Tag: Belief

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Random Thoughts 11-28-23


When you take a step back and look at things from a distance, you may come to the conclusion that all people suffer from shortcomings and that no one person is greater than another. This perspective can help you see how you may have been too judgmental of yourself and others. It is important to think before you speak and judge, and to be more compassionate and forgiving. Remember that everyone is a work in progress, and there is always room for improvement.

Sometimes, it is better to say nothing than to speak your mind and fan the flames of disharmony. Before you speak or act, take a moment to consider your true intentions. Lead your thoughts with your heart and temper your emotions with logic and contemplation. This will help ensure that your words and actions are aligned with your true intentions.

Some people may consider being compassionate or charitable as a weakness, but they overlook the fact that it takes a fearless and strong individual to put themselves in harm’s way in order to help others. Love is not always safe and sometimes makes you a target of others in this world. It is important to remember that being compassionate and charitable is a sign of strength, not weakness. It takes courage to stand up for what you believe in and to help others, even when it is not easy. Keep in mind that your actions can make a positive impact on the world around you, and that is something to be proud of.

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Finding Balance, Helping Others, and Being Humble: A Guide to Living a Meaningful Life


We often fall into a trap of negativity, a mental state of being pessimistic and hopeless. We see the world and our life through a filter of fear, anger, and confusion instead of embracing the reality and beauty of our existence. We let things like personal issues, low self-esteem, greed, circumstances, and our ego interfere with our creativity and purpose in life.

Holding on to resentment, and choosing hate, fear or uncertainty only wastes the energy we could use to improve our lives and the lives of others. Changing our perspective from just serving our own desires and needs to a balanced approach of caring for other people’s needs and our own needs and desires. Of course, the ideal path of total selflessness and humility would be the best path to follow, but for most of us out there the balanced path would probably benefit both ourselves and others the most.

Reaching a balance between the needs of others and our needs and wants is not an easy task, but it is a rewarding one. It requires us to be mindful of how our actions and choices affect not only ourselves but also those around us. It also requires us to be compassionate and empathetic and to understand and respect the feelings and perspectives of others. It does not mean that we have to sacrifice our own happiness or well-being, but that we have to share it with others. By doing so, we can create a more harmonious and peaceful world, where everyone can enjoy the gifts of life.

Helping others and being humble are two virtues that can enrich our lives and make us happier. When we help others, we not only make a positive difference in their lives but also in our own. We feel a sense of satisfaction, gratitude, and joy that comes from being of service to others. We also learn from their experiences, perspectives, and wisdom. Being humble means that we acknowledge our limitations, mistakes, and flaws and that we are open to learning, growing, and improving ourselves. It also means that we appreciate our strengths, talents, and achievements, but without being arrogant, boastful, or selfish. Being humble helps us to be more respectful, honest, and compassionate towards ourselves and others.

In conclusion, we have discussed how to overcome negativity, find balance, help others, and be humble. These are some of the ways that we can live a more fulfilling and meaningful life. We can also inspire others to do the same and create a ripple effect of positive change in the world. We are all connected, and we all have a purpose. We are all one lifetime, and we should make the most of it. Thank you for reading and have a blessed day.

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Ray Barbier

Some Related links you may find useful

10 Ways To Help Others That Will Lead You To Success – Forbes: This article suggests some ways to share your knowledge, resources, and opportunities with others and how they can benefit you as well.

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The Significance of Love and Compassion in Our Lives


Humanity has made tremendous strides in science and technology, but we still have much to learn when it comes to mental, spiritual, and emotional growth. We often blame external forces for the turmoil and destruction that we create ourselves. However, blaming and pointing fingers never solve any issue. Instead, we should focus on enacting change within ourselves and inspiring change in those around us. Love, peace, understanding, and compassion are like seeds that grow and bear fruit to spread themselves further.

On the other hand, things such as lust, greed, and hate are like viruses that quickly spread from person to person. The main difference is that fruit nourishes the body, mind, and soul while a virus corrupts and eats away at them. We can choose to embrace whichever one we desire, but we must know the cost, consequence, and reward of each. Good works alone will not get us to heaven but they are part of the journey towards being the people that God created us to be.

As the Bible tells us, even the wicked do good things for their loved ones and family. Therefore, we must take it further by being compassionate, loving, and kind towards all living things – be they friend or foe – as no man or woman is greater or lesser than another. We should love one another unconditionally without hesitation.

