Thought of the day – Page 18 – One Lifetime Blog

June 17, 2014June 17, 2014

Life is short, so cherish every moment you can with those you love .

In this modern world there seem to be way too many distractions and things that overload our minds. So much to distract us from what is truly important to us and keep our minds focused away from what needs to be done. We allow such things as television, radio and even our jobs to either distract us or get in the way of quality time with our family and friends. So easy to just zone out and watch a TV show or play a computer game and ignore things needed to get done. So easy to ignore everyone around us whom need our attention, affection and companionship.

I have seen so many couples live together but really just share the same space instead of sharing their lives. The become so self-absorbed within their little universe that they barely acknowledge one another.

We all love our little distraction, but we must learn to set aside time for our love ones and to manage our time so we do not neglect the people and things that are important in our lives. Enjoy the distractions but don’t let them be a hurdle or roadblock in your life. Find time to spend with your family and friends along with some quiet time for yourself. Life is short, so cherish every moment you can with those you love.

June 12, 2014June 12, 2014

do something kind for someone

Today I challenge everyone to do something kind for someone else, be it a hug,kind words of encouragement or just lend a helping hand. Though this world is known to consume all of our time with work, stress and the daily routine if we can spare a few minutes to spread kindness and compassion it will make both the person we share it with and ourselves have a better day!

June 11, 2014June 11, 2014

Just a fool with his folly

You can call me a dreamer, an occasionally and accidental visionary or just a fool with his folly. I’m just a silly old man with a dream of a better world or at least a better way of living in it. I may be wrong often and right on a rare occasion but at least I dare to dream and to express what is within my heart and soul. I ponder on old ideas that at times seem new and new ideas that came from old ones. I claim nothing other than I am a man and a dreamer.

I dislike injustice and all the things in this world that bring it about. I see everyone and thing that is alive as precious and I do not embrace the notion one person is greater than another. We all are equal, just we all have different gifts and shortcomings. Few things we all do have in common is our wish to survive along with our desire for our children to have a better life and world to live in. Regardless of Nationality, Religion,Race, sex or even lifestyle we all want a happier and safer world for our children to live in. For the children are our future and they also are our common point of interest.

I am far from perfect and even further from being wise, but I do the best with what gifts I have been given in my life. I am but a silly old man who dares to dream and to express his heartfelt thoughts and ideas.

Ray Barbier

June 11, 2014June 11, 2014

Random Thoughts – Wednesday 6-11-2014

Each morning I awake is but another chance to change myself, my surroundings and the world I live in. The question is, am I going to make any changes in my life and/or world or am I going to remain just an observer of my life. Inactivity and lack of motivation in one’s life leaves them stagnant and without any inner growth. The comfort zone we tend to enjoy is but an obstacle in the way of our self-development. Though we tend to believe other people affect our moods, metal state and the outcome of our day the truth is they only can if we allow them too. For we are solely responsible and able to enact change within ourselves. We can be influenced by outside sources but only if we choose to allow such.

Sometimes I think we all spend too much time worrying about what others think about us and not enough about what we think about ourselves. How and what we think about ourselves is what shapes our lives and is also is one of the driving forces behind shaping our ever-changing future. So will you choose to stay in your comfort zone watching your life pass you by and rely on the opinions of others to define who you are or will you take the reins and make changes in your life? The choice has always been your own far as how you live and how you feel. The future is yours to make and yours to master.

You are the Navigator or your own life, never allow others to change your course without deep examination of their motivation and the destination.

Ray Barbier

June 4, 2014June 4, 2014

Without the initial spark we will never see a flame.

Once I had a person say they wished they could change the world, though that is an admirable goal it is one most would find impossible to carry out. Though it seems like something that is near impossible there is always a possibility one person can change the world or at least the way the world thinks. We have seen in history great statesman, politicians , religious leaders and visionaries make considerable changes in the world and in the minds of the people.

One voice can make a difference, all change starts within ourselves and then it radiates outward towards all around us. How we act, react and what we say has a large impact on our world even if it’s in a small way or localized area. If that one voice inspires others to join in then change begins to expand and can enact a change globally.

In a nut shell it takes someone to start a movement for change in order for change to come about. Without the initial spark we will never see a flame. Become what you believe we all should be like, live by example and then others will follow suit. To preach of a peaceful world or life but be in turmoil yourself is self-defeating. Lead and live by example and make change happen if not in the world at least in your part of it. Be an agent of change and not an inactive bystander in life.

This world needs more free thinkers, visionaries and promoters of peace and compassion.

Raymond Barbier

May 30, 2014May 30, 2014

far easier to ignore and be blind

So many people in need in our world and so little reason they should be. There is plenty of food and clean water to go around if it isn’t wasted. I think we as a society have grown somewhat complacent and believe our governments are responsible for the well-being of those in need. The fact is each and every one of us are responsible for the wellbeing of ourselves and others. Very little would we have to sacrifice to make another persons life better. Sometimes its just a conversation, an opportunity to provide for themselves or just a simple meal for someone who is hungry. Though throwing money at a problem may treat the symptom but it does not cure the disease.

Even though there are those that take advantage of the system per se, many are truly willing to work and be a productive part of society. Those whom take advantage of the system should be rooted out and those willing to better themselves should become the main focus. Far as those unable to work or take care of themselves , they are the responsibility of the community in whole. Some of those in need could be trained and put in charge of taking care of those whom need assistance and others trained to be better suited for a new career as well.

