Questioning Life?

“Two great questions exist in each day; 'what must I do excellently today?' for morning and 'what did I do wrong or right today?' for evening. When we fail to know the real reasons why we wake up each day and why we retire at night, we fail to know the real reasons why we live.”

-- Ernest Agyemang Yeboah, educa

Why do people think they have nothing to live for?

Because they don’t understand “why” they’re here. This is about them, and then, it isn’t. They are here to learn, to absorb, and to move on into the next life. They have everything to live for, taken in this context. People who think they have nothing to live for, need to put themselves in my father’s position after his last stroke.

He couldn’t speak to communicate. He wanted water that he couldn’t have because his throat would have let it drain into his lungs. He was a Sicilian who loved to cook and eat food, but he couldn’t ever eat again and had a feeding tube. He wanted to come home, but he couldn’t because he’d die. He died anyway, alone, in a cold convalescent hospital, being given “comfort care” because there was no hope.

Do you taste food? Do you drink a cold glass of water? Do you go outside to feel the sun on your face? People who think they have nothing to live for are so selfish it makes me sick. They have everything to live for, if they took precious time out of their misery to see it, to feel it, to taste it. But they just don’t want to understand why they have so much to live for. They are so selfish they would rather die than live. How sad is that?

Is it weird to not have a boyfriend in high school?

My son didn’t have a girlfriend in high school and most of college. As a father, I was a bit concerned. I asked him if he was gay, not that it would matter to me, I’d love him anyway. He explained to me that he was focused on his studies and would date when he was out of school and had a good job. He was, in fact, on the dean’s list all but the last year of college. And, he did get a good job, and he did date. If memory serves, he has been with the same girl since graduated. 

What is what if what is everything?

It is what it is, until it isn’t.

Reality is what it is, and what it ain't, it ain't.
Sometimes, what it is it ain't, and what it ain't, well... it is.
Other times it is nothing, and then it ain't nothing.
But, if it is nothing, it ain't, and if it ain't nothing, it is.
Acknowledging nothing gives nothing existence;
Therefore, whether it is or it ain't, it must be,
Because even nothing that ain't, already is.

-- Me

What are your predictions for the future of social media?

It will continue, unfortunately, under the auspices of the liberals. It will continue to indoctrinate the weak-minded of this society until eventually, we suffer the next civil war. At his point, mass media and “social” media will be defined as anarchist propaganda for the obvious reason that what they report cannot be backed up by facts, as is usual. The media will have to return to factual reporting and leave editorials to editors who will, actually, have to answer to the stockholders when the company loses money.

Can you think of a time when you used your intuition to analyze an outcome, only to be surprised to find that your explanation was completely incorrect? Did this surprise help you understand how intuition may sometimes lead us astray?

Military intelligence is all about using facts and intuition to analyze possible outcomes. You use the best information you have and make the best analysis you can. But, even with facts and intuition, the outcome always remains a crapshoot. You hope for the best and plan for the worst.

My 18th birthday is today. What is some life advice you can share?

STAY OUT OF DEBT! That’s pretty much it, except, maybe, making sure who you’re banging is clean. Just saying.

Are you a writer who doesn't write?

If you're a writer who doesn't write, you're not a writer.

“Read, read, read. Read everything -- trash, classics, good and bad, and see how they do it. Just like a carpenter who works as an apprentice and studies the master. Read! You'll absorb it. Then write. If it's good, you'll find out. If it's not, throw it out of the window.”

-- William Faulkner (1897-1962), writer, author

Half of me went missing. Where do you think I went?

I assume you mean “mentally” missing because physically you’d be dead and not asking this. The half you’re missing is hiding somewhere in your mind. I usually do something stupid which then causes all of me to come back together just to critique and judge me. Depending on how deep you are, it could be well hidden.

What would be the impact of asking yourself each day, “who do I want to be today?”

If you followed through, you’d never be who you really are. No one would ever know the real you. How could you be trusted? Better we should be the best us we can be. Practicing good, humble, ethical conduct, and learning to be happy always with you we are.

Is there an institution, a tool, a place, or anything in that matter that can take your data and tell you what to do with your life?

They used to have “aptitude tests” that would give you some idea of what you have a natural ability for. I think the tests were more effective the older the person was, though. Giving the test in grade school was a waste as opposed to giving it in high school.

What forces or factors influence the ways you perceive others’ views about you?

