Questioning Success, Happiness, and Values

 

"It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness."

-- Charles Spurgeon

Do genius-level inventors like Einstein and Bell take time out for hobbies or do they single-mindedly pursue their goals?

As I understand it, Einstein made a hobby out of women.

What's truly surprising for you?

The current administration and American military commanders leaving all the military equipment in Afghanistan as we tucked tail and ran away from criminal terrorists without saving all Americans and our allies in the country.

Why does "getting richer" mean more greed and less sympathy for others?

It doesn’t. Greed is a choice. Someone has chosen to invite evil into their life.

“I find it odd- the greed of mankind. People only like you for as long as they perceive they can get what they want from you. Or for as long as they perceive you are who they want you to be. But I like people for all of their changing surprises, the thoughts in their heads, the warmth that changes to cold and the cold that changes to warmth... for being human. The rawness of being human delights me.”

-- C. JoyBell C.

Why do we all perceive life in a different way?

So we have an impetus for discussion.

Are you actively searching for the truth? If so, what are your results?

Yes, and I blindly stumble upon it quite often. I have found that most “truth” is really based on the best facts we have at any particular time. This means that we base our “truth” on faith that it is correct, faith being a belief in something for which there is little or no proof.

Curious about the answers given, I wanted to ask what is your own life’s philosophy?

Strive to be happy always, because the alternative simply sucks.

“Do not fear failure but rather fear not trying.”

-- Roy T. Bennett

How long is the road to success?

It is different for everybody depending on the work they put into it and the luck they encounter. More important, however, is the journey to get there. This is where the real-life adventures occur, and why so many people who we think are successful find new projects to involve themselves in. It is, for many, all about the journey, and the next, and the next.

How will explain this statement " If you are who you are, then who you are that makes you who you are"?

You are who you are until you aren’t, and then you are who you are again. Change is inevitable, but you are still who you are when the change is done.

What do you think of the term escape forward? Do you think that the term escape forward is a smart solution? Or just a theory to justify failure?

If you escape backward, you arrive where you are. If you stay where you are, you haven’t escaped. If you escape forward, you do so with your eyes wide opened. You see what is coming. What is coming is usually the consequences of what you escaped from. Better to just learn from the problem, the failure, and move forward with new knowledge.

“But if these years have taught me anything it is this: you can never run away. Not ever. The only way out is in.”

-- Junot Díaz

Is it inherently wrong to not be given a choice?

You always have a choice, whether you’ve been given one or not. You can either do or do not. It is your choice. Now, the consequences of your “choice” are an entirely different issue.

Do you agree or disagree with the following: "Labels limit. No one defines you except you."?

Agree. Everyone thinks they have the right to judge, but nobody can judge you, but you, and the court system, of course, if you really screw up. Calling someone a “fat ass” tells them nothing they don’t already know. It makes you sound like an inattentive idiot. You saw the fat ass and decided now was a good time to tell everyone you just woke up to it? And to what end? To embarrass the “fat ass” or to make yourself feel better about your own shortcomings?

It is not our place to judge lest we be judged. “Know thy self” is a good adage. I am very cognizant of my own numerous shortcomings, so I stay well back from thinking I have the right to judge anyone unless they ask my opinion, and, even then, the person asking may take umbrage at your honesty. Better that you define who you are than to leave it up to some other idiots.

How will you value the one that matters to you the most?

“I love you!”

“Who doesn't want to know that we notice them and value them? And who might respond to us better when they feel that they matter? It probably cannot be overstated – it matters...that people matter.”

-- Steve Goodier

How can you start looking at the bigger picture rather than the current moment?

Aren’t they the same thing? I suppose it's probably my military intelligence training, but when I hear something I immediately think of the bigger picture.

North Korea fires a missile test into international waters near Japan. The first thing one thinks is about Japan’s opinion and response. But, what about Taiwan? What of the U.S. and our involvement in the region. What about Russia and their units in Vladivostok, or our “Freedom of Navigation” in the East China Sea?

My “current moment” for the “big picture” happens almost instantaneously. This was the way I was trained. I suppose the answer to the question, then, would be to be always cognizant of the “big picture” and current events. Stay educated on how people and countries might respond to an issue. Read. When the news reports a situation is “no big deal” you can shake your head and think, “Standby for news.”

What are some things that have nothing to do with money, but can make you successful?

Good friends, a loving family, constant happiness, and most other things that money just can’t buy. This is true success. If you attain “monetary” success but aren’t happy, what’s the point?

