Thought of the day – Page 7 – One Lifetime Blog

February 13, 2023

Modern News Companies and Politicalization

Is it just me or is every news channel on Cable, satellite, and the internet focused on making every news broadcast political even when the subject is not? They show you the news and information they provide through their political lens. Many of them accuse the politicians of stoking the flames of the political divide when in truth some of the news outlets do more pushing on politicization and that does not help in reducing the political divide in our nation.

Being a middle-of-the-road kind of person when it comes to politics, I am not going to focus on which political position may be right or wrong but more on the fact that politicization of every opinion and most news on the various mediums does nothing but further the political divide and causes nothing but unrest and even violence in the end. Politicians and News Media outlets are only partially to blame, a good part of the blame falls on us, the citizens and viewers.

We spend way too much time glued to our electronic devices watching the news station that best suits our political views and we lose focus on the fact that regardless of our political party we back or our political views, we all are citizens and fellow residents of this great nation. We should be more focused on working together to fix the problems we face here in the U.S. and on finding ways to come up with compromises on the most politically divisive issues.

It is called the United States because we all agreed to work together for the betterment of everyone regardless of political affiliation, race, religion, or sex. We the people means everyone, not just one elite group or only one class of people etc. So let’s get to work on closing these political divides and find compromise on the issues we may all not agree on one way or another.

I myself have chosen to turn off all news from cable, newspapers, and the internet. I only watch the local news for the headlines and weather now. Still a small bit of political bias and opinion but far less than the other media platforms. I prefer to form my own opinions and come to my own conclusions than follow those of others blindly. Free thinking is the cornerstone of a healthy mind and a good worldview.

Take opinions of others with a grain of salt, think for yourself, and always verify any and all sources of information my friends.

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

February 2, 2023February 2, 2023

Equality, Capitalism, and Social Programs.

Equality refers to the idea that all individuals should have equal opportunities and rights, regardless of their race, gender, socioeconomic status, etc. Capitalism is an economic system where the means of production and distribution are privately owned and operated for profit. Social programs refer to government initiatives aimed at providing support and assistance to individuals and communities in need, such as health care, education, and unemployment benefits.

The relationship between equality, capitalism and social programs can be complex and sometimes conflicting. Capitalism is often criticized for perpetuating inequality, as those with more resources and wealth tend to have greater opportunities and advantages. On the other hand, social programs aim to address inequality and provide support to those in need, but they can also be seen as a threat to capitalism by some who view them as government intervention in the market.

Ultimately, the balance between equality, capitalism, and social programs is a political and societal question that can vary greatly depending on cultural, historical, and ideological factors.

Democratic Republics and Equality

A democratic republic is a form of government where power is held by elected representatives and the system of government is based on democratic principles. Equality, as I mentioned earlier, refers to the idea that all individuals should have equal opportunities and rights, regardless of their race, gender, socioeconomic status, etc.

In a democratic republic, the principles of equality and democracy are often seen as intertwined and essential to the functioning of the system. The idea is that by having equal representation and equal voting rights, the government can better serve the needs and interests of all citizens.

However, the reality of equality in a democratic republic can be more complex. Issues such as unequal access to education, healthcare, and voting rights can still exist, and there may be groups that face systemic barriers to equal representation and equal treatment under the law. As a result, ongoing efforts to address and rectify these inequalities are often a central focus of democratic republics.

Democratic Republics and Capitalism

A democratic republic is a form of government where power is held by elected representatives and the system of government is based on democratic principles. Capitalism, as I mentioned earlier, is an economic system where the means of production and distribution are privately owned and operated for profit.

In a democratic republic with a capitalist economy, the government typically plays a role in regulating the economy and ensuring fair competition, while also protecting the rights of individuals and businesses. The democratic process allows citizens to have a say in these regulations and protections through their elected representatives.

However, the relationship between a democratic republic and capitalism can also be complex and sometimes conflicting. The pursuit of profit in a capitalist system can lead to economic inequality, which can undermine the principles of equality and democracy in a democratic republic. Additionally, regulations and protections put in place by the government to address these inequalities can sometimes be seen as interference in the market and can be opposed by those who prioritize capitalism.

Ultimately, the balance between a democratic republic and capitalism is a political and societal question that can vary greatly depending on cultural, historical, and ideological factors.