Why would I care how others view me? I try to live an ethical life. I try to be happy always, helping others, and being a friend to many. If who I am isn’t good enough, I suppose the “others” should look to their own less than laudable characters that feel it is appropriate for them to judge my worth.

“Because one believes in oneself, one doesn't try to convince others. Because one is content with oneself, one doesn't need others' approval. Because one accepts oneself, the whole world accepts him or her.”

-- Lao Tzu (c. 500 BC), philosopher, writer

Trump stated, "The Ten Most Dangerous Cities in the U.S. are all run by Democrats." According to the FBI data, there are more crimes committed in Republican-run cities. Do you feel safer living in Democratic or Republican-run cities?

I’d like to see your referenced FBI data that refutes the “Ten Most Dangerous Cities” claim.  One wonders why more crimes are committed in Republican run cities, considering they will be arrested by fully funded police, go to trial, be convicted, and do time.  Democrat cities seem to be much more "criminal friendly."

Comment: The article I read said that murders are up across the board (about 25%) in other Democratic and Republican-run cities, but the top 10 most violent cities are Democrat-run. FBI warned that it shouldn't be politicized, but rather be an issue of concern of upward violent trends.

My response:  I feared the President might have misspoken. So happy to hear he has not.

What is a more polite way to say, "Thanks for nothing"?

“Well, thank you for nothing!” I’m not sure the message would get across any more politely. Try smiling while you say it in French.

What is the difference between half-empty and a half-full glass for the person watching both of them at a time?

They will notice that one is being filled while the other is being emptied. 

“The optimist sees the glass as half full, the pessimist as half empty. What I see is water that can save someone's life.”

-- Abhijit Naskar, neuroscientist, author

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 volunteers as a chaplain at the regional medical center.

A Question of Freedom

“I'm not in pursuit of happiness, I'm happiness in pursuit; ready to happen everywhere I go.”

-- Bernard Kelvin Clive, author, speaker, trainer, lecturer

In what areas of your life are you most free to do what you like?

I can do anything I like, in any area I choose, within the rule of law.

I want to be original, but I worry that my ideas have already been done, and I'm worried about being shunned as "stupid" just for realizing something others realized long ago. What do I do?

First of all, don’t worry about what other people think of you. Those that judge usually need to clean up their own house. Second, I occasionally do what you do. It amazes me that great minds think alike. Now, your job is to not judge others for being small by judging you. We aren’t stupid, we are, occasionally, slow on the uptake.

A lot of people realized that socialism was a “great idea” without taking the time to realize it has never worked, no matter the version you try. It simply doesn’t ever work, and the common people are the ones who suffer in it. Great idea? No. Sometimes ideas that have already been done and failed shouldn’t have ever been retried, and retried, and tried yet again. Some ideas, in hindsight, are best left unvoiced.

What if literally, every single person rejected the draft in a country? What would happen then?

At the worst, our country, or our allies are at risk of falling to the invading force. The knowledge that people are willing to report when drafted is actually a deterrent to an invader. It is evidence of our resolve as a nation to defend ourselves.  The fact that we defend ourselves against weapons for which, in part or whole, our own companies hold the patents, and make millions of dollars off of, will be kep close to the vest.

“If only one country adopts conscription it automatically forces the rest of the world to imitate its practice. The "abyss calls to the abyss." The United States has been so forced, against her best tradition, to adopt conscription and so becomes a victim of circumstances. Yet, though the majority dislike conscription, still the majority recognize it as a grim necessity of these times.”

-- Erik von Kuehnelt-Leddihn (1909-1999), political scientist, journalist 

What could that be which is something for you but nothing for me or which is nothing for you but something for me? Why do you think so?

The requited love of a particular life partner. If they love me, they are with me. If they love you, they are with you.

Should we ignore the naysayers and just go ahead blindly trying to succeed without goals?

Always ignore the naysayers when it comes to something you really desire, but your statement doesn’t follow. To go ahead and try to succeed, blindly or not, is itself a goal.

If we could rerun life from the beginning, would it turn out the same?

It is a rerun. If you watch a rerun on the television, does it turn out differently? No. Now, if you’d asked if we started over and corrected the mistakes, made better choices, of course, it will turn out differently. But, that would be cheating and the universe doesn’t allow that. What we change will change everything else, as well. Our new choice might cause death for someone else. If you fail, do you look at it as a negative reflection of your self-worth or as a learning opportunity?

