality

Note to my readers: According to the stats for the site I answer questions for, I have garnered 11,490 views of my answers this week. This is about right for the past weeks I have been checking. Carrying this out for the year, I will have around 597,480 views for the year. It tickles me that this many people take the time to read my answers. With all humility, I have to state that I am honored.

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Accountability or responsibility, which word do you realize over the daily life and the job or socialized relationship?

Through both of my careers, I learned that accountability was my responsibility. I took this into my private life. You have to be responsible for your own accountability, otherwise, your life is a lie.

Why do people always want me to say thank you?

They want you to be polite and gracious. Few people practice this. Be the one of the few.

Never forget to treat an elderly patient well because of their amnesia, because in the future people will forget you and you will be at the mercy of professional care, who will never remember how kind you were to others.?

Is this a question or a statement?  You treat every patient well because it is the right thing, and the selfless thing, to do. How people treat you, later in life, has no bearing on how God treats you for being selfless in your actions toward others.

 How does the brain work when we overthink?

It works overtime, trying to keep up.

I tend to have a “won't speak unless spoken to” mindset. How can I improve this?

You can’t. Keeping your mouth shut is a smart tactic. People don’t need to hear what you think, more than they need to know what you will do. Actions speak so much louder than words. When they get to know you, they will tend to ask for your opinion.

How does fate work, particularly chance encounters?

“Fate” doesn’t work, it unfolds. There are no “chance” encounters, there are only encounters.

“No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We, ourselves, must walk the path.”

-- Gautama Buddha

What is it called when you are given a solution but the person who gives you the solution takes away the power of getting the answer with the solution?

I’d call it a mistake a dumbass makes. Why did they give me the solution, in the first place?

As one gets older, does one's tolerance level towards others diminish significantly?

Not for me. I became more tolerant toward others as I got older. Well, not so much the drivers who don’t have a clue, but for everyone else.

I envy a fool. Who knows who he is?

Okay. You caught me. 

What is the meaning of “your life, your rule”?

You are in charge of your life, and since you are in charge of your life, you pick the rules you choose to follow for your life. You can follow societal rules, criminal rules, or your own rules (which can be hit or miss). Most people choose to follow societal rules, which are usually based on good sense, so they can stay out of trouble. Whichever way you choose to rule your life, it is going to be your choice. 

What was the most challenging thing you have ever done?

I opened a “one man” Intelligence office in Sigonella NAS, Sicily. It was in preparation for Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

What’s the most challenging thing that you’ve ever had to not do?

If I didn’t have to do it, how would I know how challenging it was?

“A trap is only a trap if you don't know about it. If you know about it, it's a challenge.”

-- China Miéville

Is it selfish to do something for your own enjoyment instead of only pleasing others?

The safety briefing for airlines comes to mind: “Put on your oxygen mask first before helping the passenger next to you.” The reason is sound. Better to save one that can try to save the other, than to have two dead passengers. You must have some fun for yourself, so you can help others to enjoy themselves. They might be disappointed… until you take them to where you had a little personal fun.

What is the term for a person who speaks loudly in public places?

Deaf.

I thought I wanted something, but now I’m super happy. It is not in my life? What should I do?

Nothing. Continue to strive for true happiness always and in all things, regardless of your circumstances. If you are “super happy,” what difference does it make where it comes from? Strive to hold onto it for your life. It is a choice.

Can you recommend a book with short and meaningful quotes?

“The Wisdom of Cheng-Yu”.

How can I be loved for who I am and not by pretense?

If you want to be loved for who you are, and not the “pretense,” it is a pretty good idea. If you are loved as your “pretense” then you have to remember everything about your pretense. An excellent memory helps, but being who you naturally are is the better tactic. 

Can you share one of your favorite meaningful quotes that resonates with you?

Try this:

“It is what it is until it isn’t, and then it is what it is, again.”

-- F.A. Villari

What in your opinion is the pursuit of happiness? Is this a place of achievement or are we always in pursuit?

Happiness is a choice. Be truly happy always and in all things, regardless of your circumstances.

Why do people on Quora get so offended for no reason?

Not everybody on this site gets offended for no reason. As a matter of fact, of few of us try not to get offended for any reason. The people you have probably run into are members of the League of the Perpetually Offended. These people get offended for no reason other than to be offended.

What is the probability of fulfilling the thoughts you get at midnight?

If you remember them, slim to none.

Are questions stupid if a person is worthless?

No questions are “stupid” as long as they aren’t asked more than once. Whether a person feels they are worthless is immaterial to asking questions. Besides, no person is worthless as long as they can be used, or they can do a task, or as long as they can refuse to do a task. All three options show worth.

What would be a good contemporary topic for a non-technical philosophy discussion for a Socrates Cafe group that avoids political views?

Wisdom.

If you were wronged or you perceive you were wronged, is having anger productive to fix the situation?

No. Anger is the antithesis of production. If you “perceive” you were wronged, your perception could be flawed and what would your anger gain you, then? Anger is the purview of the weak and, according to Gandhi, “The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.”

“The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.”

-- Mahatma Gandhi

Why has the whole world always wasted my time?

Why have you let the whole world waste your time? There is a question of your responsibility in here, somewhere.

Is going hungry rather than stealing food from someone else the epitome of character and integrity?

Indeed! Stealing is a crime that will define our character and our integrity. There are soup kitchens and selfless people who will try to help out. I help to supply a small church with food and containers so they can provide meals for the needy in our community.

Can it be true that you never follow a leader who is more in love with power than people?

Following, you will be as bad as they are. The only reason to follow them is to wrest the power away from them

I got an awful mark in my favorite class on an assignment I was extremely confident in, what do I do?

Talk to the instructor. If you were confident, then there was something you missed.

How do we know that the things we see on television aren't all a bunch of made-up lies that were created as a method of control?

If it looks like a duck, waddles like a duck, and quacks like a duck, it’s probably a duck. Joe Biden is a perfect example of ignorant people believing television’s bullshit.

What is the result of showing a liar the truth?

That depends on the liar. The liar, who doesn’t know they’re lying, might see the light. The liar who knows they are lying will balk at any truth shown. Atheists and theists have a “proof” problem. There is no way to prove either side is right… until they die. This is why both sides have faith in their belief. “Faith” is the belief in something for which there is little or no proof.

“If we suspect that a man is lying, we should pretend to believe him; for then he becomes bold and assured, lies more vigorously, and is unmasked.”

-- Arthur Schopenhauer

Is imagination advancing on reality?

It would seem that way, but “reality” is hard to ignore… unless you’re insane.

What are honesty and trustworthiness?

Honorable traits of a good person.

If you say who you think you are, what are you?

I am me. What else could I be?

Is there a specific term for someone who seeks revenge easily?

A sociopathic narcissist? An Intelligence asset? A hitman? 

Why do bullying and childish antagonism tend to occur against those who hold non-mainstream ideas of reality, eg 'Flat Earth' and other alternative perspectives of reality? Is that what science has devolved to, bullying to conformity?

It has changed to state what we know now. Tomorrow we will validate and know more.

I really need to know this. How do I stop letting the negative voice in my head control me?

Start listening to your positive voice.

“People tend to be generous when sharing their nonsense, fear, and ignorance. And while they seem quite eager to feed you their negativity, please remember that sometimes the diet we need to be on is a spiritual and emotional one. Be cautious with what you feed your mind and soul. Fuel yourself with positivity and let that fuel propel you into positive action.”

-- Steve Maraboli

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