Democratic Republics and Social Programs

A democratic republic is a form of government where power is held by elected representatives and the system of government is based on democratic principles. Social programs, as I mentioned earlier, are government initiatives aimed at providing support and assistance to individuals and communities in need, such as health care, education, and unemployment benefits.

In a democratic republic, social programs can be seen as a crucial component of ensuring equal opportunities and promoting the well-being of all citizens. Through the democratic process, citizens can have a say in the creation and implementation of these programs, and elected representatives can be held accountable for their impact.

However, the funding and sustainability of social programs can also be a point of contention in a democratic republic. Some may view social programs as necessary investments in the well-being of society, while others may see them as burdensome and unnecessary government spending. The balance between these views can vary greatly depending on cultural, historical, and ideological factors.

Ultimately, the relationship between a democratic republic and social programs is complex and shaped by a variety of factors, including political and economic conditions, public opinion, and the priorities of elected officials and the citizens they represent.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the relationship between democratic republics, capitalism, and social programs is complex and multifaceted. While these systems and principles can be seen as essential components of a functioning society, they can also be in conflict with one another.

Equality is often seen as a fundamental principle of democratic republics, but it can be undermined by the pursuit of profit in a capitalist system. Social programs aim to address these inequalities, but they can also be seen as a threat to capitalism and a burden on the economy.

Balancing these competing interests and ensuring that all citizens have equal opportunities and protections is a continuous challenge in a democratic republic with a capitalist economy. The role of government and the interplay between these systems will continue to be a subject of political and societal debates, shaped by cultural, historical, and ideological factors.

November 19, 2022November 19, 2022

Random Thoughts 11-19-2022

In my lifetime I have witnessed many tremendous changes in society and the world we live in. I watched the telephone go from rotary dial to touch-tone and eventually to smartphones down the line. I watched computers go from gigantic room-sized units stacked across a wall to the size of a smartphone as well. Vynal records to 8-track tapes to cassette tapes, then to CDs, and eventually to digital formats such as MP3s.

Technology has come a long way since I was born way back in 1967, but it seems we still have a long way to go as a society. It seems we still are dealing with the same fears, prejudices, and division, some look the same some have just changed their outer appearance but they all are still there. Great visionaries such as Martin Luther King who dreamed of a world where we could live without judging one another due to our color, social status, or financial situation gave us hope to hold on to.

But we still hold on to labels, stereotypes, and the illusion that we all are so different we can not live together. We are all the same in the fact we want to be happy, and live life with enough abundance we never are in need or want. We all want our children to grow up and have happy productive lives without conflict or fear. Until we let go of the past and walk beside one another as equals into the future we will be trapped in this cycle of mistrust and fear. Learn from the past, don’t live in it, and carry the baggage from what was into what can and may be.

We face the problem of everyone thinking what they believe is the right way to live is the only way. As humans we all have been born with the right and ability to choose our own paths in life, no one has the right to dictate to another how to live, love, or worship. As long as the way you chose to live does not hinder or harm another then you have all the right in the world to live your life the way you desire.

Freedom of choice and free will are fundamental rights we are born with and should never be taken away from someone. Of course, with those rights, you have a great responsibility. Everything you do and say you are responsible for the outcome of said words and actions. Everything has some sort of reaction or consequence and you must face and accept responsibility for the outcomes.

If you disagree with how someone else lives their life you can express your disagreement but after that, you should accept the other person’s choices and respect their right to live by their choices. This is not condoning their actions, it is simply accepting they have the right to choose that path in life.

This is how my mother taught me in my childhood, she would tell me if I made a choice that she may have seen as wrong for me, or in general, she would simply point out the consequences for the action or choice and tell me to decide and face the music when it’s over. Usually, I would listen to her and choose correctly, sometimes I wouldn’t and I faced the consequences if not immediately, eventually down the line.

She never condemned me for my wrong choices nor did she condone them. She gave me the ability to choose for myself and that in itself was showing me respect as an individual human being. Luckily for a child, his or her parents have unconditional love and patience so it makes it easier to allow such mistakes to be made and let their child grow. Unfortunately, it seems much harder to have that compassionate and unconditional love for strangers and others in our lives.

If were to see each other as a family, distant relatives, or similar maybe we could learn to have more patience and show more compassion for one another. We must learn to live together as brothers and sisters or we may wind up dying together as fools to paraphrase Martin Luther king’s words of wisdom. We need to learn to put away those fears, wipe away the tears of past mistakes, and reach out to one another so we can build a happier future for our children and the future generations to come.