Failure is not a negative if you use it as a learning opportunity. Failure is the best way to learn, so don’t waste it. The first step is to admit your failure; nothing to be ashamed about, everyone fails. If someone says they haven’t, they’re a liar. Now, go back and see where you went wrong. Feel free to ask those who have succeeded at something similar for advice. Correct the mistake, if you can, or understand it so you don’t repeat the mistake next time. If you have a good employer, they should be impressed by the effort you put in to learn from it. If they aren’t, I’d be looking for a better boss.

“You can't go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.”

-- C.S. Lewis (1898-1963), writer, author

 Why are you writing to someone?

It is what I do. I like to write. I spent two years in Mexico and, try as I might, I still got bored. So, I sat down and decided to write the novel I had always wanted to write. A couple of months later I finished “Third World” about a couple of military sergeants, on foot and strangers to each other, dodging cartels in dystopian Mexico while trying to get back to friendly territory. I sat down each day not knowing what I was going to write until it presented itself. In this way, I was as interested in the story as any reader would be. I looked forward to the next day’s adventure.

Why are all of you so useless?

Like you’re one to judge?

Why do I feel sad and numb?

Bad choices? Make enough of them and it will make you sad. If you’re sad long enough, it will make you numb. What is in the past is done. Tomorrow isn’t written. Make better choices each and every moment. The choices you make right now have great bearing on what happens in the next. Learn to be happy always.

Why does appreciation always turn into expectation?

Selfishness. If you take the time to help someone, they become reliant on you to always jump when they need help. They expect you to say yes. If you do a good job for your boss, the same rule applies. I try to be humble when I help others. I try to be selfless, not expecting anything in return, yet others keep expecting me to jump. It is irritating to them when I, very often, don’t.

Is the value of a person’s life in an impoverished developing nation the same as the value of an affluent Westerner’s life?

All lives matter, regardless of what hate groups try to make us believe. All lives have value, whether they realize it or not. Whenever the poor have risen up against those holding them down, they have made a difference and proved their value. The trick for the impoverished is not believing everything they’re told. The trick is recognizing who is really holding them back and who is trying to help. For instance, if they’ve been waiting for things to get better for more than two hundred years, maybe they’ve hitched their wagon, their hopes, and dreams, to the wrong horse. 

“I believe that all lives have equal value. That all men and women are created equal. That everyone belongs. That everyone has rights, and everyone has the right to flourish. I believe that when people who are bound by the rules have no role in shaping the rules, moral blind spots become law, and the powerless bear the burden. … I believe that entrenched social norms that shift society’s benefits to the powerful and its burdens to the powerless not only hurt the people pushed out but also always hurt the whole.”

-- Melinda Gates, philanthopist

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 volunteers as a chaplain at the regional medical center.

Answering, for Its Own Sake

“I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman, 'Where's the self-help section?' She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose.”

-- George Carlin (1937-2008) comedian, actor, author

How are you, and what do you do?

I am always fine. Any morning you wake up on this side of the dirt is a great day!

I am retired, for the third time, and taking care of my mother during this COVID crisis. I write, am a blogger on my site The Path, and volunteer as a chaplain at the regional medical center.

Why is it that so many people from the age of 30 to 70 wish they were in their 20s again?

They don’t remember how much they wished they weren’t in their 20s. If they’re 30 to 50, the question I’d pose to them is what didn’t you do in your life, at this point, that makes you pine for yesterday? Life is all about making choices, and they probably made some bad ones. The good thing about this life is that, sooner or later, it will end and we will be reborn into another life, subconsciously taking what we learned with us. Because of this, chances are, in the next life, you won’t make the same bad choices and you’ll revel in your later years and learn to be happy always. 

How good are you at your job?

This question was changed from its original meaning to something totally different. “Why are you doing a good job?” as opposed to “How good are you at your job?” If I can answer “why” I’m doing a good job, then I have automatically answered that I am, in fact, good at my job. I wish this site would quit changing the questions.

“...there are people who try to look as if they are doing a good and thorough job, and then there are the people who actually damn well do it, for its own sake.”

-- John D. MacDonald (1916-1986), writer, author

If you could, what are 10 things you could write down and give yourself? Things that you feel younger you would've like to know?

