Ray Barbier

April 19, 2023April 19, 2023

Will we move forward or will we move backward in our society?

Children are exploited and forced to work jobs that are dangerous and should only be worked by adults. A sheriff and others spouting racist remarks and talking of murder or assassination of a reporter. Immigration problems and mass shootings are being sidelined for partisan politics and profit.

Ukraine, Russia, and China being a thorns in the side of the West, a battle of powers for what each side thinks is right. Countries raising the age for retirement which only adds to the suffering of the older population. Taxation is geared to make the working class shoulder the burden as the wealthy pay less.

Once again a security leak puts many in danger and all for an ego boost for a lost young soldier. We suffer severe weather, yet there is still disbelief in global warming and the science behind it. Book banning brings back fears of censorship and information control. The freedoms and rights of one group are attacked for the fears of another.

Compromises are rare due to the polarization of politics and the partisan agenda of both parties. Moderates of both parties are becoming rare and those who are moderate, keep quiet as the political divide grows. It is a time of rebirth it seems, and with birth comes great pain and disturbances.

The question is, Which way will humanity go? Will they seek out the path of inclusion and progress or one of status quo and stagnation? Will we move forward or will we move backward in our society? Can we come together for the betterment of all humanity or will we fall apart as a society?

The choice is in each individual’s hands and it is something we all have to take part in. Raise your voice to be heard and let your vision of what our future should look like be heard. Silence only allows others to make the choices that you will have to live with.

Be heard, be seen, and be open to compromise and new ideas my friends. Grow as an individual and contribute to the growth of the world and society we live in.

Ray Barbier

April 17, 2023

We live our lives in a linear fashion as the universe deals in its circular motion.

We live our lives in a linear fashion as the universe deals in its circular motion. We spend our time looking for the light as we stumble in the dark. Ever reaching out for a connection with others as we blind ourselves to the connection we have to everything.

We fear what we do not know or understand as we hate what we see in others that we first hate within ourselves. We can not forgive ourselves so we find it hard to forgive others. Yet we love others far easier than ourselves and find ourselves still feeling alone.

We need to let go of preconceived notions and embrace the commonality between all things. We need to open up to possibilities instead of closing off new opportunities. We seek acceptance of others but find it hard to accept ourselves.

We all are part of the whole, yet we hold on to the misconception that we are totally individual and alone. We distance ourselves from others in a sad attempt to keep ourselves free of pain. Being distant only brings us emptiness and feeds the loneliness within us.

Hope is what we seek, but some of us seem to embrace that which is bleak, Faith is what we desire to obtain but doubting is a habit we find hard to quit. Questioning is good only if it leads us to some kind of epiphany or truth.

We live our lives in a linear fashion as the universe deals in its circular motion. Walking the path of life step by step putting one foot after the other. Evolving as an individual and as a species within the infinite vastness of the universe.

April 16, 2023

Learn to love unconditionally, be compassionate and find understanding for your fellow humans

Hate is a very infectious and overwhelming emotion, it consumes you when it is in your heart. It blinds you to the love around you and it keeps you from being able to love those around you. Hate can come from fear, it can come from the feeling of not being in control, it has many sources but only love can help stop the hate.

We as humans get too wrapped up in our own minds to listen to our hearts sometimes. We tend to join in with what our peers think or do too quickly and without thinking about how it will affect others and ourselves. We also tend to like to rally against a common enemy or cause, it makes us feel like we are a part of something. We forget to look and think for ourselves when we get too focused on the moment.

Most religions teach us to love each other and embrace forgiveness. Unfortunately, some people get too wrapped up in seeing the sins of others instead of seeing the actual person that is sinning. They should love everyone for who and what they are, for no one is perfect and no one can live life without sinning in one way or another. You do not have to agree with how everyone else chooses to live their life, you however should respect everyone’s right to choose how they want to live.

I believe and have been taught that we all have been given the right to choose our paths in life, free will, and all. Who are we to say how another person must live or worship? We are not here to judge one another or to dictate how others should live or behave, we are here to help and love one another. Look beyond a person’s mistakes, sins, color, religion, or any other thing that you may want to dislike and see the person beneath all of that.

