Questioning Stabilize, Impossible, Enemies, Response, Politics, and Hell

 

"True stability results when presumed order and presumed disorder are balanced. A truly stable system expects the unexpected, is prepared to be disrupted, and waits to be transformed."

-- Tom Robbins

What is the fact that stabilizes us the most in our lives?

True happiness, and a job we love.

Why do I feel like this life just isn't meant for me?

You aren’t trying hard enough. You are, probably, on the wrong track. Try to change tracks and do something different. You might find that it isn’t your life, it might be your choices that need a change.

What do you think about the idea that atheists will be punished for eternity?

They will be permanently dead. Eternity is not in a permanently dead person’s wheelhouse.

Is it natural or possible for an individual to see from another person's perspective even if they disagree with them? And understanding somebody's POV does not mean justifying or agreeing with their actions?

Of course. If you can’t see where someone is wrong, how can you debate them? To take an immovable stand, with no thought of knowing where the other person is coming from, is just as ignorant as the person you are debating. They may have a good argument but don’t know how to voice it. You could be convinced by their argument… if you can make sense of it.

If you could only give one piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be and why?

IBM. If I got into it in the 1970’s I’d be rich beyond my wildest dreams. 

What are some life lessons that you had to learn or realize yourself?

It is okay to fail. Failing tells us that we’re on the wrong track. We need to try a different track, and not give up. Life is all about learning. If we don’t "learn" we waste our life on Earth.

“I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.”

-- Thomas A. Edison

Do you believe in achieving your impossible dream that seems so far?

I have achieved it. Since my divorce in 2000, I have been truly happy always, and in all things, regardless of my circumstances. It was a choice I made for my life. It has worked out well.

What is that one moment in your life, when you felt "I am awesome"? 

When I tied for the “Academic Award” in the Air Force Supervisor’s Course.

What is the difference among intelligent people, smart people, clever people, and wise people?

Some are intelligent, smart, clever, and wise. Some are more than one, and some are all of the choices. When it comes to being one or the other, being “wise” is the best bet. If you have attained wisdom, you can work at being anything else you want to be. Intelligent doesn’t make you smart, but “smart” can make you clever. Wisdom comes from learning. And, if you are more than one of these types, you are in a special crowd. 

Do you believe in “if you let it go and if it comes back, it’s meant to be”?

No. If I don’t want it, I need to try something else.

Lately, I read some of my old answers, and I feel it wasn’t my best effort.  I deleted them. Is that a good or bad idea, from your perspective?

Your answers are who you were. It is history. If it wasn’t your "best effort", then correct it. New information and wisdom indicate learning is constant. People need to see this. 

You are the hero of your own story, so why not unleash your superpowers to make a difference in the lives of others? Embrace your strengths and let your journey inspire those around you.

I have unleashed my “superpowers” on people since my divorce. As a chaplain at the medical center, I tried my best to help people in need. Not to tout my own horn, but I helped several people, in the PTSD ward, to see their problems. I have continued on this path in my favorite cigar bar. A woman wanted to know where I preached. I took her outside and opened my arms to embrace God’s cathedral.

"Love when you can. Do the work that is yours to do. Be the person that is yours to be at any given time. Think to wish for what is yours at this very moment. To love. To serve. To touch. To know. Think to wish for all that is yours to have. Think to wish for all that is yours to do. And think to wish that you might be who it is that you might most fully be. Avoid wishful thinking. Avoid the traps and pitfalls of nostalgia for the past. Savor every moment as it passes. And enlist yourself in saving that which can be saved this very moment, or order that it, too, may endure for others to enjoy."

-- Forrest Church

Who are the real enemies of the people today? Those who are giving the knowledge and skills of the Masters a bad name and threatening them. Those who are saying "You can get rich in life by being stupid!"

Are you answering your own question? I see no reason to answer a question you have already answered, whether right or wrong.

If our personalities could be perfectly preserved and passed on to someone else, would it still be us? 

 No. It will be a mirror of us, but it will not be us.

Is it true that the past is unimportant?

Who told you this? The past is very important. We learn and try not to make the same mistakes again. If we don’t have a past to look back on, we will continue down a very questionable future.

Author comment: Thank you for a straightforward answer, Mr. Villari. Could you tell me then, when people such as Zen Buddhists and Eckhart Tolle say that the past is unimportant, are they wrong?

My reply: Yes. And, my answer stands.