Peace and Blessings

Ray Barbier

November 8, 2022November 8, 2022

Random Thoughts 11-8-2022

To love someone is to accept them as who they are, be there to help them if they need and accept their love and help in turn. Too many people think love is all about what they want in a relationship or how the other person should be. Love is more about what you can do for the other person, it’s more selfless than self-serving. Being in a relationship means being a partner not a boss or critic of the other person and learning to work together to make life better for you both.

Every person has faults and a negative side, and as long as the relationship isn’t abusive in nature you should work around those bad traits and try to help one another through them. Even an abusive relationship may have hope as long as it is not one that is intentional and severe, but I would avoid staying in an abusive relationship due to the risks involved to one or both parties.

People forget how fortunate they are to have a partner in life, and the easily forget how hard it is to stand alone for most of us out there. Being a person who spent up till about his 30s being alone, I do know how hard it is to face life alone, it may not be impossible, but it sure is nicer when you have someone by your side to help you through it and someone for you to help as well.

The Ego is one of the biggest roadblocks to a happy relationship, being stuck in that what about me, I want kind of mentality makes it hard to put your relationship first and your partner before yourself. If both sides follow the rule of putting the other before themselves in the end neither side will ever be without or be found lacking that which they need.

The ego, Self-centered mentality spawns in us as children, and in time it usually fades in most people, but some never outgrow that mentality and it makes it hard to have a good relationship for and with them. We all have a little of that selfish side in us, most of us learned how to put it in check for the most part.

Usually getting married and having children teaches most of us how to be more selfless, though not all of us are blessed with that fate, and some even who have been still don’t grasp the concept of putting those you love before yourself. I think we should just apply the golden rule to relationships, Treat your partner as you would love to have them treat you. If we all followed that rule in our love relationships and even in everyday ones, this world probably would be a much nicer place to live in.

Well, the concept is nice, and may just be an unrealistic hope of a dreamer, but one must keep hope in this world. Peace and blessings to you all

Ray Barbier

November 7, 2022

Random Thoughts: 11-07-2022

We all went through a rough few years with the pandemic, the Ukraine war, and with all the political polarization around us. Many of us stayed glued to the tv and computer screens etc. watching the news, opinion-based shows, and conspiracy-themed shows as well. Constantly being bombarded with information geared to either stir up fear, doubt, and/or anger.

Some of us became numb and indifferent to it all, and others got pulled into the madness of it all and not sure what is a fact, opinion, or what is lies. This has taken a toll on many people’s emotional and mental health to one degree or another. Proof of this is all the violence we are seeing now that is either political or fear-motivated.

As Americans we value freedom of speech, but when does freedom of speech reach the point it becomes pure out hate and fear-mongering? Well, that is the price of freedom of speech, we must allow even ideas that do not fit in our frame of what is correct in order to preserve the right for what we agree with to be presented.

But, just because you have the right to speak does not mean that you will not be met with opposing views, resistance and god forbid someone resorting to violence. The part people forget about a right, is with that right comes responsibility. What you say and do will have consequences, some that you may not forsee or even could prepare for. Reason why people need to cool down and think about what they say and do when things get so heated and polarized.

With all we have had to face in the last few years, we all could use a nice break from all the fear and anger. I myself have chosen to keep my news and opinion watching on tv and internet etc. down to a very minimum. I am returning to watching the world from my small bubble and enjoying nature, family and friends. It sure is nicer than getting all wrapped up in the stuff that is constantly thrown at me via tv and internet.

Politics and religion are topics that stir up many feelings in people, since they seem to be personal subjects most take to heart. I think it is fine if someone beleives different than I do. We all have the right to believe how we choose, and we should respect that right for others as well. In the end I will quote Dune “Fear is the mind killer” becuase it is very true. Fear keeps one from being able to think things through and move forward.

Peace and blessings to all

Ray Barbier

November 1, 2022

Random Thoughts 11-01-2022

Words can heal or they can hurt, how we use what we say can make a big difference in both our lives and the lives of others. How we act around others and how we treat them has a big impact on their lives and in the end, will come back around to impact our lives as well. Those living in the U.S. and similar countries where freedom of speech is celebrated are more likely to face hate and angry speech than in other countries. People take advantage of that right to free speech without realizing they also have to be responsible for the words they speak and the consequences of those words.

