Author: Ray Barbier

I am just an average man who loves writing, thinking and trying to inspire kindness, love, understanding and Compassion in others and try to find them within myself.
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Feeling free to be who you truly are.


010Sometimes Happiness is nothing more than feeling free to be who you truly are. Being free of worry and fear of judgment by others. Being myself with no regards to what others may think allows me to enjoy my day. Seems also when I allow my true self to appear I don’t seem as critical or cynical  of myself or others. Such a weight lifted on the days I let my true self come out to play.

This world and modern society puts way too much restriction on how we must behave and be to belong or fit in. This puts such a burden on the backs of those whom are not the norm and even on those that conform.

Be yourself and not that what others expect or want you to be. To pretend to be whom you are not for the sake of conformity is but a dark and dreary way to exist.  The Love and happiness within you multiplies exponentially when you live as the person who you truly are.

Be true to yourself and cherish  each moment of every day.
Ray Barbier

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Thoughts and ponderings on 10/28/2013


"I Got Mine"

Selfishness, Something we all suffer with and are affected by in one way or another. Being selfish is second nature to human beings, our self-awareness makes it so easy to focus on ourselves and less on those around us. We have to have some actions and thoughts focused solely on ourselves to survive and live  within this world, it  is the lack of selflessness  and love for others that is the main problem. The less we focus on the wellbeing of others the more self-centered and selfish we become. No matter how much we lie to ourselves and believe this world was made just for us alone and that things should be as we alone see as right, the fact that the world is and life is a shared experience can not be denied.

Simply put, we are all in this together and the more we see this truth and work together to have a peaceful existence the better off we all are. Regardless of our differences in culture,beliefs and personal opinions we all are basically the same. We all need food, shelter and decent standard of living to be happy and healthy. Unfortunately the balance of wealth and standards of living are out of whack, so few have far more than they need and so many are left wanting at the roadside of life.  Forcing the wealthy to give up what they have for the sake of others is not the answer, forcing something only causes resentment and leaves them seeking ways around doing so. The best method is trying to change their heart and mindset, help them see the benefits of being charitable and in being compassionate to their fellow humans. Either way you go more than likely the divide between the  haves and have not’s will remain quite large.

We should focus on helping one another and not on who has more to give and who don’t. If enough of us work together to make a change in the balance of wealth and living standards we can make a difference if not start to tip the scales towards a more equal distribution. Even in countries where the governments tend to stand in the way of an equal and balanced standard of living there is hope if the citizens work together. The bottom line is, To change the world we must first change the hearts and mindsets of those in power and those who have the resources. Without that, we still can achieve change but it will be a long and painful road to travel.

War is not an answer to any situation, Diplomacy only works if it is sincere and both sides are willing to sacrifice for the good of the many. Peace is not the result of war but the lack of war.

Raymond Barbier

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Random Thoughts on 7/4/2013


HPIM0064We walk through our life half blinded by what we perceive as reality and unaware of the beauty that life and this world has laid before us. Friendships, family and the relationships we have along with the bonds we make within our lifetime are to be cherished. We influence people we meet  directly by being a part of their lives and we can affect others through the footprints we leave. We can also influence one person  who can carry that influence to others. We can also write a blog and through it influence the thoughts of readers and other bloggers. We are far more intertwined as a species than we like to admit.

The words or actions of one can affect so many without even being the intention nor being realized by the person who initiated it all.  Once we realize how much our words and actions can affect and influence others we must face the fact we are responsible for the results brought about by them. We should always be conscious of our actions and words as well as the consequences they can bring. We also should be cautious and conscious of the actions and words of others so we can be in control of what influences us as well. We must not walk through life half blinded and half awake, we should be fully awake and aware of all that is around us. We should be aware of the responsibility of being alive and the consequences of our actions and words. We also should always cherish the life we have been given to live and know it is a blessing.

Be aware, Be Awake and take responsibility for your actions and words. Be thankful and cherish the one life we have to live.

Ray Barbier

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Laughter and a good hearted spirit


026Laughter, the reaction to something funny or an expression of ones happiness. To go out in life and try to make others laugh and smile when they are down is not only noble in my eyes I see it as a sign of a kind and good-hearted spirit. Though life can beat you down, cause you to lose faith in yourself and others the ability to bring smiles and laughter to others still lies within us all. I find when  I put forth effort to make others smile and laugh that the weight of my own burdens is lessened and the negative emotions in both me and the other person seems to disappear even if it is just for a short moment of time.

We tend to forget about the feelings and happiness of others around us because we become so consumed with our own troubles and strife. By focusing on making others happy and helping others get through the day we change our focus from just ourselves to both ourselves and those around us. There needs to be a balance of focus, focus on one or the other too much then someone or something becomes neglected.

Laughter is a Band-Aid for the heart and mind, it may not cure-all but it sure takes the sting out of our emotional and mental wounds.

Ray Barbier

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What a week, Blessings Realized


IMG_1283Well I know its been a while since I have written anything, life can be so consuming sometimes. Within just 1 week I have had a transmission blow a front seal  and a tire blow out on a truck I was borrowing. Was kind of bumming out about it all and then I realized that this week was full of blessings. I was able to get my car home regardless of the transmission seal and when the tire blew out my future father in law just happened to be passing by and we got the spare on. So was this week all that bad, well not as bad as I first thought but still the repair or replacement of my car is a financial burden in waiting. I first want to say thank you God for the blessings of making it home and having help when I needed it And last but not least thank you Fred for your help.