Learn to be happy always. Don’t go into debt, ever. Date redheads. Don’t get married until you live together for a while. Buy used cars and only get liability insurance. If the Air Force offers you Area 51, taker it. Learn to focus and do well in school. Invest IBM, then seel that and invest in AT&T, sell and invest in Microsoft, then sell and invest in Verizon. Retire young so you can enjoy the downhill ride. Time does not exist, God does.

Can we make our fortune by thinking smart and hard work, or does luck also matter?

Never discount a modicum of luck in any situation. Plan for the best, but watch your back. There is always someone working to make their fortune as well. If your “Plan A” starts to go wonky, be prepared with a “Plan B” to fall back on.

Why don’t I notice time passing? Two years could go by with me not doing anything toward my goals, and I don't even notice. How do I fix it?

First of all, don’t worry about time since it doesn’t really exist. Time is a human construct that gives structure to this life and causes much stress, as you’re experiencing. Better to ignore time and simply start working toward your goals. In order to “fix it” you have to take the first step, and then continue moving.

“If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things.”

-- Albert Einstein

Is it worth the effort to un-brainwash a conservative?

Absolutely! If a conservative has been brainwashed they’re now a socialist. Better they should be reprogrammed so they can remain an “all lives matter” patriot. However, truth be known, “un-brainwashed” is a term used for someone who was not successfully brainwashed. In this case, then, he is just fine.

Have you ever done your best and then got the least results for your efforts?

Fishing. Every time I go fishing, I do my best and get the least results for my efforts. I’ve come to view fishing as a time to relax and have a few beers. The upside is I don’t have to clean my non-existent catch.

John Cage said, "I can't understand why people are frightened of new ideas. I'm frightened of the old ones." Which ideas of the past or now do you find frightening?

Socialism. I fought to keep it out of my country for over 20 years of my military career. It doesn’t work, as proven through its history, and it still doesn’t work today. Socialism infecting my country frightens me, and socialists infecting my country are why I own weapons.

Why is there no true honor in expected recognition?

Are you expecting honor or recognition? Is what you did selfless, or did you do it for recognition? If you did it in expectation of recognition, how do you find that honorable? Live a humble life of selfless service, never compromise your ethics, and you will be recognized, in the end, by the only power that matters.

“Humility forms the basis of honor, just as the low ground forms the foundation of a high elevation.”

-- Bruce Lee (1940-1973), martial artist, martial arts instructor, actor, philosopher

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 volunteers as a chaplain at the regional medical center. 

Beyond the Norm

Paranormal events are purported phenomena described in popular culture, folk, and other non-scientific bodies of knowledge, whose existence within these contexts is described as beyond normal experience or scientific explanation... Notable paranormal beliefs include those that pertain to extrasensory perception (for example, telepathy), spiritualism, and the pseudosciences of ghost hunting, cryptozoology, and ufology.

-- Wikipedia, Paranormal

According to Wikipedia, "The term paranormal has existed in the English language since at least 1920. The word consists of two parts: para and normal. The definition implies that the scientific explanation of the world around us is 'normal' and anything that is above, beyond, or contrary to that is 'para'."  So, basically, anything science can't explain is "paranormal."  For you Christians out there who pooh-pooh the paranormal, remember that God is a matter of faith, and faith is a belief in something for which there is little or no proof, scientific proof.  Right now, the Christian members of the League of the Perpetually Offended are probably scrambling to find a response to throw at me.  First of all, good luck with that.  Second of all, they have no right, by their own Holy Scripture, to judge me.  Only God has the right to do that.  But, then, I'm not one to judge my fellow Christians or any peaceful spiritual belief.  It is what it is.

So, where do I stand with the subject of the paranormal?  Experience is everything and, as a military intelligence analyst, I can neither "confirm nor deny" any proof of what I, myself, have experienced.  As a child, I was "high active" and found it hard to focus on anything for very long.  I probably had undiagnosed Attention Deficit Disorder.  The one thing I could focus on, however, was the paranormal.  It fascinated me.

Around the age of 10, mom and dad were into property investment.  Mom would ultimately get her real estate license.  She would go look at old Victorian houses and, when I wasn't in school, she would take me with her.  It was my first realization that I had an affinity for the paranormal.  I could detect "cold spots" and actually explain what they were, but not why they were.  That realization of some force sucking the energy from a spot would come much later.  What I started doing at this young age, though, is "debunking" what I felt.  I would look for where the cold might be emanating from.

