Questioning Nature, Revenge, Life, Sex, and Gifts

 

“You are not entitled to your opinion. You are entitled to your informed opinion. No one is entitled to be ignorant.”

-- Harlan Ellison

What is the nature of stupid people?

Ignorance.

What are some reasons people may not try their hardest, every day, to be happier?

They think that “misery” is something they have to deal with, so they create a misery they might not have. Misery is not something we need to deal with. It isn’t. Being truly happy is our birthright. We should strive for true happiness, always and in all things, regardless of our circumstances. It is a simple choice… and a requirement for our life. When I lost my mother, I was prepared. I said a short prayer, and got on with life, as she would have wanted me to do. Misery is not something we need to dwell on. Recognize it, and move on down the road. 

Why do human beings?

Why do human beings… what?

Why do we refer to a girlfriend/wife as “the” instead of “my”?`

Not so. I refer to everybody I have a relationship with as “my” friend, my wife, my “ex”, my girlfriend, my “whatever” they are. If they are anybody to me, they are “my.”

What should people aim for, in their lives, if life has no specific goal?

Develop a goal you would like to attain. It isn’t rocket science.

When did you realize that it's time to quit your job?

I never had a job I wanted to quit. I worked while I was in high school, was drafted for Vietnam, retired, got another job for 17 years, retired, was called back, and retired again. I never had a job I didn’t like.

“Quitting is never an option on the road to success. Find the way forward. If you have a positive mindset and are willing to persevere, there is little that is beyond your reach. The attitude of being ready to work even in the face of challenges and despite odds is what will make all the difference in your life.”

-- Roopleen

What can you do in revenge against idiots who make stupid answers and have comments disabled, apart from reporting them for harassment?

I ignore them. There is too much drama in life without these idiots adding to it. I smile and ignore the idiots. “Revenge” means you have karma working overtime to take care of your silly revenge. Oh, and karma is after you, not the idiot karma already has scheduled. Let it go.

From whom do our thoughts come from?

From my brain. I wish I could blame God, but He isn’t in the mix… damn it.

What should one do if he notices he's becoming foggy and forgetful? I'm 60 and find myself doing things in the wrong order, skipping steps in processes, not remembering what icon to hit on my phone, etc. Are there particular supplements to take?

I’m 70 and it is already affecting my speech. The brain works fine, but the connection to the vocal cords seems a bit dicey. My typing keeps me on this site. Nothing wrong with my brain. I take “brain health” supplements, with fruits and veggie supplements. These seem to hold it where it is.

Which habits did you get rid of?

Smoking cigarettes, and overeating. Life is too precious. 

How do I live a good deep life?

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

Have you found what you are looking for?

No.  But, I have settled on striving to be truly happy.

“We find what we are looking for in life, her father had once said to her, which was true—if you look for happiness, you will see it; if you look for distrust and envy and hatred—all those things—you will find those too.”

-- Alexander McCall Smith

What do you do when life turns against you?

I have learned to fight.

Why does my wife let me take nude photos of her?

She is a closet exhibitionist.

How can I accept change in my life?

If you can’t fight it, the only other option is to accept it. It is what it is.

What is the best way to not to take things for granted?

Ask questions, of yourself if no one is available. Question everything.

What aren't the five secrets of life?

Stealing, lying, not working, bad hygiene, and rape. There are so many more.

As a real man, how can I deal with my cheating wife?

Divorce.  

“Cheating in a relationship is a sign of self-regulation failure. When it happens once, it is a mistake. When it happens twice, it is unfortunate. But when it happens thrice or more, it is a pattern indicating primitive, uncivilized inhuman behavior.”

-- Abhijit Naskar

Do you want hard sex?

I’d have to find a “hard” woman.

Expensive things are not worth face value. Is this your belief or is it your reality or none of the above?

If expensive things are silver or gold they are worth the time to admire. Are they worth “face value”? If you add in the artwork they have, probably so. And, speaking of artwork, the “masters” are certainly worth the moment to admire, and are worth every penny.

How do I satisfy myself with my fingers?

You need to have a vivid imagination, while you overwork your fingers.

After your wife cheated, did you encourage her to continue?

She didn’t need encouragement for the initial trist, did she? No. I think not. So what makes you think she needs "encouragement" to continue? She is a cheating…

When you die, what do you think you take with you?

Everything you learned. Life is all about learning.

How can a belief system without absolute truth have a moral code? Can a moral code exist without a concept of absolute truth?

You have not defined a “moral code.” Is it a good moral code, or a bad moral code? If it is bad, it can exist without a concept of absolute truth.

“Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one.”

-- Marcus Aurelius

How far would you go to hurt someone who broke up with you?

Not that far. Ignore them for eternity. If they care, they'll hurt. If not, it is what it is.

What choices do you not have in life?

Your mind is not controlled. Therefore, you have all the choices you want. Fulfilling them on the other hand, might be difficult.

How can I date someone I'm in love with?

Uh… you have to ask them? Is this another trick question?

What strategies do you use to handle conflicts or miscommunication within your team at the office?

In military Intelligence, there is no “miscommunication.” Conflicts are handled with an iron fist or a boot in the ass. You put your foot down and the conflict ends.

What came first, humans or nature?

Nature.

What are some signs your wife may not be in love with you anymore?

Another man’s socks under the bed, or your clueless wife adopts a sexual position that she never used before and isn't that creative.

“Some people view love and romance as a sacred bond between two individuals. Other people see love as a game where the goal is to manipulate another individual and gain emotional power over a partner. People who view love as a game are much more likely to have multiple love interest; cheating is just another way to gain control over one's partner.”

-- David Reeves

My husband doesn't give me any gift on my birthday even after 17 years of marriage. Is this normal?

No, but then you married him. This would have been a problem early on, for most married couples.

How can I get revenge on somebody or a group of people who wronged me online?

Getting revenge is wrong. Getting revenge on people who wronged you “online” is idiotic. If you don’t want to be wronged “online,” don’t be online. This is simple. The good thing about “online” is that you have millions of other people to treat you better. If you want to waste your precious time on revenge on those who really don’t care, so be it. I have better things to do with my time. Do you?

How do you deal with people who laugh at you when they accidentally catch you changing clothes?

They are showing their lack of maturity. I would tell them to “grow up.”

What strategies do you and your partner use to resolve conflicts in a way that strengthens your relationship?

We have so few conflicts and when we do, they are important. The insignificant ones, however, are called down when they happen, and we work through them. This is why we have made it to 70 years of age. We take care of issues like mature adults, in minutes, not like fighting kids taking a long time to see the light.

My former professor told me he loved me. He is 40 years older than me. He picked me out of all his students. How did I get so lucky?

You feel you were lucky to get picked out of the entire class by an old letch? I’m impressed by your sympathy, for an old man that wanted a young piece of…

How would anyone claim the very idea that life is ultimately purposeless as absurd? Do they really believe that life truly has a purpose after all? If so, what would that purpose be?

Life is a classroom. We are here to learn. We are born as empty memory chips, waiting to be filled by life’s lessons. When we die, we download what we have learned and start the process all over again. In the end, we can't learn anymore. We are retired after many lives.

“All religions, arts, and sciences are branches of the same tree. All these aspirations are directed toward ennobling man's life, lifting it from the sphere of mere physical existence and leading the individual towards freedom.”

-- Albert Einstein

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