That person you are persecuting, hating, or harassing because of the choices you dislike is a human being. They are someone’s father, mother, sister, brother, daughter, or son. They could have been your friend or the person who could have helped you down the road when you needed help.

This world is already hard enough to live in, so why create more anger and pain in it when you could find love for your fellow human beings? We have much more pressing issues in this world than a lot of what people are getting worked up about. We have a world war looming around the corner if we are not careful, and it won’t be one any side will come out victorious and without tragedy.

Regardless if you believe in global warming or not, there has been an increase in disastrous weather events across the world. Viral outbreaks, food shortages, and clean water shortages have become more commonplace as well. On top of that, it seems that we are experiencing an uptick in mental illness which in turn adds to the current problem of violence and crime in the world.

Too many voices out there trying to divide, confuse and spread hate along with chaos. Not enough voices out there trying to spread love, compassion, and understanding. Too many people believe conspiracy theories over facts and science. Too many people have lost faith and trust in our governments and news agencies. Hard for many to know who or what they can believe nowadays.

And still the poor are getting poorer and the rich are always getting richer. The homeless, elderly, and childless are forgotten or cast aside in this world. People point fingers at one another instead of offering a hand to help. Some hold on to the past and won’t let go of either what they saw as the glory days, then there are those that can not let go of the mistakes and pain of the past.

We have so much to address as a species, but first, we must stop the hate and division so we can work together to make this world a better place. Learn to love unconditionally, be compassionate and find understanding for your fellow humans.

Ray Barbier

April 8, 2023

Finding Peace in the Presence of God: Exploring the Intersection of Meditation and Christianity

Meditation and Christianity may seem like two very different concepts, but in reality, they can complement each other quite nicely. As a Christian who practices meditation regularly, I can attest to the benefits that both practices have brought into my life. In this article, I would like to share my personal experience and understanding of how meditation and Christianity can coexist in a person’s spiritual journey.

Firstly, let’s define what we mean by meditation. Meditation is a practice that involves focusing your mind on a particular object, thought, or activity to achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm state. It is not a religious practice, but rather a tool that can be used to enhance any spiritual or secular practice. In the context of Christianity, meditation can involve prayer, reading scripture, or simply sitting in silence and allowing yourself to be present in the moment.

One of the main benefits of meditation is that it can help you develop a deeper connection with God. By quieting your mind and focusing your attention on God, you can create a space for him to speak to you. This can be done through prayer or simply by sitting in silence and listening for His voice. When you meditate, you become more aware of God’s presence in your life, and you begin to see the world through his eyes.

Another benefit of meditation is that it can help you manage stress and anxiety. As a Christian, it’s easy to get caught up in the worries of daily life and forget to take time to be still and connect with God. Meditation allows you to let go of your worries and anxieties and focus on the present moment. By doing this, you can find peace and clarity in the midst of chaos.

Now, you may be wondering, how does meditation fit into the Christian faith? Isn’t it a practice that belongs to other religions, such as Buddhism or Hinduism? The answer is that meditation is not tied to any particular religion or belief system. It is simply a tool that can be used to enhance your spiritual practice, regardless of what that practice may be.

In fact, there are many examples of meditation in the Bible. For instance, in Psalm 46:10, we are told to “be still and know that I am God.” This verse encourages us to take time to be quiet and connect with God, which is essentially what meditation is all about. Similarly, in Mark 1:35, we are told that Jesus would often go to a quiet place to pray and connect with God. This is a perfect example of how meditation can be incorporated into a Christian practice.

In conclusion, meditation and Christianity can coexist in a beautiful and meaningful way. Meditation can help you deepen your connection with God, manage stress and anxiety, and find peace and clarity in the midst of chaos. It is not a practice that belongs to any particular religion or belief system, but rather a tool that can be used to enhance any spiritual or secular practice. If you’re interested in incorporating meditation into your spiritual journey, I encourage you to give it a try and see how it can transform your life.