Mom and dad ultimately bought a small, older house in town.  It had an occasional cold spot and, again, no source.  It wasn't until a couple of years later, when dad poured a concrete patio, that I would have some clue to a "haunting."  I started hearing a "tap-tap" on the concrete outside my bedroom window... every night.  It would start at the far end of the patio, come toward my window, and end at the dirt path a few feet farther on.

We knew the name of the old woman who sold the house so, as I began high school, I went on a fact-finding mission.  I tracked her down to a retirement home in town and went to visit.  She was a nice lady and we had an informative talk.  I asked about the nice and she informed me her husband took a nightly constitutional around the house.  But, what about the "tap-tap-tap" I would hear?  He always took his cane.  I didn't hear the metal tip until dad poured the concrete patio.

We sold the house, not long after, and the daughter of the buyer went to high school with me.  She asked me one day about the "tap-tap-tap" noise she would hear each night.  She was excited to find out they had a friendly ghost, "Oh, my God!  We have a ghost!"

Backing up a couple of years, to junior high school, I had become interested in unidentified flying objects, the U.F.O. phenomena.  I had a wall map on the corkboard I mounted in my bedroom, and I had plotted on it every UFO sighting ever reported in the United States.  It was crowded with map tacks.  at 12 years of age, I was in constant contact with every government agency that could send me more information.  I had received from the Air Force a complete set of the Project Blue Book reports, free of charge at that time.  I wouldn't see my first UFO until halfway through my Air Force career, and then I couldn't discuss it.

I think all of the paranormal incidents at a young age is probably what prompted me to major in psychology after almost not graduating from high school.  In college, however, I hit my stride with a 3.2 GPA, a B+ average grade, and I hardly cracked a book.  It would seem that, what I had a serious interest in, I could almost learn through osmosis.  And then... I was drafted for Vietnam and joined the Air Force, instead of going to Stanford University.  My two years of college psychology got me a job with Air Force Intelligence.  My experiences, over the next 22-plus years of my service career, are locked away in a Top Secret fire-file in some dusty corner of my brain, not for public dissemination.  

Over the next 26 years, after my military retirement, I was treated to several sightings of UFO phenomena.  Bright lights in the sky, no typical navigation lights visible, maneuvers not possible with known aircraft, and then there were the "satellites" moving faster than they should that would slow down and gain altitude until the light vanished from sight.

Recently, probably since the death of my dad,  I again became very interested in probing the "ghost" controversy and, once again, I have experienced things that I cannot debunk.  Most recently in my photographic investigation of the Blue Rose Mansion, and an old cemetery, here in town.  The fact I can't explain the anomalies in digital photographs doesn't necessarily make a haunting real, but it does keep the activity unexplained.  With this most recent evidence piquing my interest, I have outfitted myself with the "tools of the trade," so to speak.  I left out the garlic, wooden stakes, silver bullets, and a crucifix, in my attempt to take the subject seriously.  Though, on second thought, a silver crucifix does seem prudent if for nothing more than a focal point with which to aim one's faith at any evil.  But, this thought might simply be the latent Catholic in me.

I watch paranormal shows on the television and have an issue with some of their ideas about debunking.  Also, some of the shows seem to miss obvious "orbs," the very things they would hold out as evidence of paranormal activity, which make an appearance just before or after some physical manifestation of moving objects, and such.  How do you miss orbs captured on film, for goodness sake?

Also, I take exception to investigators who verbally challenge and dare the "spirit" world, and I have issues with ouija boards and other tools that might open portals to other dimensions.  Investigating is one thing, but acting like an ass and mucking around with the unknown is an entirely unprofessional aspect that I refuse to exercise.  Be careful what you ask for and, when in doubt, just be respectful.

This is the beginning of a project for me and, as such, I have named it, appropriately, the Pass Paranormal Project, or P3 for short.  Now, I just need a venue. 

There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,

Than are dreamt of in our philosophy.

-- Hamlet (1.5.167-8), Hamlet to Horatio (First Folio - 1623)

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 volunteers as a chaplain at the regional medical center. 

The Beginning?

"Where we think to be is often where we are, but not in the way we really want. Perhaps we will find our way, sooner or later, but not right now. Maybe our way exists in the eternal moment we can only find between the ticks of a clock... when time stands still."