Photo by Henri Mathieu-Saint-Laurent on Pexels.com

Politicians are one of the greatest abusers of the freedom of speech right in modern times. They will spout out whatever Rhetoric will motivate their political base to get the votes to either gain power or maintain it. Both republican and democrat parties have used such practices to sway public opinion and gain power in congress. But yet if the politicians only told the truth and debated about things respectfully, most people would probably not even pay the politicians much mind. Seems people are more likely to pay attention to politics as long as there is some sort of drama going on.

The sad part is that political rhetoric has gone to the extreme and acts of violence motivated by such rhetoric are becoming more commonplace. what is even worse is some political figures make light of the violence and joke about it. How can we as a nation face the world if we vote for people who have no care for the wellbeing of others into office? How can we overlook every fault and defect in a candidate just so we can get either a party in power or get one agenda through congress? Sad time for American politics and the American people.

We need to be responsible-minded when it comes to what we say and do, especially if we are in a position of influence. What our words and actions bring about down the line we are partial if not wholly responsible for. It is your life, your voice, and your choice of how to use the time you have on earth. You can choose to spend it doing for others and being kind or be one that is about only yourself. Either way, you are responsible for your actions and words.

There of course are those in congress that don’t go along with the rhetoric nor support it, to those I say stand up and get your voices heard. For sitting in silence is the equivalent of supporting the words and actions of those you disagree with. We need more Bi-Partisanship and less rhetoric in congress, regardless of what party you belong to, you are supposed to be there for all of the people that you represent, not the party you are affiliated with.

In the end, we need to remember there are real people out there that may be affected by our words and actions. Those people deserve the same respect as we ourselves desire and deserve as well. We must remember the golden rule of treating others as we would like to be treated ourselves. The question we must ask ourselves is whether would we like to be treated the way we are treating people in our lives or not.

Politicians not only represent us in government but they also represent us all to the world, how they act and what they say not only affect people here in our country, it also affects how other countries view our country and the people who live in it. One of the many reasons why we, the people they represent should care about what they say and do.

Blessings to all and may you find Happiness.

Ray Barbier

October 21, 2022

Random thoughts on truth, Lies, and modern times.

A lie can appear as a Truth if it is repeatedly told and people either accept it or do nothing to bring it to light. Though a lie can never be the truth, it can be an accepted fact in society even if it is nothing more than an illusion. The reason why we should not be apathetic and allow lies to be left to become illusionary facts. It tends to happen often due to humanity’s tendency to be tribal, that herding / tribalistic nature most of the time hinders one’s ability to think for themselves and gets one caught up in the beliefs of the tribe.

It has been seen throughout humanity’s past in everything from superstition, to religious dogma, and within the political arena. If it wasn’t for free thinkers, rebels against the held beliefs of their times we may have never gotten beyond thinking the earth was flat, the earth is the center of the universe, and so on. Those people did not fall prey to their tribal mentality as much or they found a way to sidestep it completely. They broke through both the lies and misconceptions of the times they lived in.

In modern times it is far easier to deceive multitudes of people due to the invention of television, the radio, and the internet. Recently there has been a great attack on the trust we had in the news agencies we once saw as the guardians of our democracy. They once stood as the pillars of truth and the watchdogs for the civilians and now the major news agencies tend to be more of political propaganda machines. Mixing some news with tons of opinion and conjecture for the sole purpose of swaying viewers to embrace or follow the political agenda of the news organization be it conservative or liberal base.

It is best not to be like sheep and follow any news organiztions political propaganda, it is far better to be a individual that thinks for themselves, questions everything you hear and see. Trust but verify as the old saying goes, never take something at face value. Far as the political issue, their is a need for both liberal and conservitive since too much of one or the other leads to extremes and that tends to cause turmoil in the end. Balance and moderation has worked far better for our democracy all these years than any given time we went to one extreme or another.

The lies will continue as long as humanity exists, but the only way to take down a lie is to seek out and find the truth. Be vigelant and keep your eyes open so you can see beyond what they try to put before you as a distraction. Remeber to question all that you see and hear in these modern times, do your best to follow truth over falling for lies in this life time.

