Questioning Understanding, Luck, Happiness, Humans, and Love

 

“Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.”

-- Marie Curie

What is understanding 1%?

"Uh…"

How would you answer your spouse, SO, or partner if they asked you why you love them? Would you get upset because they should already know? Would you even have an answer?

Why get upset? I would say, "I love you because you are with me." Being with me is enough for anybody. I could come up with something to bring a tear to the eye, but "honesty" is all I have right now.

What do you do when your partner stops seeing the future with you? Is it good to still be there and have an optimistic feeling that you'll make them see a future for you?

I see for more than me. If they can’t see, all they need to do is ask.

What traits or behaviors do you think are most important for police officers to have?

Muscular sphincters. They can come under fire at the drop of a hat, so being ready for “war” is a necessity. That is my only answer. The police have my full support.

Can you see the big picture and think outside the box?

23 years in the Intelligence field, so… yes.

How can I hurt pro-choicers verbally?

Ignorance is something you can’t fight. The best thing you can do is recognize ignorance and leave the murdering adults alone. If they think killing a baby is fine, then killing you is just another decision they need to make.

“Today… the greatest destroyer of peace is abortion… because if a mother can kill her own child, what is left but for me to kill you and you to kill me – there is nothing in between. ”

-- Saint Teresa of Calcutta

Today I am about to do the most courageous thing I ever did. Will anyone wish me good luck?

Good luck! Courage is the best thing, next to sex.

On a math test, what does "motivate your answer" mean?

This makes no sense. If you have an answer, you have already motivated it. Math makes so little sense when teaching it. My son’s math professor said, “Point nine times infinity equals one.” Bullshit. There is “point one times infinity” hanging out there, somewhere. I told him to tell his professor he is full of shit. He did. Come to find out they used an “x” factor to make it work. Well, no shit.

Author comment: You have added to the diversity of opinions on this topic.

What do humans not deserve?

A pat on the back for, basically, doing nothing. We do this a lot, nowadays. It isn’t right.

How does ignorance feel?

It feels like I don’t know the answer. That is the entire point of living, to learn. Everybody is ignorant about most things, and they need to go out to find the answers. That is why we are here. everything else is superfluous.

What's wrong with people's mentality on [this site]?

You are on [this site]. So, what’s “wrong” with your mentality?

What are the physical and mental symptoms of having excessive money, fame, and power?

An “inflated ego” comes to mind. I can’t see how you can have all this, especially “power,” and not get an inflated ego. Are they ready to surrender all of that? I think not. This is why the French created Madam Guillotine.

"How very sad it was, the night she fled the scene, 

she didn't want the name of Madame Guillotine. 

She had this silly fear, that if she went to bed, 

she'd suddenly wake up one day without her head."

-- Simon Dame

Do I deserve happiness?

Everyone deserves true happiness. It is a choice everyone must make for their life. No one can make you happy if you choose to be miserable. You need to choose to be truly happy.

What is that one thing that makes you happy no matter how sad you are?

Sex.

Are people who act happy all the time actually happy?

I can only speak for myself. I am truly happy always, and in all things, regardless of my circumstances. It is a free choice I made, some time long ago, after my divorce.                   

What are the biggest fears of man?

My biggest fear… is to die alone.

Do men fear getting attacked just as much as women?

I doubt it. I carry a concealed gun, so I’m ready for some dumbass. And since I’m in a “stand your ground” state, I have the right to shoot you if I feel my life is being threatened.

Is every living being a genius?

Oh, hell no. Most of us are smart, however. "Genius" is out past “intelligent.”

"The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits."

-- Albert Einstein

What is the hardest thing about being a human?

Work. But, it is still easier than scavenging for food, 365 days a year.

What is the meaning behind the phrase "If the truth hurts, then maybe your beliefs need to change"?

That phrase makes no sense if the moron who said it was… well. a moron. Maybe what you need to do is stop listening to morons that think you need to hear the truth. Punch the asshole in the mouth, and then go and try to change. No one has the right to hurt you, truth or not.

What is the nature of humanity?

To learn.

Is it true that some are born smarter than others? If so, why?

There are more scientific explanations for this, but… You learned more than others in your last life, and you brought that knowledge with you, into this life. Simple and to the point. The point of life is to learn. The more you learn, and the more you remember, the closer you are to Nirvana.

What bitter truth do people avoid the most?

Their weight. It’s difficult to lose, and they don’t need to hear about it from you.

Why can’t I have friends?

You can have many friends. It is a choice you have to make. No one prevents you from having friends… except you. If you don’t have friends, maybe you aren’t being “friendly” enough.

"Friends are those rare people who ask how we are and then wait to hear the answer."

-- Ed Cunningham

Can we blame our negative thinking for daimon and evil energy outside? If it is, what makes humans so perfect?

Humans are far from being “perfect.” We think we are excellent, and even that is a stretch. We blame our negative thinking? If it is our negative thinking, we can stop thinking negatively. We like to blame our issues on third parties when we are the “bad kids” on the block. What we can do is stop blaming, and start striving for excellence.

Emotionally, what has been the hardest thing you have ever experienced in life so far?

My divorce, after 25 years of marriage.

What is the disadvantage of not respecting the poor?

If the poor have a job they work, their ass off, to keep, they have my respect. If they are actively looking for work, they have my respect. If they have given up, my respect is questionable. If you sweep out the bar at the end of the night, that demands respect. Any job is a good job and is due respect. Never give up looking for work, looking for respect. It is out there.

What are the disadvantages if you do not respect their elders?

The “elders” are the money that makes the world work. Disrespect them and they disrespect you. 

What are your strengths? What are the possible things, or status, that you can achieve in the future?

My strengths were management and supervision. I achieved everything I tried to do. I cannot think of any job I left wanting. Being retired, I can say, without hesitation, I grabbed the “golden ring” and never let go of it.

I’m better than you. What are you going to do about it?

What am I going to do about an inflated ego? I have better things to do.

“The inflated ego of the tyrant is a curse to himself and his world – no matter how his affairs may prosper. Self-terrorized, fear-haunted, alert at every hand to meet and battle back the anticipated aggressions of his environment, which are primarily the reflections of the uncontrollable impulses to acquire within himself. The giant of self-achieved independence is the world’s messenger of disaster, even though, in his mind, he may entertain himself with humane intentions.”

-- Joseph Campbell

Why do I need someone to love me and like me?

If you don’t know, then you probably don’t need someone. There will come a time when you’ll think about having someone to love and like. Until then, enjoy life.

Why do I help people even though they hurt me?

You are either selfless or an idiot. I’ll go with selfless… since I don’t know you. 

On a scale of 1 to 10, how happy do you feel right now?

I can’t stop laughing. I’m right around a 9 or a 10. I strive for true happiness, always and in all things, regardless of my circumstances. It is a choice I have made. Thank you for making me laugh, though.

What are the hidden messages and meanings in our lives?

Oh, crap! You’re not serious. Hidden messages and meanings? I have my hands full with the obvious.

How do you live with the thought of suffering for what you didn't do?

If I didn’t do it, then why would I live with the thought of suffering for it? If I were going to suffer, it would concern what I did in the Intelligence field. That was 30 years ago. And for that, I am clean.

If everyone here on [this site] is right, then who is wrong?

Your premise is wrong. Not everyone, on [this site], is right. I tend to shoot from the hip. 

“We must start from the premise that — in all likelihood — we are already wrong. And not “wrong” in the sense that we are examining questions and coming to incorrect conclusions, because most of our conclusions are reasoned and coherent. The problem is with the questions themselves.”

-- Chuck Klosterman

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