-- Me

The beginning. The beginning isn't here, not yet. It is near, only a moment away. And, in a moment, it will, once again, be near, only a moment away, and so on, and so forth. Why? Because the beginning is always upon us. Where the "now" is concerned, the beginning always has been and always will be, just a moment away. When we finally get to what we think is the beginning, it really isn't. It has become now.  My head hurts.

We keep waiting for something to happen, not realizing that it already has. Each "beginning" moment becoming "now" is a happening we tend to miss, and in missing the "now" we have wasted the moment.

Time, for all the importance we give it, does not exist.  Time is a human construct invented to give structure to our existence in this life.  The past is done, lessons we learned or not.  The future is a crapshoot.  Tomorrow may not even happen for most of us.  Now, the moment between the tick of a clock is all we can be sure of, maybe.

Never let the future disturb you. You will meet it, if you have to, with the same weapons of reason which today arm you against the present.

-- Marcus Aurelius (121-180 AD), Roman emperor, philosopher

But a new beginning is always near, always another moment away.  Whether we admit it or not, we are always living on the cusp of infinity.  We are all the funny little guy on the wall, surveying all that is the universe.  Any worries and drama are of our own making.  We make the choices and decisions that put our lives in good or bad circumstances.

We decide where to live, how much debt to bury ourselves under, who our supposed friends are, and whether or not to keep family around who think we're losers.  Most of all, we decide whether to stay in the circumstances we're in or to rise above them.  We decide whether to remain wallowing in the pit of misery instead of deciding to be always happy.

We should be like the little guy on the wall.  Hands behind our back, seemingly without a care, simply waiting for the next moment, the next answer to the next question.

I'll bet he's smiling.

“Time is a created thing. To say 'I don't have time' is like saying, 'I don't want to.”

-- Lao Tzu (c. 500 BCE), philosopher, writer

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 volunteers as a chaplain at the regional medical center. 

A Life of Uncertainty

“We must content ourselves with the mystery, the absurdity, the contradictions, the hostility, but also the generosity that our environment offers us. It's not much, but it's always better than the deadly, defeatist certainty of the paranoid.”

-- Philip K. Dick (1928-1982), sci-fi author

"How can you be certain in a life of uncertainties?"  This was a question put to me just this morning.  I went into the site to answer it and found the site had, as they often do, changed the question to "Can we be certain about uncertainty?"  Personally, I like the original question, not that there's much difference, I just like addressing the person asking me the question and not someone else's interpretation of the question.  When you put a "go-between" into the mix of communication, communication begins to break down, and this is never a good thing.  Just saying.

I went back and added the above paragraph to the bottom of my answer.  I feel it important that people understand why communication, at times, breaks down.  But I've digressed long enough, so let me answer the original question:  

"How can you be certain in a life of uncertainties?"

You can't. The very question answers itself. You can, however, have faith. Faith is a belief in something for which there is little or no proof, like God. Faith gives us hope for no good reason. Faith allows us to learn how to be happy always, even in the face of uncertainty. Faith also allows us to understand that uncertainty means things might go wonky in life, and this is okay. We can be prepared for it and roll with the punches life might deliver.

You can seldom be certain of anything in a universe where change is the only constant. It is what it is, and there little you can do about spilled milk except to clean it up and pour another glass. I have found it much better to embrace this philosophy and learn to be happy always, even when things go south.

Uncertainty injects the possibility of failure in life.  The universe is all about balance and if you have certainty, you must have uncertainty.  It is a matter of balance.  We view failure in life as a negative thing and, in doing so, we bemoan when a failure occurs.  But, failure is the best way we learn.  When we make mistakes we need to go back and review why the outcome wasn't what we hoped for, make corrections, and try again.  This is learning, and this is the entire purpose of our existence.  If we can't enjoy learning, why are we here?

It amazes me how many people view failure in a negative light, yet these same people have no problem happily blowing a paycheck at the casino in the name of having fun.  They hope to win, but they also know the odds are against it.  Well, why can't we all view life in this same light?

It is better to embrace life, the good and the bad, the successes and failures, the balance, and just learn to be happy always.

“Failure exists. Yes! Failure exists. Don’t expect to meet all your expectations in life; however, expect to do everything you must do to realize your expectations and success. These two things success and failure have in common; they both respond to uncertainty and they are triggered by action.”

-- Ernest Agyemang Yeboah, author, teacher, philosopher

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 volunteers as a chaplain at the regional medical center.