Poems and Writings – Page 2 – One Lifetime Blog

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.

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 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

February 4, 2023February 4, 2023

Life is short so we need to embrace life and love full-heartedly

As we age, most of us face times when we feel as if we are burdens on others, that we are not wanted, needed, or loved. This is pretty normal I believe, we tend to value our own worth by the actions, reactions, and words of others. As much as we all know that we shouldn’t rely on others to establish our self-worth, we still do to a degree. So when life gets hectic, overwhelming,, and full of distractions, those we love don’t always show us attention, and become irritable and stressed. We sometimes get the end of all the stressors in our loved ones’ lives, they unintentionally unload all the frustrations and stress on us.

This can lead us to believe that we are no longer loved, wanted, or needed in their lives. We must remember that everyone has stress and life can be challenging for us all. We need to put away our insecurities and help our loved ones. Once we are able to stop worrying over if they do or don’t love us or need us etc., then we can work on helping them through the turbulence that life loves to throw at us all. We love them, and more than likely they love us as well, they chose to be with us in the beginning or are our blood relatives and will continue to be by our side.

Wasting so much time and energy worrying about if you are loved, wanted, or if someone sees you as a burden is pointless. Instead, we should use all that time and energy on making life easier and happier for everyone involved. Love is supposed to be a shared experience, unconditional and selfless. Though it may occasionally dip and sway off track it should always return to its course. I say just love the person you love with all your heart and let the rest take care of itself, don’t waste your precious time on worry or doubts. Life is short so we need to embrace life and love full-heartedly.

Ray Barbier

November 26, 2022November 26, 2022

Random Thoughts 11-26-2022

Life is like walking down a network of roads leading in a multitude of directions. We all want to choose the road that leads to a brighter future and a grand destination, but life is a fleeting thing and the trip eventually will come to an end. So the destination for our physical existence is all the same for each one of us, it is the end of life we will eventually find. That is when the next journey begins and from a religious standpoint, we should be prepared for that journey.

The Journey of life is the gift we have been given since birth, our chance to be an individual and share who we are with the world we live in. Of course, life is also our teacher as well, for this is much we need to learn along our journey. Navigating all the social situations, and relationships we have and finding out who we are is part of the process of life as well.

What we stand for, who we are, where we want to go, how we want to treat others, and how we live this life are some of the things we must decide along the way. Will we live life in fear or will we live life to the fullest, will we treat others with respect and love them unconditionally or will we be judgemental and cold towards others and embrace selfishness?

This life is yours to live and do as you desire, but remember there is a reaction to each action you take, so try your best to be a positive influence on the world and be compassionate towards others. Be forgiving and when you must judge do it with much compassion and love for how you judge others you too will be judged in the same manner along the way and in the end as well. Karma always has its day and what you sow you will surely reap down the road.

I wish you peace and blessing on your journey through life, I hope you will avoid the pitfalls of greed, envy, jealousy, and hate. I pray we all learn to walk the path of life in peace and with compassion and understanding for one another as well. Be good, Be yourself, and may you be a guiding light for others in these dark times.

Ray Barbier

April 17, 2022

Random Thoughts 4-17-2022

During the last few years, it has really come to my attention that humanity tends to cling to hatred, fear, and selfishness far more than it should. The Ideal is that being compassionate, caring, showing love, and being nice in general are signs of weakness that are slowly destroying our societies. Too many hold on to the belief, that in order to be strong you must be callus, cold, and show no mercy.

I ask you this question, which takes more courage, which takes more effort and strength to achieve and maintain? Being a person who lets his fears, anger, and lack of trust guide his decision, being callous and uncaring so that you can achieve a goal, or the person who conquers his fear and puts aside all his anger and distrust in order to achieve his goal?

To me it seems far easier to give in to anger and fear, takes less courage and effort to follow the path of war and destruction. Takes a very strong individual to put themselves out there and do the right thing, to do the things that benefit others more than themselves. Regardless of which way you do things, you will have critics and naysayers, but I would rather be disliked for doing good and being kind than for being a warmonger or a bringer of hate and distrust.

There is some hope for Humanity through all this pandemic and war business going on nowadays, look at those who have opened their hearts and homes to refugees, the people going out of their way to help protect others from the pandemic, and aid in keeping those infected alive. We have seen the worse of humanity and the best of humanity through the last few years and I really hope in the end, the best of humanity will outweigh the worse and become the light to guide the way for future generations to follow.

Try to remember, that we all are brothers and sisters on this earth regardless of our skin color, or religious or political beliefs. We all desire a peaceful and happy world for our children and the future children to come. Be compassionate, caring, and live in harmony, if not for yourself, then for your children and the future.

That said, May peace come soon to the Ukraine conflict, may the pandemic pass for us all, and Happy Easter, Passover, and Ramadan to you all. Happiness and peace to all of my Brothers and Sisters across the world.

Ray Barbier

April 9, 2022

Random Thoughts 4-9-22

There are those in life that serve themselves and never serve others, they get so self-absorbed they lose the ability to feel empathy. They lose focus on the importance of life, the blessings of compassion and charity. The lust for power and greed consume them to the point nothing else matters beyond acquiring more wealth and power.

I do not know if it is that they believe more power, possessions, and money will bring meaning into their life or that through such they can find some sort of happiness. To have some power and some wealth to give one security is something I can see all of us desiring to one degree or another, but it is hard to see it being more important than the well-being of others around us.

People like Putin that have way more than they need still seek more and put their dreams of a Legacy to leave behind above the worth of human lives around them. They see their own desires and ambitions as more important than the lives of others. Putin unfortunately has the power to take the lives of others, and it has cost the lives of thousands all in the name of his vision for his country and vision of a legacy.

Photo by August de Richelieu on Pexels.com

There is always a diplomatic solution to every political situation as long as both parties desire peace and stability. Unfortunately, diplomacy is a long game strategy, something that takes time, and some world leaders do not have much patience. Diplomacy also usually requires some give and take and a lot of the time one or both sides only want to take and never want to give. So diplomacy, the best solution to most political problems is not always the most desired because it takes too long and it means both sides must give something up in order to bring things to a close.

World leaders should be more focused on serving humanity as a whole than serving just their own ambitions, desires, and only the interests of their piece of the globe. We all should be focused on helping one another to be happier, healthier, and successful as well. Sometimes you serve yourself best by serving those around you, strengthening your community, and making a better world for everyone.

Just imagine if all the nations of the world were to work together to combat hunger, poverty, disease, and climate change. If they poured all their resources into improving the world we live in instead into weapons . We would probably see an end to most of those things fairly quickly and the rest in the short term future. Only if we could put aside all our political and ideological differences and combine our strengths to build a better future for all of humanity.

Well, enough Rambling on from this old midwesterner. Peace be with you all and may you create meaning in your life.

Ray Barbier