Questioning Brains, Judging, Happy, Deity, Happiness, and Sex

  

“All truly great thoughts are conceived while walking.”

-- Friedrich Nietzsche

Why does my brain get more active late at night? My mind is a storm of thoughts and ideas, relatively more than during the day, which very often leads to many epiphanies.

Remember what the epiphanies were and use them late at night. I answer most of the questions around 3:00 in the morning, after my mile walk. My mind is fresh, and not being pulled here and there. By 8:00, I’m ready to make breakfast.

Why do people say ages 30-40 are the best when they're actually horrible ages?

Actually, these are the best ages to work at a job.

If your 30s are young, what is the immutable scientific evidence behind it?

There is none. Go forth and make mistakes. Learn from the mistakes. This is what life delivers to us: Learning.

Reader comment: And learning, and learning… it never ends.

My reply: Indeed!

How can anyone deliver anything under the destructive polarization of so many ideologies, self-righteous individuals with fake causes and lack of profound foundational approaches? How do you deal with the noise?

You don’t. You are supposed to deliver, so… deliver. That is your job.

People are teasing me as I am innocent and I don't know anything. I am really feeling too low and getting demotivated. How can I get out of this situation?

Stop listening to people who are, probably, more ignorant than you are. You are innocent, not stupid. Stop listening to the teasing. You know what you are capable of, so be capable.

At what age do you feel like you truly 'grew up'?

25. I was in the Air Force for 4 years, starting my 5th year, at 25.

“We are all alone, born alone, die alone, and—in spite of True Romance magazines—we shall all someday look back on our lives and see that, in spite of our company, we were alone the whole way. I do not say lonely—at least, not all the time—but essentially, and finally, alone. This is what makes your self-respect so important, and I don't see how you can respect yourself if you must look in the hearts and minds of others for your happiness.”

-- Hunter S. Thompson

If you hear something bad about a person, and you know them, would you be judgmental?

If I knew them, I’d ask them about the issue. There are two sides to every story. It makes sense that you should hear both sides before becoming judgmental.

Why are so many people suddenly calling me a “troll?” Do they realize it hurts my feelings and makes me sad?

If you’re not a troll, what do so many people call you that? And, if you’re not a troll, what do you care? People are being wrongfully judgmental, so ignore them. Listen to the people that make you happy.

Do you think it is more important to be happy or useful?

It is more important to be happy, and being useful makes me truly happy.

Is integrity still held in high regard, or has it been disregarded?

If you don’t have integrity, what’s the point of life? If you aren’t being honest and have strong moral principles for your life, you are something the cat dragged in. Integrity in life is necessary, to be held in good regard.

Why do people always mention the good things they did to them whenever you wrong them?

I’ve never wronged anyone, not even my ex-wife, though she would balk. I just don’t in me do “wrong them.”

What role do social expectations play in our tendency to dwell on negative emotions? Do societal pressures make it harder to remain positive, especially when we do not meet certain standards?

Social expectations? My emotions don’t dwell around “social expectations.” My emotions are what they are, and I will be the first to voice them. I will “remain positive” as I voice my opinions. We tend to hold our emotions back due to “societal expectations.” No one knows what we really feel, and this causes confusion. Everyone we know needs to know what is going on. If your wife is a whore, so be it. If the husband is a cad, they need to know about him. My wife bad-mouthed me, and everyone knew it was wrong. The fact that everyone knew she was full of it, made me feel much better.  That she became the pariah, caused me to, ultimately, forgive her, many years ago. I became happier, and a more understanding person as I moved on. 

"I do not shy away from accepting that I had a troubled past, but in the journey of coming out of that dark phase, I understand humans better. I am less judgmental and more compassionate. I learned empathy and forgiveness, and that gives me confidence as a person."

-- Amit Sadh

How do some people stay happy all the time?

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

Why do people act like they were born yesterday? Past is prologue.

Not all people act like this. I am 71, and I can tell you I was not born yesterday. I have had a very eventful life, and I have learned much. The past is the past. It is what it is. But, the future… is the next great adventure. I can’t wait!

What is a good alternative to "Don't judge a book by its cover"?

Maybe you should read a couple of chapters… before you judge. 

In this insincere experience of living, there are purposes. One of these purposes is training. One day the training period will be completed. What have you, the reader, determined is the training you are being given? What purpose does that serve?

Living is not an insincere experience. The purpose of life is learning. During training, we are learning. The training may be complete, but the learning will continue. Again, learning is the purpose of life. Make certain you study what you are supposed to learn. During your next life, and every life after that, there will be more learning. It is what we were designed for.

Why do people not like success?

What people are you talking about? I get a kick out of success. Not everybody fits into your definition.

To achieve success in life, what must be done first?

Succeed. Is this another trick question?

"Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice, and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do"

-- Pelé

How can science be used to disprove the existence of a deity?

If you can use science to prove the existence of a deity, there will be a need to disprove it. Currently, it is a belief taken on faith. Atheists, nor theists, can prove the existence or non-existence of a deity. Both have a “belief” and think they are right. The only proof is to die and find out. Any takers?

Why are Western Europeans so smug? Do they do it on purpose, or is it a result of educational conditioning?

I was stationed in Western Europe, and I found the people to be very cordial and personable.

Why are some people always so happy?

It is a choice. You can be saddled with drama, or you can laugh it off and carry on with life. Drama is an emotion you can work through and come out the other side as you go in - happy. Again, you can be miserable or strive to be truly happy, always and in all things, regardless of your circumstances. This is why some people, like me, are so happy always. Let’s call it a curse, being so happy, always.

How do you define a complete person?

Everything works, without assistance. Vitamin supplements are assistance, as are eyeglasses.

What questions can help us think beyond the immediate problem?

What will the “immediate problem” cause in the future? Maybe the problem is not immediate. Maybe, the problem is in the future, and the future problem can be neutralized. That will make the current problem, not a problem.

Where does desire lead you?

Into trouble.

“Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.”

-- Epicurus

Money makes a woman happy, but what makes a man happy?

Sex. 

What prevents you from forgiving women?

When they don’t take responsibility for their, very wrong, actions.

Why do bad things often come to good people?

Balance.

Does humanity have a goal?

Learning.

What is your belief about the purpose or meaning of life? If you do not believe in a purpose or meaning, what is your reasoning behind this belief?

The purpose of life is to learn. Everything else supports the prime directive - to learn.

Is it enough for a person to be honest in order to be a good person?

If they aren’t honest, then they aren’t a good person.

“It's discouraging to think how many people are shocked by honesty and how few by deceit.”

-- Noël Coward

Is it bad to have sex with someone you don't love?

Yes, but it may cost.

Why does everyone tell me, “F#%k off”?

You rub everybody the wrong way. How about not aggravating people?

Is it easier to fall in love or to stay in love?

It is much easier to fall in love than to stay in love. Staying in love takes focus and work. I fall in love every day.

Do I need details of someone, right now?

Why? If you can’t answer this question, you don’t need it.

Can love damage human life?

It does damage every day, usually to one’s heart.

“We accept the love we think we deserve.”

-- Stephen Chbosky

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