What methods do you use to evaluate your life?

Self-critique. This is pretty simple for me. Each morning, when I wake up, I ask myself if I’m happy. Well, I woke up, and any day on this side of the dirt is a good day. I thank God for the gift of another glorious day in paradise and another chance to excel in life. I evaluate my life to see if I’m still happy. If I’m still happy, then I am successful in maintaining my goal. Happiness is an easy goal to sustain, as it is all about making the conscious choice to be happy always. The alternative simply sucks.

“Stop walking through the world looking for confirmation that you don't belong. You will always find it because you've made that your mission. Stop scouring people's faces for evidence that you're not enough. You will always find it because you've made that your goal. True belonging and self-worth are not goods; we don't negotiate their value with the world. The truth about who we are lives in our hearts. Our call to courage is to protect our wild heart against constant evaluation, especially our own. No one belongs here more than you.”

-- Brené Brown

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 opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, 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. 

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion, in an arena of mutual respect, concerning those opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the 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 the United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. He spent 17 years, following his service career, working with the premier, world-renowned, Institutional Review Board helping to protect the rights of human subjects involved in pharmaceutical research. Ordained 1n 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As the weapon for his war on intolerance he chose the pen, and 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 own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He currently resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteered as a chaplain at the regional medical center.

Feel free to contact Pastor Tony:  tolerantpastor@gmail.com

Questioning Child Rearing, Happiness, and Ethics

“We begin with the child when he is three years old. As soon as he begins to think, he gets a little flag put into his hand. Then he follows the school, the Hitler Youth, the SA and military training. We don’t let him go. And then when adolescence is passed, then comes the Arbeitsfront, which takes him again and does not let him go until he dies, whether he likes it or not.”

-- Robert Ley, Nazi labor chief, 1938

 

Is life without freedom bad?

Yes, but why believe me? As a Military intelligence analyst, I’d advise you to ask a Cuban, or someone who lived under the Soviet regime in Russia or the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia, or ask a Nicaraguan why they’re pouring into our country in droves. And, if you can find one still alive, ask a Holocaust survivor if freedom is bad.

Do you witness the successful application of the ideas of Malthus nowadays?

Certainly not in countries with a vibrant and overused welfare system or abortion rights. We feed people who refuse to work, and abstinence before marriage is a thing of the past, as marriage itself is in danger of becoming.

Why do parents often end up bullying their children and pretend it is discipline?

Parents have careers, and child care centers have become surrogate parents. A good thing? Parents, for the most part, were not parented correctly, themselves. We tend to repeat what we go through, thinking it’s correct when it isn’t. Their children will, more than likely, repeat this cycle with their own children and so on. Perhaps we’d be better served to leave Critical Race Theory in the “better to have never considered it” category, you know, the toilet, and teach children how to be tolerant and supportive parents and how to be happy always, along with the basic education we pay the teachers to teach. The children will be better adjusted for the time we put into it.

“Are You a Parent or a Bully? Mentally and physically abusing your children is NOT okay. Real parenting does NOT consist of bullying your children, belittling your children, manipulating your children, beating your children, or cursing at your children. Children are a blessing! Many women can’t get pregnant and/or carry to term. Think about that! Parenting should be taken seriously. Children need LOVE, support, and guidance, NOT a bully! Children shouldn’t fear their parents. It’s important to create healthy relationships with your children, seriously.”

-- Stephanie Lahart

Which is more useful in life, logic or wisdom?

Shouldn’t logic beget wisdom? We learn, through trial and error, to make good logical choices. This good and logical knowledge we pass on to students, people looking for answers, and others. This logical knowledge is the wisdom we pass down through the ages. It may not always be right, but with failure, we learn more knowledge and our wisdom changes. Change, as we should all know, is the only true constant in the universe.

What will you do for your happiness today?

I woke up! Any day you spend on this side of the dirt is a great day! I have the gift of another opportunity to excel in life. How great is that?

What helps you adapt to rapid or difficult changes?

Acceptance. Change happens. Why worry about those things over which we have little or no control? Better to pay attention to those things you can exert control over, like debt, choices, decisions, laws, morality, and righteousness. It is a concept most of us should get on board with.

“The measure of intelligence is the ability to change.”

-- Albert Einstein

What can you relate to, young or old, in your life that you identified as a striving toward something?

Choices. I came to the realization that life is all about the choices we make. If you let someone else run your life, that is your choice. If you are constantly miserable, that is your choice. When I realized this, I started asking myself the most important question any of us can ask, “Why?” What I found out was that everything in my life was the result of a choice I’d made. So, I decided to make another choice. I made the conscious choice to strive to be happy always, and this meant putting a great distance between me and misery.

