Questioning Principles, Positivity, Age, Trolls, Working, and Learning

“There is a stubbornness about me that never can bear to be frightened at the will of others. My courage always rises at every attempt to intimidate me.”

-- Jane Austen

Do most people maintain their principles and dignity when they find themselves in a situation where they must struggle to make ends meet?

If you don’t, what’s the point of having faux principles supporting your sham of dignity? Everything becomes a lie. Everything you do becomes bullshit to those who know you caved, which will be most of the people you know. The struggle to make ends meet is a lesson that teaches us perseverance in the face of failure, and that failure teaches us to learn and try again.

I'm kinFused, do those who claim to think they are an independent existence that exists only because of itself realize that they don't even know what they think they deny?

What the hell?

I'm getting scared about my life as I am jobless and losing hope. What should I do?

Try harder. Being “scared” is a defense mechanism that separates the wheat from the chaff, those who fight from those who run. Hope is good, but trying is building the foundation for success.

Do most people never learn to think better and be better overall?

Some people never learn. The rest of us continuously work at it.

I find it very difficult to relate to anyone. I struggle to converse because my interests are different, from other people my age. What is this a symptom of?

Onset "maturity." You are experiencing it before people in your age group. You can wait for them to catch up, or live your life ahead of them. It is your choice. I’d start living my life ahead of them. Life is much too short to wait on slackards.

What things should a person learn, so they will never be jobless?

Perseverance, in the face of failure.

“You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.”

-- Maya Angelou

 

If you think "positive" do more positive things happen?

Only if you’re in a situation where positive things can happen, where change can happen. If you’re not, you’ll find yourself in a riptide and constantly failing, no matter how hard you try. 

Author's comment: That's a great point! It's true that positive thinking can't magically control every situation. However, I've found that a positive outlook can help me approach challenges with more creativity and resilience. Even in tough situations, staying positive can help me find opportunities or adapt my plan.

My reply: Indeed.

Do trolls need to be punched in the face?

Yes, but more to the point, they need to grow up.

How do I gain respect and recognition in society?

Find what society needs, but seems not to access. If you can make this happen, you will garner respect and recognition. However, this is a selfish outcome. Doing things selflessly won’t guarantee respect and recognition, but it will still get the job done, and getting it done is the entire point, not respect and recognition.

Is it true that people will always try to do what they think will give them the most satisfaction?

Unless they are helping someone else, and even then, the selfless helping of someone else should give them much satisfaction.

If you were bullied as a kid, how often did you stand up to the bullies?

All the time.  I would shame them, and they would kick my ass until they got tired of being shamed.

I want to start doing good unknown deeds for people. What are some examples of this so I can start?

Buy anonymous gifts for the poor and needy. I do this at Christmas time. You can pay the tab for someone in line at a “low-income” food outlet. I also buy groceries for the local “soup kitchen” in town. The man who runs it is the only person who knows who I am.

“We’re stuck with ourselves all the time, with the thoughts that race around our brains at 10,000 mph, with our feelings, with our daily dramas, and our ongoing struggles. But by thinking about someone else, authentically listening to and connecting with another person, you focus less on all your own strife and struggles. You get a break from you.”

-- Saskia Lightstar

I'm 27 turning 28 years old soon. My parents won't allow me to be independent. What do I do to get myself free from them?

You are an adult, as of 21. What you want, as an adult, is not their choice.

Why do people say that I’m a troll?

Some introspection would help. If you act like a troll, you’re a troll. If not, you probably need to prove it... to yourself, more than others.

Do most people never learn to think better and be better overall?

Some people never learn. The rest of us continuously work at it.

What is the most regrettable life decision you've seen someone make?

Marriage to the wrong person. Your love for them is not, necessarily the true love they feel for you. In short order, they will be cheating in the relationship you have with them. It would be much better to wait for the perfect match and experience lifelong happiness.

Is fighting for freedom and rights worth it?

Fighting and even dying for freedom is always worth it.

Does feeling like a bad person make you do bad things?

If you’re “feeling like a bad person” you’ve probably already done bad things. “Feeling” doesn’t make you do things. It is what you are that makes you who you are. If you want to change, it is a choice you have to make… for your life.

“The sun rises for everyone, sets for everyone, it does not distinguish between good people and bad people, maybe we can call this injustice because it does not favor the good people, but maybe we can say this: Every day the sun gives the bad people a chance to be good!”

-- Mehmet Murat ildan

I decided to call out of work for the day so I can sit in my truck and ask troll questions. Are you ready?

So, you’re admitting to being another self-serving idiot, wasting other people’s time? I don't agree with it, but, kudos for your honesty.

Should young people take leadership?

They don’t have the wisdom to take leadership. Most adults don’t have the wisdom to take leadership. Just look at the majority of idiots populating the U.S. Congress and Senate. It makes a grown man want to cry… if it didn’t piss him off so much. People who elect these idiots need to exercise more due diligence.

Have you been bullied on this site because of your origin?

No. People who do this, say more about themselves than they will ever say about you.

What are things that are more valuable than money, and why?

True happiness. If you are not truly happy regardless of your circumstances, how are you going to be truly happy with all the money you can lose? Everybody loves a happy person, but how many people love those who worship the almighty buck? 

Is my image good or bad? Please reply.

If that’s you with the football, it is good.

The two most important elements of personal strength are independence and the ability to manage the internal relationship between reason and emotion? Are there other important elements?

Those are "elements" but not necessarily important to personal strength and independence.  Try adding: Knowledge, perseverance in the face of failure, and to be truly happy always and in all things, regardless of your circumstances.

“You have power over your mind - not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.”

-- Marcus Aurelius

Is it possible to love working?

Absolutely. I have loved all the jobs I’ve been privileged to work. I have loved all the people who worked around me. It makes little sense to not love the work you choose, or the people you work with. Why are you doing the job, then?

Why do people steal from honest hard-working people?

Because it is who they are, and because they can.

Is it true that I’m a woman of integrity?

That depends. Do you value integrity, above all else? “Integrity” is not something you have one minute and lose the next. You have it always.

How do I value other people?

What do they bring to the table? What do they do for you? Are they friends, support, service providers, and whatnot? What value are they providing you with? In my life, people I don’t know can bring potential value to my life, but I need to learn to know them. Are they future friends? Are they the greeter at Walmart who always gives me a smile and salute from his cap? Anyone can bring value into your life if they want to, just as you can bring some value into theirs.

What is the power of money?

The ability to purchase. The happiness it gives you, however, is fleeting.

How can we manipulate nature as it is?

We “manipulate” nature to what we want it to be, but nature will abide us. Nature will always be nature, regardless of what we do to it. It will grow, live, and die, just as it always has, regardless of what we think we have done to it.

“But man is a part of nature, and his war against nature is inevitably a war against himself.”

-- Rachel Carson

Who should you learn from the most?

People who know more than you do.

 What are the top 15 problems we have in the world?

Governments, war, hate, greed, hunger, violence, intolerance, disrespect, closed minds, fear, unhappiness, theft, lying, organized religion, and homelessness

What will threaten your life the most?

Death. 

Why are 95% of people just average lazy losers?

Where did you get “95%” from?

Reader comment: He counted himself

My reply: Ah! Understood.

When someone else takes advantage of you, what can you do?

Well, if you beat the crap out of the last person to take advantage of you, beating the crap out of the next person seems apropos. The better though, is to stop putting yourself in a position where anyone can take advantage of you.

What do I do about people who think they are better than me?

Nothing. They have enough on their plate trying to look better than they are.

“Those with inflated egos are not well grounded.”

-- Christine E. Szymanski

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