There are so many of us whom can lend a helping hand to our brothers and sisters who don’t and others decide to turn a blind eye to the truth all around them. Its far easier to ignore and be blind to the suffering of others than face the truth of how many are in need right here in our own country as well in all the nations of the world.We all need to wake up and open our eyes to the needs of our brothers and sisters. If we all just gave 5 minutes each a day to help others it would change a lot, imagine if we all gave an hour. Just remember it only takes one bad decision or major life event to turn your happy and secure life into a homeless and hungry one.

We all are brothers and sisters in this lifetime we live, we don’t always have to agree or even get along. We just need to have compassion, love and understanding towards each other and even ourselves.

Raymond Barbier

May 24, 2014May 24, 2014

Saturday morning thoughts 5/24/14

Sometimes I believe we get so wrapped up in the thought “what is there in it for me” we tend to forget what is in it for the greater good. It’s only natural to want to take care of your own needs and wants, but we must learn to put the needs of everyone at the same level of priority as our own. I mean we must look at ourselves in such a way that we realize that as an individual we are not the center of the universe.

All life is precious, from the single cell organisms to the most complex multi celled life form. Here on earth almost everything has life in it or on its surface. Life looms everywhere and its such a miracle and wondrous thing to behold. We are all apart of this miraculous thing called life and we all share the same home which we call earth. No species should be looked upon as lesser for all life forms have their purpose here. We human beings have the biggest influence on the environment and the world we live in. We can change our environment to suit our wants and needs unlike any other creäture before us. With such power and abilities we should be more responsible for our actions and take on the role of caretakers or this precious resource called planet earth and all the life upon it

Earth was a gift to us, we are the ones whom can destroy it or restore it. The choice is ours far as how we treat our home and all the other life forms that we share it with. How we choose to treat our home will decide the fate of our children and their children’s children.

Ray Barbier

May 21, 2014May 21, 2014

if there is no trust then love gets twisted

Love and matters of the heart are complicated but yet simple. The complication comes from our doubts and fear of being hurt most of the time. Sometimes this comes from past experiences and other times it comes from the lack of experience in being truly loved. Also self-worth and doubt can be a big problem as well, but trust plays one of the biggest parts in love and happiness. One can not love someone and be loved and not trust, if there is no trust then love gets twisted into jealousy and possessiveness.

One problem is when someone trusts and loves another with all their heart and are betrayed they tend to get a very deep scar emotionally and mentally. This scar or wound is not easily healed and will tend to affect future relationships as well as any kind of reconciliation in the current relationship. Trust is not easily rebuilt after a betrayal of the heart.

Forgiveness is a key to healing, but it is not always easy to forgive when you’ve been emotionally devastated by the actions of someone you’ve loved and trusted. We must realize though they betrayed us, they are only human and thus being are prone to be imperfect in action and thoughts. No relationship is perfect either, when you have two people who have been raised differently and had different life experiences trying to become a single unit there is bound to be times of turbulence during the adjustment period of a newer relationship. Usually in time most differences are either remedied or put aside for the sake of the relationship.

Remember to not judge your partner too harshly, for you have faults just like they do. Compassion, understanding and forgiveness should always play a part in a relationship. Trust is the most important I believe and so is respect, respect for yourself and for your partner. No relationship is beyond repair, but there are some relationships that because of the hurt feelings , verbal and physical abuse that may be better off just letting go of and ending it than trying to save it.

Love is a very precious thing and so is the trust required to have a relationship. Think wisely before entering a relationship and work diligently to maintain and improve it. It takes some work and sometimes a long time to have a great relationship and other times you luck out and find a partner that’s like a soul mate. even those soul mate type relationships require maintenance and work to keep them going.

Life is a long journey that seems to be quickly traveled, so remember to love wholeheartedly, forgive easily and look for the silver lining in every moment you experience.

Ray Barbier

May 16, 2014May 16, 2014

Friday Morning Thoughts

When we are young we are invincible, unstoppable and foolishly ignorant of our mortality. But we also were full of undying faith and knew the joy of being children of god. As we grew older we had to face our mortality and the fact we are not the unstoppable or unmovable force we once believed. We begin to lose faith in this world and in our selves, and many lose their faith in God as well.

We can reestablish our faith in God and we can also leave the fear of our mortality behind us with such faith. We must constantly remind ourselves where our strength, blessings and wisdom comes from, not from ourselves but from God. We must learn to let go and let God take control, the Ego or Self tends to be resistant to letting God be the one to be in control.

Fear is the enemy, it causes doubt and drains the power of faith, love and it keeps us from happiness. Selfishness is an enemy as well, one can not serve ones self before serving God nor can they truly help others is they seek to satisfy themselves first. We can only serve one master at a time, and if that master is our own self we tend to neglect not only God but all the people who need us and love us as well.

Matthew 6:24
No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

2 Timothy 1:7
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

James 1:3
Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

April 29, 2014April 29, 2014

Today is the day, today is the spot in time I now live

Today is the day, today is the moment I live in, not the future nor the past. Today is what I experience and all the experiences of yesterday are but a memory. To move on to the future I must let go of the past, to truly live I must embrace what this day brings. I must no longer allow the weights of my past mistakes anchor me to a fate that is not meant to be mine. Too many times my past has played a stumbling block in the present and altered the course of my future.

I choose if I am happy or if I am not, I choose now to act instead of react to circumstances that I face during my day. The freedom to choose is a right, but it’s a right we can embrace or choose to deny ourselves. We can lay victim of circumstances and the and the actions of others or we can take the helm and plot our own course.

Today is the day, today is the spot in time I now live and it is mine to live as I choose.

Raymond Barbier