I stopped incurring debt and hanging with people who were not supportive. I took the jobs I wanted to do and dated the women who wanted to date me. Life not only became easier, but it became so much happier.

It is rare for anybody to teach us how to be constantly happy in life, but this is one of the most important aspects of living life. If we do nothing else, we should strive to be happy always.

What are your top 2 things the world would be better with more of?

Understanding and tolerance.

How much discipline is necessary to succeed?

As much as is necessary.

“Do not train a child to learn by force or harshness; but direct them to it by what amuses their minds, so that you may be better able to discover with accuracy the peculiar bent of the genius of each.”

-- Plato

Without mentioning badness nor giving examples, how do you define “goodness”?

Ethical morality. I’d explain it, but you said not to give examples.

What are some circumstances in which something is necessary, or that required some course of action?

Saving Afghanistan, or, at the very least, all of the Americans and our allies before we turned tail and ran away from the terrorist rabble that took it from us.

How are rules important?

Rules are important for organized structure and clear understanding. Rules help to create laws and govern civilized society. Rules help to ensure safety and save lives. Without rules you have anarchy.

“We started off trying to set up a small anarchist community, but people wouldn't obey the rules.”

-- Alan Bennett

In a society today or in your own life, what sorts of things shackle the mind? Why?

Socialist ideology and the inevitable mass indoctrination.

What unusual ritual brought you profound joy recently?

It was a beautiful day in Pass Christian, yesterday, so I told my mother I’d clean up her large enclosed patio which had become overgrown with weeds, especially growing between the bricks. It was rote, physical labor that I don’t have the chance to do that often. Helping my mom with this brought me great joy. Although, this morning, not so much. I have all-body hurt.

What are the important qualities of a good son or daughter? Have these qualities changed or remained the same over time in your culture? Give reasons for your answer.

That they are a good son or daughter. This isn’t common anymore, being good, having good ethical and moral standards. I blame it on the insidious indoctrination they go through in school. We thought we had a handle on bullies, but bullies are back in full force if you don’t conform to the new indoctrination. Young people confront and attack people eating in restaurants and on the street. It is too bad.

I think we will either, see history repeat itself as people are segregated and put into gulags for political reasons, or we will be part of a necessary revolution in order to save our freedoms. The people who will really suffer in this are our sons and daughters.

“Your children are not your children, they come through you, but they are life itself, wanting to express itself.”

-- Wayne Dyer

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 opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, 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. 

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion, in an arena of mutual respect, concerning those opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the 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 the United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. He spent 17 years, following his service career, working with the premier, world-renowned, Institutional Review Board helping to protect the rights of human subjects involved in pharmaceutical research. Ordained 1n 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As the weapon for his war on intolerance he chose the pen, and 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 own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He currently resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteered as a chaplain at the regional medical center.

Feel free to contact Pastor Tony:  tolerantpastor@gmail.com

Questions of Selflessness, Ethics, and Influence

Does life have to have meaning to be lived?

You can live without meaning, but wouldn’t that be your meaning? The lack of meaning? You can live close up in your home, vegetating, but to what end? It really isn’t “living,” per see. Life without meaning is a choice, but life without meaning really isn’t living.

How important is ethics in our everyday life?

I consider it very important, but there are those who think ethics are bendable for a cause. Ethics are bendable, and this bending of personal ethics defines who these people are in society. I prefer to be defined by my ethics and not by how far I’m willing to bend them for society or personal gain. Some might judge me as closed-minded, because of this, but this is good evidence that they really don’t know me.

Why is being under 20 years old so bad?

Other than having issues in school, I thought being under 20 was pretty cool. But, it had plenty of competition when I joined the military. Life, then, became outstanding!

“Anybody can look at a pretty girl and see a pretty girl. An artist can look at a pretty girl and see the old woman she will become. A better artist can look at an old woman and see the pretty girl that she used to be. But a great artist-a master-and that is what Auguste Rodin was-can look at an old woman, protray her exactly as she is...and force the viewer to see the pretty girl she used to be...and more than that, he can make anyone with the sensitivity of an armadillo, or even you, see that this lovely young girl is still alive, not old and ugly at all, but simply prisoned inside her ruined body. He can make you feel the quiet, endless tragedy that there was never a girl born who ever grew older than eighteen in her heart...no matter what the merciless hours have done to her. Look at her, Ben. Growing old doesn't matter to you and me; we were never meant to be admired-but it does to them.”