Some Related Websites you may enjoy

Christian Meditation – This website offers resources, articles, and courses on Christian meditation. https://christianmeditation.com/
Contemplative Outreach – An organization dedicated to teaching contemplative practices, including Christian meditation. https://www.contemplativeoutreach.org/
The Center for Contemplative Mind in Society – A non-profit organization that promotes contemplative practices in various fields, including religion and spirituality. https://www.contemplativemind.org/
The Jesus Meditations – A guided meditation series based on the life and teachings of Jesus. https://www.thejesusmeditations.com/
BibleGateway – An online Bible resource that includes various translations of the Bible and a search feature for specific verses related to meditation and mindfulness. https://www.biblegateway.com/

Ray Barbier

April 5, 2023

Remember the side of yourself that is playful, that loves to create and explore.

Within each of us, there is the creative force that stirs underneath all of the complications we have embraced and allowed to grow in our psyche. That creative and curious side of our nature we once embraced as a child and decided to bury under all of our expectations and self-imposed regulations when we become what we call an adult. As we grew up we closed off the side of ourselves that had wonder and desired to be creative and free to express ourselves.

As adults, we are told to behave in a certain way and act what is considered mature by society. We are taught to restrict that side of ourselves that wants to play, create, be friendly, and enjoy life so that we can focus on being productive in the workplace and responsible in society. Some people still embrace that side of themselves and usually they wind up being laughed at or shunned by some people. I say Laugh at me if I am having fun and being myself, it just proves that what I am doing is fun.

It is said that having children keeps you young and that may well be because around our children we too can let go and be childlike. Children remind us of how to live and see life, even if it’s only for a short period and usually only at home. Then the other end of the age spectrum is the elderly, there is a percentage of them that return to the more childlike version of themselves, not due to any mental issues, it is due to the fact that they got to the point where they realize that what others think about them has no significance when it comes to being happy or their self-worth.

In our beginnings, we just are ourselves and hope others will accept us as we are. Even if they don’t we still continue being ourselves and growing as a person. Then we become overly concerned about the opinions of our peers and family, and we start modeling our behaviors and mentality after those we see having the most success in being liked around us. Eventually, we become a mix of our own self and that which society considers acceptable and popular. Then we become wiser as we age and go back to trying to be ourselves, stripping away all the garbage we collected during our lifetime.

To those of you in the earlier years of life, I say be yourself and do not worry about those that look at you funny or make fun of you. Avoid that kind of people and find those more like yourself. Bullying and hate will always exist in this world, we may not be able to totally remove those things from society but we can the people who are bullies and propagate hate to a smaller percentage of our society. Also, remember the bully is also a human and may be facing some issues either at home or in society and may need help in one way or another.

To those of you in your adult years, try to remember the side of yourself that is playful, that loves to create and explore. Find time to let that side of yourself out when you can. Balance being a responsible adult and being your real self. To those of you who are in the later years of your life try not to let bitterness, regret, and fear stop you from being who you are and enjoying life. What has been in the past, what you can not control is something you need to let go of and find happiness at the moment as you embrace those moments and things that make you happy as well as thankful for.

And most of all, young people respect and appreciate those who are older than you, because one day you will be one of them. Adults and elderly people need to respect and appreciate the young as well, they are the future and we all were young like them once as well. Times may change but the fact that we all go from young to old has not. So respect one another and learn from each other my friends, and be the creative, adventurous, and expressive person you were born to be.

April 5, 2023

Random Thoughts 4-5-2023

I was just sitting here thinking this morning about how politicalized news has become and how it has spread politicization into the everyday lives of Americans and others around the world. Too many people spend way too much time in front of the tv and computer screen binging on news, conspiracy theories, politically biased opinion shows, videos, and other types of media. When you constantly watch such things it tends to sway you towards the idealism and mindset of those putting out such media. Critical thinking, forming your own opinion, and remaining objective will become harder to achieve or maintain when you are constantly being bombarded with the opinions of others.

We need to take more time to process the information that we are receiving and also we should try and make sure that we get said information from a variety of sources, we also should try to remain open-minded and not limit ourselves to sources of information that tends to be the most aligned with our own beliefs and mindset. If you seek the truth, and absolute facts then do not just accept what you are given by others without verifying their sources and the information they provide. Also, you need to put aside all of your bias and personal feelings and look at the information you’re receiving objectively and fact-check everything.

