Author: Ray Barbier

   Now that our economy is like a roller coaster and our weather is not as stable as it once was and our food supplies are tainted with bacteria more and more each day,We may need to start considering local farming to create more local food sources. Local farming would be more cost effective in the since of fuel due to less distance to ship the product and probably would have less problems with bacteria infection sense the local farmers would be eating what they sell and local government could inspect the farm as well. Another benefit to local food sources is the fact if a national catastrophe were to happen it would insure that people could at least eat. Since our acceptance of commercial farming we may have enjoyed a larger variety of produce and at a lower price but at the cost of both our safety and the quality of the product. Though the variety would be limited by geographic location the quality and safety of the food would be equal if not better and the cost would be lower due to the savings on shipping. 

  I know that the chances of local farming becoming a reality again in modern times is slim at best but maybe home based vegetable gardens could once again become a reality across America. Our grandparents had the right idea about being more self reliant and less wasteful with their resources. They grew and raised most of their food and did their own home repair and maintenance.

Related Articles

• Local-Food Maven Alice Waters (time.com)
• Growing interest in local foods to be celebrated in 3 Northeast Ohio events (cleveland.com)
• Raising Our Awareness about Food Insecurity (ecolocalizer.com)
• 6 Easy Ways To Eat Locally (dietriffic.com)
• ‘Local’ Cream Travels 340 Miles to End on its Own Doorstep (treehugger.com)

Self forgiveness is something that very few of us ever practice, forgiving one’s self seems to be a much harder task than to forgive others. Why does it seem that to forgive some one is much easier than to forgive our own mistakes and transgressions?  For some reason we tend to be much harder on ourselves than we are on other people. We must realize that like everyone else we are not perfect and therefore we will make mistakes and should learn from those mistakes but not allow those mistakes to control our lives.  We can focus on our positive attributes and our achievements instead of on our mistakes and our negative aspects.  Mistakes being a part of the natural learning process that we all go through and they are beneficial in learning what we should not do.  So making mistakes is something that we all must face in this life that we live.

  Guilt which is an aftereffect of making a mistake is suppose to be a short lived emotion to help us remember that we had made that mistake.  Guilt is not supposed to be a lifelong emotion and if it becomes one it changes from a beneficial emotion into a destructive emotion.  Suffering Guilt for a long period of time is devastating to a persons self-esteem and their personal happiness. Accept the mistakes that you have made, then learn from them and try not to repeat them is about all one can do. Everybody makes mistakes and everyone faces guilt from time to time and that my friend is what being human is all about.

Well till next time

Peace R. Barbier

   Anger serves a purpose but is meant to be a temporary state of emotion not a way of life. Anger is designed for the purpose of self preservation and defense , It is a response to a negative force we encounter and usually turns off after the event. Sometimes anger will linger and cause great physical distress which is not its true design. Instead of anger we are supposed to have a memory of the incident and the mistrust or caution mentality. To hold on to anger for too long of time it creates a negative effect on your social and physical well being. To allow any emotion to be in control of you and your daily life is unhealthy. Emotions should be under your control not the other way around. Taming emotions that have gone wild and has gained control of your life is not an easy task. But like any challenge we face in life it is possible with determination and allot of self control. Though meditation, hypnosis and plain common sense one can regain control over their emotions within time. The first step is to realize that your emotions are in control of you and that you need to regain control of them.

  Some people choose to ignore or try and shut off their emotions and this also creates problems for your body and mind. Learn to experience your emotions when they come and then learn to let go of them once they are no longer necessary. Mankind has always had to deal with their emotions and how they can both be beneficial and devastating to the individual who experiences them. Too much emotions is bad just as too little of emotions is also bad. Find a balance between both extremes and learn to be the master of them and all will be well. When a emotion becomes too strong and uncontrollable find a way to express that emotion and to get it out of you. Writing, exercise, and any form of artistic expression usually are good ways to express and release the emotions you are dealing with. There are many other ways to deal with the overbearing emotions one can experience and each person needs to find the best way for them.

Depression is one of the most devastating emotions one must face and when facing it I would suggest not doing it alone, Talk to your family and friends about your sadness and ask them for help and if it is a very severe case do not feel ashamed to go ask for help from your physician or a therapist. Being depressed may be natural from time to time but it is not normal to be depressed all of the time.

Well enough rambling for today.

Peace.

R. Barbier