-- Robert Heinlein

What book, song lyrics, poem, author, poet, philosopher, movie, teacher, parent, or other influence on you has made a profound impact in your life?

Leo Buscaglia. Look him up online and you’ll find numerous clips from his presentations about life.

Who you look to will determine how far you go in life. How true is this statement?

You can “go far in life” in many ways. Monetarily, or not, who you look to as a mentor will help to determine who you become as a person. I have come very far in life, and have looked to many others for wisdom. What I have learned from others has determined the way I think and seek. It has determined my unwavering spiritual faith and selflessness.

What can you say about this quote, "The less you open your heart to others, the more your heart suffers"?

You can’t truly love until you truly love. Love isn’t about expecting recompense for what you give, but about your selflessness in the process of giving, giving because it’s the right thing to do.

If you “open your heart to others” without the expectation of meaningless sex, you do so because love and caring for others demands it. But, more importantly, if you live your life always searching for love and happiness, you’ve missed the point that love and happiness are a choice, not something you can purchase or find. You have to make the conscious choice to stop being miserable and start living what you think you have to find, or you will die never being truly happy or loving.

“It is impossible to escape the impression that people commonly use false standards of measurement — that they seek power, success and wealth for themselves and admire them in others, and that they underestimate what is of true value in life.”

-- Sigmund Freud

Why do I see the world in a more altruistic way and don’t hold definitions like “kindness is weak”?

Because you are better than most? You sound like you are a selfless and caring person. “Why” you do what you do is so much less important than the fact you do it. Don’t be concerned with definitions or the League of the Perpetually Offended, just continue to do what you do. Do good, always. Be selfless, always. If someone thinks you’re weak for what you do, simply smile and thank them for their ignorant opinion of you, or tell them to go screw themselves. I’ve found both to be satisfying.

Have you ever thought, what's in it for me?

Whenever danger is involved. I’d really like to know what kind of “cookie” I’m risking my wellbeing for. More times than not, I ask this question of myself, just to make sure I’m okay with my choices.

Which individual is the most unique?

The 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso. Nuff said.

“If you celebrate your differentness, the world will, too. It believes exactly what you tell it—through the words you use to describe yourself, the actions you take to care for yourself, and the choices you make to express yourself. Tell the world you are a one-of-a-kind creation who came here to experience wonder and spread joy. Expect to be accommodated.”

-- Victoria Moran

Is fame a common good?

No, and many have said that “fame” isn’t all as good as they thought it would be. Fame, like money, can’t necessarily equate to truly long-lasting happiness. I think those people who have fame thrust upon them have an easier time dealing with it. Because they didn’t expect the fame it is probably easier for them to let it go and return to being the person they were.  

What has been your day and perspective in life?

Strive to be happy always, because the alternative simply sucks.

Do some people have to accept that they will never become well-adjusted people? Or is becoming well adjusted open to everyone?

Whose definition of "well-adjusted" are we working with? I am so not “well adjusted” to many people. I balk at being indoctrinated by “education” centers. I go there to be educated, not to be told how well-adjusted, to their idea of the norm, I am. I question everything, even that which society would say doesn’t need to be questioned. I even question God, and my faith is stronger for it.

If you feel you “will never become a well-adjusted person” then, to my way of thinking, you are on the right track. All you are required to do in life is question everything and hold to a personal set of morally ethical values. What is left is someone else’s opinion of who you are or what you should do, all that is in your purview, not theirs.

“It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society.”

-- J. Krishnamurti

What life questions would you have someone in their late 20s consider?

Should you go into personal or monetary debt and belong to someone or some company? Do you really know what love is, before you tell somebody you “love” them? Have you discovered how to be really happy always?

What service did your supermarket have for free that you did not realize until someone else told you about it?

COVID inoculations in the pharmacy.

What captivates your life? How can it be a solution to your country’s problem?

Patriotic selflessness. Stop the selfish partisan actions to try and take over the country and destroy our Constitution, our sovereign borders, our energy independence, our economy, and our children’s education.

“Patriotism means to stand by the country. It does not mean to stand by the president or any other public official, save exactly to the degree in which he himself stands by the country. It is patriotic to support him insofar as he efficiently serves the country. It is unpatriotic not to oppose him to the exact extent that by inefficiency or otherwise he fails in his duty to stand by the country. In either event, it is unpatriotic not to tell the truth, whether about the president or anyone else.”

