Questioning Ownership, Past/Present, Change, Happiness, Belief, and Awakening

"Human beings are capable of extraordinary things. We can create and we can destroy, we can love or we can hate. Some people believe they have souls. While others think that there is only this. Just this. Reality. The news. Killings, wars, bombings, hate, prejudice. Death.

And death? No one ever dies on television. Only the bad guys do.

Not you. Just them.

So death is without meaning. Happens without meaning due to media. We see but don't feel, we watch but haven't experienced. We can only sympathize. A gun doesn't fire on its own and a fanatic doesn't just wake up one day and become a murderer. Hate doesn't have a face. Death doesn't have a face. Human beings become that face. All of us every day. Whether you like it or not."

-- R.M. Engelhardt

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Over the past week, my answers were read by 13,140 people.

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Do people have children because they like making humans or because they want a human of their own?

Primarily because they want to continue the bloodline.  Of course, they might have made the mistake of not using birth control. It is what it is.

Can you write 100 things about yourself?

Probably.

Do you think if someone does not know how to argue well or debate well, they should let their friends tell them what to do and how to think and how live their life because if you can't debate that well, it means you lack intellect?

You need to learn where to put commas, and a "to" should go before "live". 

Now, if they have friends that act like that, they are not very good friends. The person may not lack intellect, they may be ignorant about the discussion. The best thing real friends can do for them is educate them.

What positive change do you envision in your life between this year and next year?

I will be another year older, and another year smarter.

What is your past life story?

Born in the South. Moved to Southern California. We moved to Central California and attended 4th through my second year of college. I was drafted and joined the Air Force for 23 years. When I retired, I found a job with a medical oversight company. 20 years later I retired for good. I am now 71 years young, and enjoying my retirement.

Can the world /life be an unfair place sometimes?

Most of the time, until you realize that life is giving you lessons to learn. Life is all about learning.

“We now accept the fact that learning is a lifelong process of keeping abreast of change. And the most pressing task is to teach people how to learn.”

-- Peter Drucker

Was life better for past generations or the present generation? Why or why not?

This is a tough question to answer. If you were in the past, you’d think things were skippy. Every generation thinks their time is cutting edge. And then, there is tomorrow, and it will have something that we marvel at.

Is smartness more about knowledge or the ability to adapt quickly?

 It is about knowledge and the ability to adapt quickly. Intelligence may not do this for you… unless you are also smart.

What’s a saying you’ve heard that you always think about?

“Reality is what it is, and what it isn’t, it isn’t.

Sometimes, what it is it isn’t, and what it isn’t, well... it is.

Other times it is nothing, and then it isn’t anything.

If it's nothing, it isn’t, and if it isn’t anything, it is.

Naming "nothing" makes nothing something;

Therefore, whether it is or it isn’t, it must be,

Because even nothing that isn’t, already is.”

What does it mean when someone says, "You have an old soul."

You have much “wisdom” that comes with age, but you have it as a younger person.

If all atheists did was hurt my feelings a handful of times I would see no need to bring them up. A couple full-blown nihilistic Atheists decided to try to make an Internet name out of me others would tear me to shreds. What is with you people?

This is what a cadre of atheists do. The best thing you can do is ignore them. They just aren’t worth your time.

What are the points to note about life and hardship?

Learning. Life has handed you “hardship” so you can learn.

“Any fool can know. The point is to understand.”

-- Albert Einstein

When the time is right, will you change?

When the time was right, I did. At 71 years of age, I doubt I will be changing anymore.

Is it true that highly-smart people are in many cases undermotivated? If yes, why?

No. Many of them, are not “intelligent” but they are very motivated to learn. What you might want to watch out for is the “intelligent” person who is also smart. Many of the personnel in the Intelligence field are smart and intelligent.

What are the unforgettable experiences you had in your life?

My divorce, in 2000. I still remember the bullshit.

What does a person do, if they've suffered too much from life's difficult trials?

They give up. They don’t want to learn anymore. The “suffering” is supposed to teach them something they can’t or won’t learn. The problem here is the suffering, probably, won’t stop. They will either try to deal with it or try to ignore it. But it will still be there.

I still believe that relationships are pure and emotions are pure. Am I right?

Hmmm… I’m not so sure.

Has fate ever taken a hand for you, once or more than once?

My “fate” is what I make of it. If my life is crap, I did something wrong. If my life is excellent, then I must have done something right. Your “fate” is in your hands.

“It matters not how strait the gate,

How charged with punishments the scroll,

I am the master of my fate:

I am the captain of my soul.”

-- William Ernest Henley

What would you do for your happiness?