What does it mean to be logical? Is being logical the same as being wise?

As we have learned on Star Trek, being logical is no replacement for being wise.

How can a relationship with God teach someone faith?

It took me a while and a couple of years in Catholic school, but I finally found a relationship with my God and found my faith.

What was your I am an idiot moment?

25 years after I married my wife, I divorced her. I was an “idiot” for ever marrying her.

“It seemed very remarkable that you could travel halfway around the world and still end up looking at some ducks.”

-- Elif Batuman

What is your go-to response when someone suggests praying, as a solution to a problem?

"When my praying is done, and no solution is obvious, what do you think I should do? I can’t wait for years for an answer. Maybe I should shoot from the hip. You know, come up with my own solution. What do you think?"

What is the most enjoyable day of your life?

When my divorce was finalized. I went to bed with a good friend. Nuff said.

What are the main reasons that keep you going, and why?

Because life is a classroom, and life presents problems for us to solve. If you don’t keep going, you are a loser. I am not a loser. If one solution doesn’t work, I will try, try, try again. When you give up, you have accepted defeat. This is not an answer. You must have perseverance to keep on going.

Can consciousness be equated to an experience?

Yes. You have experienced consciousness.

What is the purpose of consciousness if it only leads to experiences of suffering and pain?

The “purpose” of your consciousness is the experience of suffering and pain. What you need is drugs to deaden the suffering and pain. Instead of drugs, you are well screwed. Welcome to excruciating suffering and pain.

How do you train yourself to be more patient?

You should accept the possibility that the people you are about to lose patience with, have dealt with better than you. They are being cordial because that is what they are trained to do. You are on the cusp of breaking their back, and they will not be happy, or cordial. Patience says you should ask what the problem is, and if you could assist them. Assisting them is total bullshit, but you have put your “help” out there as a sign to get them to see your concern. They will be appreciative. Not being patient will simply piss people off.

“The strongest of all warriors are these two — Time and Patience.”

-- Leo Tolstoy

Who is considered the most intelligent and least intelligent person in politics?

Trump = Intelligent in politics. Harris = Least Intelligent in politics.

Is it possible to have ambition without being driven?

“Ambition” is the epitome of “being driven” in life. Ambition is being driven to accomplish something. You can’t have ambition without being driven. The two words are, pretty much, synonymous.

What types of books do you find the most beneficial for your personal or professional growth?

Asian and Western philosophy.

What does it mean for humans to be perfect?

Perfection is impossible. Anything can be excellent, but nothing can be perfect. Perfect means there is no flaw. Everything has a flaw. Is God “perfect”? Read the book of “Genesis” and judge for yourself. It would seem even those we endow with perfection can make mistakes.

What are the consequences of not standing strong in our faith?

You will find that your faith is weak… when you need it the most.

What does it mean to exist forever?

It means that you will exist, as a spirit or a reincarnation. If you think life ends when you die, that may be it for you. I believe I will exist as a spirit or a reincarnation, working toward Nirvana.

“It's enough for me to be sure that you and I exist, at this moment.”

-- Gabriel García Márquez

Which one out of the two is going to burn in hell for eternity, a theist dying or an atheist dying?

Personally, I think the atheists will simply die since they don't follow the "prime directive" of life Theists that have done bad things, will have to go through “remedial training,” before being reborn to learn more. If they continue down this path of bad acting, they will not be rewarded with rebirth. This is just my personal opinion, of course.

How can one balance honesty and kindness in the workplace?

I did it for 23 years in the Air Force and another 17 years in the civilian sector. There is no time for anything else when work needs to be done correctly and efficiently, or people die.

How can we be freed from the devil's wickedness?

Don’t buy into it. Be truly good always and in all things, regardless of your circumstances.

What’s the best way to handle unexpected life changes?

Tuck and roll. Most changes are unexpected. You make your best choices and hope they turn out okay. If they don’t, you tuck and roll, get out of the line of fire, and try to fix the issues. Learning is the “prime directive” of life, and we are always learning.

Do atheists and theists have different definitions of reality?

Only the “reality” that deals with death.

If we're all going to die, what's all the fuss about living?

If you feel you are going to die, so be it. But, if you feel like there is a life after this… glory hallelujah! If you watch your step you can be reborn and learn even more. Learning is why we are here. It is the “prime directive” of life.

“To the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure.”

-- J.K. Rowling

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