Life is far more than sitting around and listening to/watching politically biased news and opinion pieces. There are far more important things in life to be concerned about. We should be enjoying our time with our family and friends. It does not matter if you are red or blue, you’re a human being and so is everyone else around you. Do not allow something as corrosive as politics to erode your relationship with others, just let your political differences become background noise and put both those around you and yourself at the front of your mind and enjoy the moment.

We need to find some way to bridge the gap between the political parties, close that divide and once again work together towards a better nation and world. If the divide continues to grow it will not bode well for either party. As it had been said, A divided house will fall and that said I feel that a nation divided will eventually fail. Personally, I think we need more moderates in politics, those near the center to help balance out the more extreme elements in both political parties. It takes all sorts of people, political ideas, and so on to make a successful society and nation. We all are in this together even if we all may have different ideas and views. Let us focus on the things that we have in common and build on that.

April 2, 2023

The Loss of a Great Online Friend.

This weekend, I received some heartbreaking news about a long-time online friend from my favorite 3d platform called Activeworlds. She went by Dearheart in AW, but her real name was Fran Pagdin. She was a Retired Psychiatric nurse who lived in Australia. Though we were on different continents, and we were over a decade apart in age she was like an older sister to me. We originally met back in the mid to late 1990s online, though back then it was more of just an acquaintance, through the years we grew closer. The last 7 years of our friendship were the closest and the most endearing to me.

She was quite artistic in nature and that showed in her building style within active worlds and in the mosaics, she did in the real world as well. She was a very fair person, but she also was a warrior at heart. She quickly would come to defend a close friend or set her friends straight when they would go astray. She was a straightforward no nonsense kind of person, and she had a very sharp wit about her as well.

She had pride in her Son, Grandaughter, and daughter-in-law. She always would talk about them with me and you could hear the love and pride in how she spoke about them. She was a great part of my life even if it was only online and never in person. This goes to show it does not matter how one is a friend, be it online or in person. I will be sad for a long time for the loss of her companionship, though I am relieved she no longer has to suffer the pain she was in.

Remember to cherish your friends, be they online or in real life. There is no guarantee that any of us will see the next day. For good friends are hard to find, and even harder to find as you get older. Be Blessed and live long my friends.

Ray Barbier

March 31, 2023

Will you use those talents or share those words of wisdom with those around you?

When you’re young, most of your focus is on what you wish to see happen in the future for yourself. Youth is one of those things that tends to make you focus more on yourself than community or others. But as you age, you learn that there is more to this world and life than just fulfilling your own dreams and pursuing your own desires. Now that I’m past my midlife age, I think more about what I can do to help others through life and how I can help to improve the world around me and try to leave some sort of legacy to ensure that I left something to be remembered by.

I’m a firm believer that each individual has some unique and special talent or wisdom that can benefit others in one fashion or another. The only question is, will you use those talents or share those words of wisdom with those around you? It doesn’t really matter what kind of talent it is, even if it’s something as simple as you’re good at making kid’s toys or model airplanes. Maybe those might not directly cause any change in the world but, you could sell those toys or model airplanes generate cash, and donate it to a cause or use it for some type of charity.

Let’s say your skill is that you’re very good at custodial duties, you could go to elderly people or handicapped individuals’ residences and clean up for them. If you put your mind to it, you can always find a way of using your talent to help others around you and those in need. When it comes to wisdom or education you can always pass that down to younger generations or help train others to do things and help them learn new ways to cope with issues in their lives.

Let’s say you’re a mathematician you can teach the younger generation and older generations how to balance a checkbook, create a household budget or do their taxes. Let’s say you’re very proficient with legal things maybe not even a lawyer just someone who’s very apt with legal terms and documents and contracts, you can help a lot of elderly people with dealing with things such as Social Security and Medicare and so on.

Of course, these are just suggestions and some of them may not be that realistic but it gives you an idea of the point that I’m trying to make. I myself have a love of writing and by nature, I am a deep thinker a ponderer a philosopher of sorts. When I was a teenager in high school I kind of played a dear Andy to most girls that were my friends and some of my male friends as well, and I always like to ponder on stuff such as the origin of life and had an interest in psychology.