I strive for true happiness, always and in all things, regardless of my circumstances. Happiness is a choice, like everything else. All you need to do is make “true happiness” your go-to.

What are the sad facts of life?

We will, at some point in the future, die.

Money doesn’t make anyone happy, because there is a deep yearning for truth, in all of us. Do you agree?

Money can make us happy… in the short term. But, if we strive for true happiness, always and in all things, regardless of our circumstances, we will be fulfilled. It is a simple choice we need to make for our lives.

Which are the things that only come with age?

Age spots.

Why is society so fixated on money and all the material things? What is life? What is heaven and hell, because nothing is real within our reality?

There is much “real” in my reality. I am not "fixated" on money. In the Air Force, I learned to make the few dollars I made stretch for the month. It is what it is. I made my reality “heaven” from the hell I was handed, and it was easygoing. Society might be fixated on money, but that doesn’t mean you buy into it. Happiness costs nothing.  It is a frame of mind.

How do you beg for mercy to save your life?

I don’t beg. If they're going to kill me, they better do it. The morons won't have the satisfaction of seeing me beg. Given the chance, I’ll take them with me. Go down fighting.

“Damn those who crush the innocent. But blessed be the ones who restore that which was stolen.”

-- Lucian Bane

What is one thing you no longer believe in?

Genesis. It makes no sense.

What does happiness mean, and how do different philosophical perspectives—like Aristotle's eudaimonia, utilitarianism, and existentialism—shape our understanding of it? How can we apply these ideas to cultivate happiness in our lives?

You look to “philosophical perspectives” to define happiness when happiness is with you always. All you need to do is find a reason to smile or laugh. It is a choice that most people overlook. Put Aristotle’s thoughts down, and try to define your own happiness. I strive daily to be truly happy, always, and in all things, regardless of my circumstances. It is my choice, as it should be yours.

Author comment: Thank you for sharing your thoughts! I appreciate your emphasis on happiness as a choice and the importance of finding reasons to smile or laugh. It’s empowering to think that happiness can be within reach regardless of circumstances. I agree that personal definitions of happiness are crucial and that philosophical perspectives can help inform our understanding. I'm curious, what specific practices do you use to cultivate that daily happiness? I’d love to hear more about your journey!

My reply: As I said, happiness is a choice you have to make. Everything else is subservient to what you want - happiness. Everything else is drama.  Focus on being truly happy in your life. Don't frown, don't fall from happiness.  Be the light that everyone wants to see, always. As for my "journey," if you read my offerings, you can put it all together.

Has your friend ever given you advice that turned out to be meaningful?

Back in the day, yes. Now I take advice from lawyers. Their “advice” seems to be more meaningful to my problems. 

My mother always told me, "Anyone can take your necklace, your house, your car, your money, but no one can ever take your education away from you." Is this the truth?

Only if your education is based on facts. If it isn’t, what’s the point? Everything "material" can be taken from you. Material “crap” should be seen as fleeting. It can be taken at any moment. But, who you are, your emotions, define who you are as a person. It defines who you are in today’s society. No one can take who you are. Who you are belongs to you.

At what point did you realize your childhood was over?

When I grabbed my Dad’s hand and told him that I understood.

Do we have to be happy every day?

Yes. If you aren’t truly happy, you aren’t trying hard enough. Strive for true happiness, always and in all things, regardless of your circumstances. It is a choice you have to make for your life. I have been truly happy for over 20 years, now. 

“True happiness... is not attained through self-gratification, but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.”­

-- Helen Keller

Is it possible to awaken every person simultaneously?

No. If nothing else, time zones will prevent it.

What makes a man rich, thought or money?

Good thoughts make people rich. You can lose your money, but you can’t lose your thoughts. Make your thoughts good.

How can life be easier for everyone?

Understand you are here to learn. Anything else is supporting the prime directive.

What is the saying "money can't buy everything" mean? Is it true or false? If it is true, what are some things that money can't buy? If it is false, what are some things that money can buy?

It is true. You can’t buy true love from one special person, just like you can't buy true happiness. Emotions aren't for sale.

What are some effective ways to manage stress?

Stress is nothing more than drama. Don’t let drama rule your life.

How can we truly know if we are free in life?

You aren’t truly free to do what you want. Laws prevent certain behaviors that can harm you or other people. You are truly free to go live in the wilderness where you can be truly free to do what you want, as long as you don’t harm others. Most people accept rules as a prerequisite to living in a safe society.

"I follow three rules: Do the right thing, do the best you can, and always show people you care."

-- Lou Holtz 

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