-- Theodore Roosevelt

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 opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, 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. 

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion, in an arena of mutual respect, concerning those opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the 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 the United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. He spent 17 years, following his service career, working with the premier, world-renowned, Institutional Review Board helping to protect the rights of human subjects involved in pharmaceutical research. Ordained 1n 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As the weapon for his war on intolerance he chose the pen, and 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 own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He currently resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteered as a chaplain at the regional medical center.

Feel free to contact Pastor Tony:  tolerantpastor@gmail.com

Questioning Needs, Wants, and Such

“We all spend so much time not saying what we want, because we know we can't have it. And because it sounds ungracious, or ungrateful, or disloyal, or childish, or banal. Or because we're so desperate to pretend that things are OK, really, that confessing to ourselves they're not looks like a bad move. Go on, say what you want. ... Whatever it is, say it to yourself. The truth will set you free. Either that or it'll get you a punch in the nose. Surviving in whatever life you're living means lying, and lying corrodes the soul, so take a break from the lies for just one minute.”

-- Nick Hornby

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Note to my readers:  Well, I seem to have broken another personal record, without trying.  From the end of August 2021 to September 2021, my answers have been read 32,100 times.  As humble as I am, I have to admit that this made my morning.

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How do we get all of the things that we need and some of the things that we want?

Work.  Pay for all of the things you need. Whatever money you have left, get some of the things you want. A big proviso, though… don’t ever go into debt for those things you want. Debt is reserved for keeping you alive.

Are you willing to put your career on the line and uphold your moral compass? Or would you rather look the other way? What can you do?

I always have, and I always will stand for my ethical beliefs. To look the other way defines the kind of person you are, and I’ve never been able to look the other way when I have an opportunity to get knee-deep in it.

Is it possible to lead a richer life with less consumerism?

If you believe in material things, probably not. But, for those of us that believe happiness is the key to a rich life, most definitely. Money cannot buy true happiness. A person’s wealth should be about family, friends, and holding to ethical and spiritual beliefs.

“We have to create culture, don't watch TV, don't read magazines, don't even listen to NPR. Create your own roadshow. The nexus of space and time where you are now is the most immediate sector of your universe, and if you're worrying about Michael Jackson or Bill Clinton or somebody else, then you are disempowered, you're giving it all away to icons, icons which are maintained by an electronic media so that you want to dress like X or have lips like Y. This is shit-brained, this kind of thinking. That is all cultural diversion, and what is real is you and your friends and your associations, your highs, your orgasms, your hopes, your plans, your fears. And we are told 'no', we're unimportant, we're peripheral. 'Get a degree, get a job, get a this, get a that.' And then you're a player, you don't want to even play in that game. You want to reclaim your mind and get it out of the hands of the cultural engineers who want to turn you into a half-baked moron consuming all this trash that's being manufactured out of the bones of a dying world.”

-- Terence McKenna

What are some examples of the statement, “history is not always what it seems”?

Oh, my goodness! Most teachers haven’t taught real history in ages. They teach what they’re told, as the political winds blow, and that is just bad teaching. Examples? Critical Race Theory, Black Lives Matter, Antifa, teacher’s unions, and any other group or belief that seeks to change, rewrite, or flat-out forget our history, are suspect.

Would you want to be good at a lot of things or great at one thing?

I would love to be very good at just one thing, but being good at several has served me very well. I am the quintessential, “good at many, master of none.”

What do you like and don't like about going into deep thought?

I find myself standing at the edge of the abyss, looking out into infinity. I could stand there for hours, but I have many other things to do in this life before I can contemplate infinity that deeply for as long as I’d like. I usually end up staring into the abyss until it stares back, and then I smile and return to reality. Life still needs to be lived.

“When a poet digs himself into a hole, he doesn't climb out. He digs deeper, enjoys the scenery, and comes out the other side enlightened.”

-- Criss Jami

What is the miracle you have experienced from God? How do you know that it's from God?

All miracles are the purview of God. It is a matter of faith.

I was privileged to have a “clown” minister who, the first week on the job at the medical center, gave a child a fabric rose and told her she could have it if she would give it to her mother and tell her she loved her. The girl never said a word, but smiled, and skipped over to her mother with the rose. She went about her rounds. When she returned to reception, a receptionist informed her that the little girl had done what she said. The receptionist said it was a miracle because the girl is autistic and has never told her mother that she loved her until that day. A cry-fest ensued.

Have you ever felt like a stranger was watching you?

All the time… and I wish she would quit it. 