Ray Barbier

September 11, 2022

Random thoughts 9/11/202

The world seems to be going through a time of turmoil and division, these are the times in which poets, authors, musicians, and artists are needed. We need voices of reason out there, images, words, songs, and creativeness to inspire peace and unity.

The world is in need of something that inspires unity, peace, and compassion. And that inspiration can come from all of us in the community that blog, vlog, podcast, and/or make music and art. Right now there are too many people out there pushing distrust, anarchy,, and negativity. We need more positive and constructive influence out there.

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

I hope that my fellow bloggers and content creators pick up the torch of positivity and put out content that helps heal our society and stamp out the negativity that seems to have a grip on this world we now live in. We all must learn to put our differences aside or at least learn to accept our differences in order to bring this world towards a world of peace and compassion.

Photo by Iarlaith McNamara on Pexels.com

A dreamer I may be, but I rather believe we all can come together and make a positive impact than surrender to the thought we all are doomed and there is no hope for humankind.

Blessings to all

Ray Barbier

April 20, 2022

Random Thoughts 4/20/2022

People wonder why there is so much low self-esteem in the world, if you take a good look at television shows, commercials, social media, movies, and even the news on cable news stations you just may see some of the reasons for low self-esteem, but then there is also how one’s family treats them, their peers and the educational system.

When you are constantly bombarded with images of thin, fit, and muscular actors, advertisements aimed to push miracle vitamins and supplements to fix all your shortcomings, it is very hard to hold on to a good self-image and even harder to build it up. Constantly being told that having a perfect body weight, toned muscles, the right clothes, and accessories makes one beautiful and successful is making it hard for most people to maintain healthy self-esteem.

Unfortunately, fashion, the newest electronics, and possessions play a big part in teenage self-image, which makes it hard for those who don’t have the money to compete with their peers. Combining that with parents that have to work 2 jobs or inconvenient hours to maintain the quality of life they have only makes it harder on teenagers and kids.

The ones that seem to suffer the worst during school years are those that don’t quite fit the norm, the overweight, the below-average to average looking, and the sensitive passive individuals. Bullying from those who think they are cool, tougher, and better than others does not help the situation at all. The consequences of bullying are usually mild and it seems it’s hard to catch kids bullying or maybe some just overlook it.

Parents and siblings also play a large part in the development of a child’s self-esteem, they can be either a positive or negative force when it comes to a child’s self-image. Siblings usually are competing for the parent’s attention, love and favor so they tend to be very mean to one another. Parents on the other hand usually are trying to do what’s best for the child but don’t realize what works for one child does not always work for the other. Each child is a unique individual, they have different needs and need help in different ways. Some parents, unfortunately, don’t know how to deal with their children at all so they try to treat them as if they are adults way before the child or teen is emotionally and mentally ready to do so. This usually results in conflict and the child/teen becomes rebellious and has a poor self-image.

If the low self-esteem is not addressed and corrected during the child/teen years then it is carried into the adult years. That makes it very hard for the Adult to achieve a healthy relationship with a significant other and even harder for them to become successful in the work world.

Raising kids is not an easy task, being a parent means you have to be a caregiver, advisor, instructor, friend, leader, cook, counselor, and of course an ATM for the children lol. Helping a child navigate the battlefields of youth and preparing them for the many challenges they will have to face in the future is not an easy thing to accomplish. All you can do is give it your best shot and always be there for them when they need you.

I myself have had self-esteem issues throughout my life, I have been battling low self-esteem for many decades. I could go down a list of all the things that caused my low self-esteem but what is the use of that now that it now falls squarely on me to repair the damage and improve myself. Plus the first step in moving on and building up your self-esteem/self-image is to forgive those who helped in destroying it and letting go of your own contributions to the whole mess as well.

Just know this, there is no one better than you, but then there is no one lesser than you. We all are unique, we all have our own gifts to embrace and shortcomings that we need to deal with. There is no one on this planet that does not have some emotional or psychological baggage to deal with. How much money you have, and how many toys you have has nothing to do with who you are or how good you are. What defines you is how you live life, and how you treat others and yourself.

Being successful sure feels good, being financially well off does make life easier in many ways, but money, possessions, and success are fleeting, they can be gone in an instant. Family and friends to me are far more important along with how I treat others, and how I live my life. Those things will be with me throughout my life.

Well, I wish you happiness, remember it does not matter what others think or say about you, it is what you know about yourself that matters the most.

Ray Barbier