“Sometimes when you think the deck is stacked against you it is actually stacked in your favor in the next hand. “

Ray Barbier

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Just some random thoughts that came to mind


IMG_1283So, This is the life you have chosen. Where you are and what you’re doing along with how your feeling is the result of all your choices in life both good and bad. You made your bed, guess now you have to lay in it. Wait, what? um… Not right… You can always make choices now to change the course of your life and the bed you made can always be remade again. Some consequences you may have to face but then you can always move on afterwards and make a better life for yourself by making your choices more wisely. You are the master of your own life and destiny, you can always make a choice to change your life. Though sometimes it’s a hard and painstaking task to take on, but it isn’t an impossible one.

First choice anyone has to make when trying to change their life is to not be a victim or defeatist., instead be an optimist who will not allow themselves to be a victim of chance or circumstance. Unfortunately there is no magic bullet or instant fix when it comes to improving ones self and life,  it’s all hard work. I look at it like this, anything worth having or anything worth seeking is well worth any effort that it takes in order to obtain them. Choose to be and to transform into the person you want to be and make sure that what you choose to become is something you can both respect and live with.

Just some random thoughts that came to mind

Ray Barbier

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Forget about the unchangeable past and live in the now


DSC_0323bRegret, the enemy of happiness and being at peace with one’s self. Regret of the things undone, unsaid and missed out on through ones life are nothing but obstructions in one’s path to happiness. Regret that last longer than a short moment is but the lack of the ability to forgive yourself for your mistakes and/or shortcomings. If you can’t undo or make up for the wrongs you’ve done or if the opportunities you’ve missed are far gone then why waste any time or energy on them. Far as the wrongs you can bring to right and the opportunities you still can utilize they should be your main focus to accomplish. Forgive yourself, forget about the unchangeable past and live in the now, do not make more situations to regret by hanging on to the dead weight of things that are beyond you ability to control or change.

Free yourself of living in the past so you can make the most of the present, free your heart of the burdens of past mistakes to make room for the happiness, love and serenity that you deserve.

Ray Barbier

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Helping those who are unable to help themselves


018 The welfare of ourselves and our fellow human beings is not the responsibility of  the government, we are responsible for our own welfare and the welfare of others. If a brother or sister be unable to care for themselves be due to physical limitations or mental dysfunctions we are to provide as a group help and support for them. Even those who have made poor life choices we are to help, for to be human is to be imperfect and no one can boast about being flawless in character.

One person may not be able to help all those in need, but one person can make a difference for one in need and inspire others to join in on helping those in need.  We were commanded to love one another, part of loving one another is accepting the responsibility of being each others care giver and/or helper. We all have our ways of being able to help each other and it isn’t all about money, sometimes its about fellowship and other times just a place to rest ones head.

To those whom look down upon the needy and less fortunate, just remember that person you passed by and/ or felt contempt for could have been you or one of your family. Many of the homeless were at one time wealthy, successful and even well-respected individuals before they fell to poverty and misfortune. We as a society need to not only help those in need but provide a way for them to help themselves. As an old proverb once said :

”if you give a man a fish; you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish; and you have fed him for a lifetime. ~ Confucius”

Though Governments can help in feeding the hungry and housing the homeless it is only a temporary and expensive solution. We need to find ways to help those able to provide for themselves to do so and find better and more efficient ways of helping those who are unable to help themselves.

God bless and may love guide us all

Ray Barbier

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The differences we have divide us only because we allow them to.


017Why cant the many religions of the world come to peace with one another? Why must we have hatred for those who either believe different or don’t have a belief? I never could understand how one person could hate another because of their religious beliefs, race or even nation origin. We are all human after all, we all are brought into this world in the same manner and we all leave it in the same state. We all want happiness for ourselves and those we love and we all have the same basic needs to survive. The differences we have divide us only because we allow them to. Our diversity as a species is what has since the dawn of humankind made us a resilient and thriving species. It gave us the ability to survive many climate changes and challenges.

I have had many friends of different religious beliefs and never judged them one way or another because of their beliefs. If I did judge them it was by how they treated me and others around them. We had many disagreements on religious ideals but we didn’t allow them to become a stumbling block in our friendship. Sad thing is even within a religion there can be division in belief and that sometimes even leads to violence within it. Is it the religion that causes this violence and division or is it caused by the darkness within some of those within the religion.

Either way, I will always be one who believes in every persons right to believe as they wish and I will respect what ever choice they make. I also will not turn away anyone as a friend nor anyone in need because of their beliefs.

I know how I believe and how I chose to be may not be popular and may be looked down on by some in my religion and in others as well, but It is how my heart tells me to be and that’s what I choose.

Ray Barbier

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The ravings of a wishful thinker.


006 (2)Sometime I Just sit and think about random things and events in history, sometimes I am brought to tears over the cruelty humanity has committed against each other. Other times I cry tears of joy over the amazing and wondrous things humanity has done together and for the common good. How a species so capable of such grand things such as love, compassion and fellowship could also do such horrible things as well. Even as individuals we do both amazing and horrible things within our life.

We could be such a wondrous and amazing species if we learn to put aside and control our darker natures. If we focus more on humanity as a whole instead of our individual wants and needs. We can have both individuality and be a part of the global community. We can find balance between personal wants and needs and the needs and wants of the whole of humanity. We don’t need one government, we need to be of one heart and of one mind. We need to see that we all want happiness, peace and love for ourselves and those within our family. Maybe if we realize we all are one great big family we could begin to work together for the good of humanity instead of against each other for the good of one part.

I am not speaking of Communism or Socialism, I am speaking of Humanitarianism and common sense. Freely helping one another to survive and live in peace and in happiness.  A pipe dream, a utopian idealism or just the ravings of a wishful thinker. Either way it could be a better world if we all worked together to make it so.

Ray Barbier

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