Am I unhappy, or am I just ugly?

You can be one or the other, both, or neither. It is entirely up to you.

Personally, I strive to be happy always, because the alternative simply sucks. And, as far as looks, I freely admit I’m not the most handsome guy. I’ve been told, however, that I have a very attractive personality. This is good since I can do nothing about being more handsome, but I can definitely remain attractive to the ladies.

What we are on the outside has very little to what real people see on the inside. I like to hang around real people who see you for who you are and not judge the book by the cover. Treat others the way you wish to be treated and strive to be happy always. This has served me well.

“If you think something is ugly, look harder. Ugliness is just a failure of seeing.”

-- Matt Haig

Does the world corrupt people, or do people corrupt the world?

People make choices for their lives, therefore, people allow the world to corrupt them. But, the world, the people at large, must have been corrupted, to begin with, by something evil, and the battle rages on.

What is the best advice that you have heard?

Stay out of debt!

Why are we usually more inclined to do good to others when we are happy?

I think so. Selfishly, we’re more inclined to take care of ourselves when we’re sad, which is a good thing. You can’t really take care of others until you take care of yourself. Healing you is the one time when selfishness is excusable. Does the world corrupt people, or do people corrupt the world?

People make choices for their lives, therefore, people allow the world to corrupt them. But, the world, the people at large, must have been corrupted, to begin with, by something evil, and the battle rages on.

“As the sun does not wait for prayers and incantations tob e induced to rise, but immediately shines and is saluted by all, so do you also not wait for clappings of hands and shouts of praise tob e induced to do good, but be a doer of good voluntarily and you will be beloved as much as the sun.”

-- Epictetus

What does it mean to have mixed feelings about a man?

That would depend on what mix of feelings is being felt.

Do you consider yourself to be a disciple of Christ?

When we look at the definition, “a personal follower of Jesus during his life, especially one of the twelve Apostles.” or “a follower or student of a teacher, leader, or philosopher,” I would fall into the second category because obviously, I am not a follower of Christ during His life… unless I’m an immortal.  I am not an immortal.

What is the ultimate user of a good or service?

I would say, the "what" is a "who" and the "who" is a customer or a client.

"People do not buy goods and services. They buy relations, stories, and magic."

-- Seth Godin

 

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 opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, 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. 

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion, in an arena of mutual respect, concerning those opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the 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 the United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. He spent 17 years, following his service career, working with the premier, world-renowned, Institutional Review Board helping to protect the rights of human subjects involved in pharmaceutical research. Ordained 1n 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As the weapon for his war on intolerance he chose the pen, and 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 own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He currently resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteered as a chaplain at the regional medical center.

Feel free to contact Pastor Tony:  tolerantpastor@gmail.com

Questions of Destiny, Decisions, and Ethics

“No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path.”

-- Gautama Buddha

In what sense is an indecisive person considered driftwood?

If they ultimately just go with the flow?

Do you think that "never say never" should be everyone's motto?

You shouldn’t ever say “never” because, the moment you say it, someone out there will work hard to prove you wrong. Better to leave the door of doubt open, just a crack, so you don’t get caught being so very wrong.

Why should a good life be chiefly valued?

All life should be valued, but the question addresses being “chiefly” valued. I suppose I have to ask, why would you place living a bad life above a living good life? Why would I value Hitler above Gandhi?

I value Gandhi because he valued life, peace, and righteousness. His thoughts were constructive for the world. Hitler, on the other hand, valued killing all that wasn’t his idea of pure Arian heritage, which is counterintuitive since he, himself, was not of pure Arian heritage. Millions of innocents died to forward the philosophy of this insane leader.

No. One should always value life, but to put a bad life above a good life is simply not acceptable to me. Now, if the good life makes the righteous choice to save the bad life, this would be evidence of why this good life is so very good.

"If you truly believe in the value of life, you care about all of the weakest and most vulnerable members of society."

-- Joni Eareckson Tada

Can you show us a picture that demonstrates how money can’t buy taste?

No, because someone’s taste is a personal thing. What you like, I might not. What you blow money on, I might not think is worth the cost. What money “can’t buy” is true happiness. You might not have any taste, whatsoever, and yet, still, be the happiest person on earth. So, having said all of this, a picture will not demonstrate anything but my personal bias.

What's truly surprising for you?

A senile old man with a dodgy memory being the President of the free world, and a woman who failed miserably in the polls is the Vice-President. What is surprising for me is that anyone in the United States can actually claim to be awake and cognizant of what’s going on around them. It is what it is, I suppose.

