Questioning Problems, Wisdom, Umongus, Democrats, Character, and Love

 

“Solving a problem for which you know there’s an answer is like climbing a mountain with a guide, along a trail someone else has laid. In mathematics, the truth is somewhere, out there, in a place no one knows, beyond all the beaten paths. And it’s not always at the top of the mountain. It might be in a crack on the smoothest cliff or somewhere deep in the valley.”

-- Yoko Ogawa

Why do you think problem solvers tend to think outside of the box when they can just uproot the problem itself?

As a “problem solver,” uprooting the problem is the easiest fix… if you have something to replace it with.

Can it be true that people settle for a level of despair they can tolerate and call it happiness?

Yes, but why? Ignore despair and go with true happiness. Settling for despair is choosing to make life suck. I have settled for true happiness always, and in all things, regardless of my circumstances. It is a choice I made, given the options. I have been truly happy for 20 years.

Why does love make me do stupid things?

Ah, love… makes you not think of anything but your love. Hence, the problem. 

Why is it that life isn't easier? Why do people have to work to get their needs met?

It’s called learning. It is why we are here, to learn. If you don’t learn you will stay where you are, through several lifetimes, until you learn to learn. It is what it is, so get to it.

 What makes people feel threatened by other's success?

Jealousy.

Why do good people get punished while bad people get rewarded in life, according to karma?

They are getting rewarded because karma hasn’t got to them… yet. Karma works on its own schedule. 

“Karma comes after everyone eventually. You can't get away with screwing people over your whole life, I don't care who you are. What goes around comes around. That's how it works. Sooner or later the universe will serve you the revenge you deserve.”

-- Jessica Brody 

How does a wise man deal with a stupid person that thinks themselves to be intelligent?

A wise man would smile, and ignore the ignorance. They aren’t stupid, they are ignorant.

How can I be smart at maths and sciences in general?

Study, and ask questions of people in the know. If you are smart, you will learn. If you’re not smart, you’ll still learn… just not that much. I have books that create a small library. The titles go from art to zen. I use them for reference, for the papers I write, and the answers I give. I’m not that intelligent, but I seem to be very smart. Being smart can give you an edge. I balance on the edge... frequently.

How does a wise man deal with a fool?

He is wise, so he doesn’t deal with fools. 

How do you foster an inclusive environment where everyone feels heard, valued, and respected?

Create a “social club” where people can be heard, valued, and respected. It isn’t all that hard.

How can a husband express his love to his wife, when she says she doesn't love him anymore? What can help her understand his feelings for her?

She really doesn’t care. She has told him what he needs to hear. He needs to act on it.

What can I do when my hopes and dreams get destroyed?

Create new hopes and dreams. What you do is up to you, not anybody else. Get away from the people who destroyed your hopes and dreams. Surround yourself with people who will help you, not destroy you.

“The fear of failure has sabotaged many hopes and dreams.”

-- RJ Intindola

What's the meaning of "Umongus"?

Beyond huge.

What regret do you want others to avoid?

Divorce. It isn’t fun for one of you.

What is the reason behind people saying "I don't mean to brag"?

They are getting ready to brag… all over you. 

Is morality dependent on religion or belief in God, or can atheists also have good morals?

Anybody can have good morals, even atheists. 

When did you gain consciousness?

When the delivery doctor spanked my "baby" bottom. 

What should I do about my wife’s infidelity? She thinks I don't know.

Don’t act ignorant. Tell her, and then plan to file for a divorce.

“The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge.”

-- Daniel J. Boorstin

Are Democrats stupid or just lazy folks with failed lives?

It’s a toss-up.

Is it stupidity that causes so many Americans to still believe in God?

Is it stupidity that so many Americans don’t believe in God? There is no proof to bolster either side. Atheists and theists have the same problem - proof. The only way to find proof is to die. The problem with this… is coming back.

Has everything already been done by humanity?

No. We haven’t landed on Mars or been to the stars.

Do I have to be either a Pessimist, a Cynic, or a Misanthrope to survive in real life? Is it recommended to see the world through "jade-colored glasses"? Aren't Optimism, Idealism, and Philanthropy seen as juvenile and a waste of time?

Being a realist is the better thought. Optimism, idealism, and philanthropy may seem juvenile, but they are not always a waste of time. You don’t have to be a pessimist, a cynic, or a misanthrope to survive real life, nor do you have to wear “jade-colored glasses” to see the facts of the world around you. Be a realist, live life, and learn. Sometimes, we get lucky.

What steps can one take to become more of an "optimistic pessimist" instead of just a "pessimist"?

I would think, you would want to be optimistic about your pessimism. If you’re not, what’s the point?

Can being optimistic be beneficial when facing challenges without solutions?

There is always a solution to a challenge, and being optimistic helps… a lot.

“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”

-- Anne Frank

What does it mean if a bad person treats good people well?

You’re a bad judge of character?

My wife has had a horrible attitude lately, should I spank her?

Ask her if you should. She may say yes. There is something about a bare-handed spanking that gets the blood… well, I get off track. Ask her, and see what she says.

How does a wise man deal with his cat?

That depends on who is wiser, the man or the cat.

Why are 13-17 year olds and 18-20 year olds impulsive?

So, what you’re saying is, 13 to 20-year-olds are impulsive. which makes some sense. 13 to 20 are the years before adulthood. 12 is the step before the “teen” years, and 20 is the step before adulthood. 13 to 20 is the age of impulsiveness. If you survive, you are an adult.

Thoughts of the day?

Beautiful legs and a nice butt.

What does a 20-year-old experience in life?

If they have their head screwed on right, true happiness and kickass sex. If they are like most people, they will experience a pit of despair and misery due to their lousy choices in life.

“Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood.”

-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Is teenage love useless? And if it isn't can you explain why?

Teenage love is not useless, It is a learning experience, like everything else in life. Experience is paramount in any activity, especially with love and friendship.

What is the relationship between failure and success, as seen in the story of Albert Einstein?

Learning.

This is a literal question so I’m going to say literally… What type of person am I or something that understands how life goes on? This can be a stupid question or maybe I’m a little smarter.

No question is stupid unless you ask it more than once. Literally, you are the type of person you try to be. Hopefully, you are trying to be you, which takes no effort, and life will continue on its merry way, whether you choose to join it… or not. Maybe, you’re a little smarter than to sit on a bench and vedge. Live life.

Author comment: Yes, and nowadays I eat enough.

What is something about you that I don't know?

Other than my military training… I’m a great guy, and I like women.

Do individuals that make it to the top do so thanks to their personal talents and hard work, or thanks to systemic forces that mysteriously promote them to the top?

If the “powers that be” are smart, the personnel will be promoted due to merit. Talent and hard work are what a company needs to succeed. To be promoted to the top, based on nothing, is “ignorance personified” and the company will reap nothing for it.

If ten couples from the ghetto, ten from suburbia, and ten from wealth, were forced to live in the same neighborhood and associate with each other, would the children gravitate, toward a similar style of living? Which direction is likely?

You haven’t told us about their work ethics. How they work makes a lot of difference.

“Good is the enemy of great. And, that is one of the key reasons, why we have so little that becomes great. We don't have great schools, principally because we have good schools. We don't have great government, principally because we have good government. Few people attain great lives, in large part because it is just so easy to settle for a good life.”

-- Jim Collins

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