Due to those interests and that love of writing, I decided to start several blogs and post blog articles aimed at helping people deal with emotional and mental issues along with some general blogs dealing with life in a philosophical sort of way. Life is very short, and very precious as we all know, So what time we have on earth we should do what we can to help other people and also try and leave behind some sort of legacy so people know we existed.

We should also try to make this a better place for future generations to enjoy and live in. Though it may be our natural instinct to be focused on our own well-being and our pursuit of our desires, there is also the instinct to be caregivers nurturers, and helpmates to those around us. Which side of our basic nature we choose to embrace is up to the individual, though choosing to be the helpmate, nurturer, and/or caregiver will benefit not only ourselves but those around us as well.

We can always strive to find a balance between the instinct to pursue our goals and desires and the instinct to be a caregiver, help mate, and or nurturer. There is no reason why we can’t take care of ourselves and take care of others at the same time, for if we don’t take care of ourselves first we won’t be around to take care of those which we desire to help. So whatever gifts that you’ve been given in your life far as talent knowledge and skills try to use them not only the further your own goals but to aid those around you that are in need of some sort of assistance.

The more we give back to the community in the end the more we will receive from the community and the community itself will grow and become stronger. Well, that’s enough for me today, I appreciate you reading and I wish everyone a blessed and happy existence on this blue little marble we call home.

Ray Barbier

March 30, 2023

Boosting Your Self-Esteem: Tips for Dealing with Low Self-Esteem

Hey there! Today, I want to talk about something that affects a lot of us: low self-esteem. It’s a tough thing to deal with, but the good news is that there are things you can do to help yourself feel better.

First, it’s important to understand what self-esteem is. Self-esteem is how you feel about yourself and your worth as a person. When you have high self-esteem, you feel good about yourself and believe in your abilities. When you have low self-esteem, you might feel like you’re not good enough or that you don’t deserve good things.

So, what can you do if you’re struggling with low self-esteem? Here are some tips that might help:

Practice self-care: Taking care of yourself is important for your overall well-being. This includes things like eating healthy, getting enough sleep, and exercising regularly. When you take care of your body, you feel better physically and mentally.
Challenge negative thoughts: Sometimes, we can be our own worst critics. If you find yourself thinking negative thoughts about yourself, try to challenge them. Ask yourself if they’re really true or if you’re just being hard on yourself.
Surround yourself with positivity: Surrounding yourself with positive people and things can help boost your self-esteem. Spend time with people who lift you up and make you feel good about yourself. Surround yourself with things that inspire you and make you happy.
Celebrate your accomplishments: When you accomplish something, no matter how small, take the time to celebrate it. Recognize your hard work and give yourself credit for a job well done.
Seek help if you need it: If you’re struggling with low self-esteem and it’s affecting your daily life, consider seeking help from a therapist or counselor. They can help you work through your feelings and develop strategies for improving your self-esteem.

Remember, it’s okay to struggle with low self-esteem. You’re not alone, and there are things you can do to help yourself feel better. Just take it one day at a time and be kind to yourself. You deserve it.

March 29, 2023

Reflection, Retrospect and friends.

They say hindsight is 20/20, looking back on my life I realize I may have not always been the best person I could have been, I had done some of my best friends wrong. Most of the time it was unintentional, neither the less it was still a bad thing. To anyone I may have done wrong in my past, I hope you can forgive this foolish man for his wrongdoings.

Looking back I also realize how some of the smallest things I did do right helped some on their way in life. A few young teens made a successful life out of the technology industry after having a place to tinker around with computers etc. I will not claim any credit other than I gave them a place to sorta grow, it was all their talent and drive that made them the I.T. Specialists they are today.

I am proud of each and every one of them, though some of them have left our friendship in the past, it still makes me proud I had either played a very tiny part in their development or just got to watch them sprout from a seed to a seedling before the went off to become successful.

I too had friends that helped me grow, a few that carried me a long way too when I was down and out. To those people, I send the biggest thank you of all. I just wish I could repay those people, unfortunately financially I am not doing as well as I wish I was and time and distance have caused us all to grow apart.

Even if I never became what I wanted to be, I am proud to have been some tiny part of some people’s starting point. It makes me joyful to see those teens grown up, with a family of their own, and doing so well in life. I wish them a long, happy, and successful future.

Ray Barbier