Why is it important to be ethical in communication for everyday life?

What if the sky is always falling or you constantly cry “Wolf!” to those around you? Pretty soon no one will listen to you.

Everything you communicate needs to be well thought out, constructive, and ethical. How, why, and what you communicate is a reflection of who you are to those around you. If you don’t value this, you will soon become a member of the League of the Perpetually Offended, and we will not expect any constructive and cogent thought to issue from your pie hole.

The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn't being said. The art of reading between the lines is a lifelong quest of the wise.

-- Shannon L. Alder

How do you acquire wisdom?

Pay attention to life.

When you are faced with two decisions, how do you make the right choice?

Which one meets my personal “morally ethical” requirements? It matters little how good the two decisions are. It matters much how ethical they are. Always strive to do make the best morally right and ethical decision possible.

How is honor always earned?

Strive to be always honorable. Let’s look a the definition: A person or thing that brings credit. Adherence to what is right or to a conventional standard of conduct. This is not too difficult for those of us who adhere to a “personal code of moral ethics.” Consistently ethical conduct is one way to ensure you always act in an honorable and respectful manner. Honor isn’t earned as much as it is lived. Be honorable always.

Men and women in the military are supposed to reflect this sense of honor throughout their military careers. Many learn a code they may never have considered. Many tout that they have it, yet act like they have no clue. Those who adhere strongly to their code will, more than likely, bring it with them through the rest of their life.

True honor has no time limit; once you have it, it is very hard to shake it off. Those who spend a career in the military know this better than most, but those who have given much for God, country, mom, and apple pie, also have a pretty good grip on the concept and, if they’ve given their all, God bless them.

“The most tragic thing in the world is a man of genius who is not a man of honor.”

-- George Bernard Shaw

In times when the world is becoming more uncertain and volatile, what could average joe or above can do to adapt and thrive in the future? Not just financially, but in other aspects of life as well like where to move/immigrate.

Rise above it all and be the instrument for change. The “average Joe” can be the voice of reason, of change, or one of the silent cowards who go along to get along.

Moving or migration is just a way of saying you have no reason to stay and fight. It has no importance for you. If your world has no importance for you where you are, what importance will it have for you where you move? We have people coming into the United States who want our freedom so they can change this country into the hell they just escaped from. What sense does this make? 

Freedom is just another word unless you’ve sacrificed to keep it. If you want to live, adapt. If you want to thrive in the future, be the impetus for change in the now. “Average Joe” isn’t so average if they stand for something.

Were there instances when you thought you could have used reason better in making a decision rather than your own experiences and vice versa? What are those instances?

Where did you learn your reason? I learned mine by success and failure, by learning through experiences. Could I have used better reasoning? Probably, when I was much younger and didn’t have the knowledge and experience I have learned from through my life. I have had a few poor instances, like my waste of a 25-year marriage and some stock investments, but I have had so many more good instances where my reasoning was significantly more sound. 

How will you explain the phrase uttered by Socrates: "What makes a human person unknowledgeable is the fact that he knows nothing and yet he did not know that he knew nothing"?

If you don’t know yourself, you know nothing. And, if you don’t know yourself, of what use to you is the knowledge you think you know?

“The only thing I know is that I know nothing, and I am not quite sure that I know that.”

-- Socrates

A year on, how is life better for you?

Barring the death of my aging mother or a devastating hurricane on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, life will be glorious, as always.

The phrase "thinking outside the box" is defined as thinking in an original or creative way. But what about those who prefer to think inside the box? What are the pros/cons of living life this way?

If you stay “inside the box” you limit yourself to those things already tried and true, to those things already known. There is no discovery, no new knowledge. The big “pro” is that you remain safe. The big “con” is that you remain safe because you’ve taken no risks to, maybe, discover something, learn something new that isn't "inside the box."

Reader comment:  And there’s no guarantee that the box will continue to be “safe.”

My reply:  Not if the “League of the Perpetually Offended” has anything to say about it. 

Is it our destiny to change destiny?

Wha…what? Destiny is what it is. If you think you’ve changed destiny, you really haven’t. You end up right where destiny was always going to bring you. It is what it is until it isn’t and, even then, it is what it is - your destiny.

"They often say, 'What's the point in astrology if you can't change your destiny?'. Well, it's true that you can't change your destiny, but still, it helps knowing about gravity."

-- Kedar Joshi

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 opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, 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. 

