Questioning Happiness, Lies, Rules, Sex, Problems, and Friends

 

“Folks are usually about as happy as they make their minds up to be.”

-- Abraham Lincoln

How do you define happiness? Why do people strive for it and why is it often elusive?

Probably, because they don’t know what true happiness is. How do you strive for what you don’t understand? True happiness is being dirt poor and finding “happiness” is the fact that you live. When you find true happiness always, and in all things, regardless of your circumstances, you have arrived. How hard is this? It is a choice.

What is your relationship like with yourself?

I put up with me. My tastes go to the extreme, but I am cognizant of it. I see no reason to temper it. When I take it all in, I am more normal than many my age. I like me.

Why do dumb people get mad when I say my IQ is 205?

They aren’t mad as much as they are confused. You find it necessary to brag about your score. So, you have an IQ of 205, and anybody can end your life. So, what’s the point? With this score, you should be doing something more constructive than discussing your score on this site.

What is it like to be happy?

You forget what it’s like to be sad. 

At what point is it okay to give up on happiness?

When you admit that you are a loser. But, wait… you live. If you live, then why aren’t you happy? It is never a good thing to give up on happiness. Take a deep breath. If you were dead you couldn’t do that. Being alive is worth… well, living.

How often should you feel happy?

Strive to be truly happy always, and in all things, regardless of your circumstances. It is a choice.

“Folks are usually about as happy as they make their minds up to be.”

-- Abraham Lincoln

What never lies?

A rock.

What do you tell yourself every day?

“It is another beautiful day in paradise, on this side of the dirt.”

Why is it so important to do what makes you happy?

Because doing what pisses me off… pisses me off. I would rather do what makes me happy than to do what pisses me off. I think most people would agree. 

How would you describe your life in one sentence?

True happiness with controlled chaos, in my retired years.

How did life make you happy?

I made the choice, that life would make me truly happy. I strive for true happiness, always and in all things, regardless of my circumstances. It is a simple choice to make for my life. I make a conscious effort to keep drama out of my life, as much as I can.

What is the best thing to do when you are happy in your life?

Smile.

"If you're reading this... Congratulations, you're alive. If that's not something to smile about, then I don't know what is."

-- Chad Sugg

Are there any places with no rules today?

It would seem like the Secret Service plays loose with their rules.

When atheists say science has proven there is no God, is this an expression of their monumental ignorance and hatred of scientific knowledge?

Science and proof. What do they not understand? This is their expression of monumental ignorance, evidencing hatred for scientific knowledge. Note: Science has proven, that during the moment of death, the body loses weight. Is the soul leaving? What science will experience tomorrow will rattle our understanding of God’s universe. However, atheists will probably not accept any explanation that doesn’t fit their worldview.

What keeps you satisfied?

Bourbon. It used to be sex, but, in my later years, I don’t get enough of it.

Are there individuals on [this site] who mention, or give a job title, or educational status, as if they honestly have these credentials being truthful. Or, are they just looking for attention?

You never know. I’m not sure what anyone would get from lying about their credentials. I mean, you don’t have to give any of them, to be online. I have six credentials to choose from, depending on what I need. In reality, I don’t need any of them, since my answers are either good or bad.

How can I outsmart my enemies while being outnumbered?

The “Trojan Horse” scenario, is always a good one.

How does one become?

They learn all about themselves. They accept weaknesses and strengths and ignore everything but “who” they are. Weaknesses and strengths have nothing to do with the selfless person they are supposed to be. They strive to be truly happy, always and in all things, regardless of their circumstances. If they can do this, they have approached the boundary of becoming. To “become”? This is something many have accomplished, and the same “many” are ignorant of.

“They both listened silently to the water, which to them was not just water, but the voice of life, the voice of Being, the voice of perpetual Becoming.”

-- Hermann Hesse

Is anyone still keen to have sex?

Always.

Why is hard essential for achieving success in life?

It isn’t. “Success” is what you define it to be. Success is not what someone else tells you it is. Success, for me, is this: Strive to be truly happy always, and in all things, regardless of your circumstances. It is a choice. It is “success” in life. You can not do any better than being truly happy in life.

How can I set myself up for success?

Become truly happy always, and in all things, regardless of your circumstances. This is “success” in life. 

If God didn't exist, how do atheists explain my brand-new proof? As a logical and critical thinker, I, Kevin McCormick, state that the existence of God doesn't depend on atheism. We conclude even if atheism is true, God still exists by definition.

This is obvious. Neither atheists nor theists can prove their beliefs. Both can define their belief but neither can prove it to be true. The proof will occur when we die. Atheists will probably die, and theists might die and see another life. But the truth, for both, is at the moment of death. 

How can a wife handle a husband who does not support her career aspirations?

Divorce. It is time to find a husband that supports your career aspirations.

How do you know what makes you truly happy?

What makes you smile? Truly smile. A smile you can’t get off your face. This is what makes you truly happy. For me, it is being “selfless” for what I do for others.

“Selflessness. It should be the basis of every relationship. If a person truly cares about you, they'll get more pleasure from the way they make you feel, rather than the way you make them feel.”

-- Colleen Hoover

Do a friend's problems, make problems in our personal life and mental health? I'm seeing a lot of changes in me.

The "problems" friends bring up, should be taken care of by the "friends" that brought them up. If they need some help, you are there with moral support. That's it. Their problems, not yours. If you let their problems take over your life, well… you can see what happens.

What are some strategies for overcoming procrastination and staying focused on tasks?

A job needs to be done, schedule time to accomplish it. During this time, you need to focus on the task at hand. This isn’t rocket science. Okay, it is. But, it is simple rocket science.

How do successful people manage their time differently, and what can we learn from their habits?

People who have successful careers pay attention to what needs to be done. If they need to stay late, they stay. If they need to do whatever, they do whatever. This makes them successful in their career. To accomplish this, they have to manage the time to their needs. To make your career successful, you have to prioritize your career above all else. Work hard, play hard.

Is it possible to be greedy for success without being greedy for money?

Success can be something better than money.

If you don't want to talk to someone anymore or be friends with them anymore, should you give a reason? If you don’t, are you being passive-aggressive? But, what if you have already given a reason why?

If you have given a reason, repeat the reason to them. Not giving a reason is leaving them wondering what’s wrong with you. You should always give a reason. For this "reason" they can think about what they are doing, and adjust their behavior. You should give people, who care, a chance to change.

What are the benefits of telling the truth?

You don’t have to remember the lie.

Reader comment: That’s right, liars end up looking stupid as shit. They can get away with it, with maybe their moms, but no one else.

My reply: Indeed.  

“If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything.”

-- Mark Twain

Is it okay to not care what your friends do?

No, it isn’t. Always care what your friends do. If they are doing something illegal, you could be arrested and not know why. If they are lying, you could be seen as a liar. Your friends and you are a reflection of each other. Be a good reflection.

What will happen if a person with addiction is left alone? Will he realize his responsibilities, when no one is there to look after him?

He might, but his addiction will make it nearly impossible to act on them positively.

How can I develop better habits?

Write down your bad habits. Take the worst of them and work to make it better. Then take the next, and so on, until you have worked through the list. If you don’t want to do this, then you really don’t give a shit. Your bad habits will stand. 

Are runners happier people?

At 70 years of age, I walk at 3:00 every morning. I could run, but at my age, I worry about a heart attack. But back to the question, my walking makes me a happier person. I am doing something to give me more stamina, I feel so much better during the day, and I get to think about my life. If walking can do this for me, I assume running would do the same.

What do I do to prove to myself that I'm an idiot?

Use the back of your bank check to write a note to tell the bank you are holding them up.

Does stupidity actually exist, or is there always a reason behind such unthoughtful acts by people?

“Stupidity” is actually “ignorance” but, people like to call people stupid. It is a trait of being human. Now, if you are ignorant, and see no reason to educate yourself, you might be called stupid for not caring. Just saying. Unthoughtful acts are ignorant.

“Confidence is ignorance. If you're feeling cocky, it's because there's something you don't know.”

-- Eoin Colfer

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