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion, in an arena of mutual respect, concerning those opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the 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 the United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. He spent 17 years, following his service career, working with the premier, world-renowned, Institutional Review Board helping to protect the rights of human subjects involved in pharmaceutical research. Ordained 1n 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As the weapon for his war on intolerance he chose the pen, and 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 own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He currently resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteered as a chaplain at the regional medical center.

Feel free to contact Pastor Tony:  tolerantpastor@gmail.com

Questioning Failure, Reality, and Success

“Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one.”

-- Albert Einstein

Why is it an easy thing to fail than to win?

Anyone can fail, all they have to do is make the choice not to try. Winning requires a bit of work, a bit of trying. In order to succeed one has to make the choice to win.

Why did it take you so long to realize that you needed to be real?

Even the most intelligent among us must learn to realize who and why they are. For many, it is an “Aha!” moment that takes many years to recognize. When one finally has their moment, then they are confronted with unlearning who they pretended to be in order to be who they really are.

Do you know what you want, and do you want it now?

I always know what I want, and I always want it.

“I don't want whatever I want. Nobody does. Not really. What kind of fun would it be if I just got everything I ever wanted just like that, and it didn't mean anything? What then?”

-- Neil Gaiman

The world is so full of a number of things, why are we not all as happy as kings?

Because true happiness comes from within. You can’t find it in a world “so full of a number of things.” You must make the conscious choice to be happy always, regardless of your circumstances, or how will you ever be happy?

If you had a LIMITLESS supply of whatever it is that you most DESIRE, would that be good enough to SATISFY you?

Oh, goodness, no. If I had an endless supply of chocolate chip ice cream, I’d get sick of it pretty quick. Life is about enjoying variety.

Can teamwork ever mean having to sacrifice individual excellence?

Yes. A true leader doesn’t hog the limelight when success is achieved. They step back and applaud the entire team and highlight those who specifically contributed to the success. So it is during the accomplishment. The leader steps back and guides. A good leader will let others take the lead in order to see who might be ready for more responsibility, or leadership of their own team. The “excellence” of the leader has already been determined, or they wouldn’t be the leader. Now is the time for them to show just how good of a leader they can be.

“It is literally true that you can succeed best and quickest by helping others to succeed.”

-- Napolean Hill

What’s the one thing you've always wanted to do?

It isn’t a thing.

What are your ideas in the quotation: “Everyone has something unique to offer and when we unite in a common goal our actions are powerful”?

This is the quality of putting together a well-functioning team. You don’t want everyone to have the same strengths. Each team member must bring their own strength to the table, and recognize the strengths of the other members. In this way, the team becomes a powerful and functional force for success.

What is understanding?

Uh... I’m not sure.

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

-- Albert Einstein

How do you feel after realizing that as a grade 10 learner you now have an important role to play in your family and in your community?

If I’m a sophomore in high school, what idiot levied all that extra responsibility on me? I have enough drama to deal with dodging the bullies and trying to graduate. I’ll worry about this other crap when, and if, I make it into college.

You are camping inside a tent with your wife and your daughter. You walk outside then notice two large-sized lions are approaching your tent. What will you do?

You mean, after I soil myself? It depends on what weapon is available to me. Barring a weapon, I need to become a bigger threat than the lion by yelling loudly, waving my arms, and throwing whatever is at hand.

Why do some people promote good and some people promote evil?

The universe demands balance.

"Fairness is a human concept. Balance is a universal one."

-- David James Lees

Are 18-year-olds happier than children?

The drama and stress of impending adulthood do not contribute to happiness.

Which betrayal do you think is the least acceptable? Why?

Infidelity. Both parties are supposed to be invested in the relationship - for life. The betrayal of love is probably the most emotional betrayal. It is evidence of failure on many levels, and probably of both parties. Emotionally, it is probably also the hardest betrayal to recover from, if ever.

How do you value your time? How do you value your life?

My time is so much less valuable than my life. Without life, time is immaterial.

“In youth, there can be a feeling that time moves too slowly. But, as we age, the acceptance that our time is limited prompts the wise to cherish each and every moment.”

-- Wayne Gerard Trotman

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 opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, 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. 

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion, in an arena of mutual respect, concerning those opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the 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 the United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. He spent 17 years, following his service career, working with the premier, world-renowned, Institutional Review Board helping to protect the rights of human subjects involved in pharmaceutical research. Ordained 1n 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As the weapon for his war on intolerance he chose the pen, and 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 own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He currently resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteered as a chaplain at the regional medical center.

Feel free to contact Pastor Tony:  tolerantpastor@gmail.com