The things that most people seek, such as wealth, social status, and physical beauty, are all fleeting and will eventually be the dust we came from. Therefore, what worth should we put upon such temporary things? On this earth, there are many religions and many do not believe in God. The gift of free will made this possible and it is the will of God that we have the choices to believe as we wish. So spread the Gospel but respect the right of others not to believe or to believe differently. Be at peace with everyone, even those you see as enemies. The compassion you show others will not be forgotten.

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Ray Barbier

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Living Authentically: How to Be True to Yourself


Words are powerful. They have the ability to convey thoughts and feelings and bring ideas to life. But words alone are not enough. To truly bring them to life, we must live by them. We must act on our good ideas and live by wise words, not just read them and cast them aside.

Simple sayings like the golden rule should be a part of our being, not just a phrase we spout when it’s convenient. Too many people claim to be one thing while acting the opposite. Hypocrisy is rampant in politics, religion, and society as a whole.

We are all guilty of hypocrisy at some point in our lives. But if we want to live an honest and authentic life, we must be true to ourselves and others. We must stop deceiving ourselves and others and be open about who we are.

Words are indeed powerful and can convey thoughts and feelings and bring ideas to life. However, words alone are not enough. To truly bring them to life, we must live by them. We must act on our good ideas and live by wise words, not just read them and cast them aside.

To live by your words and be true to yourself, you need to take responsibility for your own happiness. You also need to be honest with yourself and let your heart speak (not just your head). You should remove negative influences and spend time alone with yourself (stop avoiding yourself). Stop trying to be what others expect you to be and choose authenticity over popularity. Learn how and when to say “No”.

Here are some more tips on how to live life by staying true to yourself :

  • Be confident in doing what you love and what makes you happy without fearing judgment from others.
  • Realize that you are enough and you are important.
  • Surround yourself with authentic people who support you in your journey.
  • Live according to the values and beliefs that you hold most dear.
  • Commit to living and working according to your core values.

In the end, our true selves will be revealed to those around us. So let’s live by our words and be true to ourselves.

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Ray Barbier

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Respect, dignity and the Elderly.


Respecting and appreciating others for who they are and what they mean to us is a valuable lesson for everyone. Many people struggle with feeling invisible or insignificant, which can damage their self-confidence and mental well-being. This is especially true for the young and the old, who often face more challenges and discrimination in life. Whether it’s because of legal restrictions, health issues, or generational gaps, they may feel powerless or unwanted by society.

We are all important and worthy of recognition in this world. We all deserve to be loved, to love, and to live with dignity. Sadly, this world is full of division, injustice, and very unequal distribution of power and wealth. Those who have plenty seem to be blind to the suffering of those who have nothing, fear and greed keep it that way, sadly.

Recently, the government has taken some steps to provide financial assistance to children and reduce child poverty, which is a positive sign of their commitment to improving children’s well-being. However, the elderly population seems to be under constant attack by some in Congress due to their views on Entitlement programs such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.

How come the spending cuts always target the programs that are meant to help the most vulnerable and needy members of our society and those who cannot fend for themselves? The older generation is the one that contributed their taxes throughout their careers, elected most of those in office, created the technology we use today, and shaped this great nation we live in. They deserve more respect than they are getting from those in power.

I urge the young to remember that you will one day grow old and need or want some of the benefits that some in Congress want to reduce or eliminate. The elderly are your parents and grandparents too. Not everyone has the same chance to prepare for retirement due to low income and factors beyond their control. The elderly deserve to be honored, appreciated, and respected not only for the work they have done but for the wisdom and knowledge they have to offer to others.

Respecting and caring for the elderly is a common theme in almost every religion, and different religions have their own views on how to do so. Some of these views are as follows:

Christians believe that God commands them to honor their parents and to care for the elderly with gratitude and love. They follow the example of Jesus, who was compassionate to the elderly and gave his mother to his disciple John before he died on the cross.

Muslims respect and honor the elderly for their contributions and sacrifices to society. They have a duty to care for their parents and to show mercy and compassion to the elderly. They look up to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) who established Islam at an old age and honored his elderly companions.

Hindus revere the elderly as venerable and worthy of respect. They think that caring for the elderly is a sacred duty and a way of repaying the debt to their ancestors. They also think that the elderly have spiritual knowledge and experience that can guide the younger generations. They follow a four-stage model of life, in which the last stage is renunciation, where one detaches from worldly affairs and devotes oneself to God.

Buddhists value the elderly as teachers and role models of the Buddhist path. They think that caring for the elderly is a way of practicing compassion and generosity, two of the main virtues in Buddhism. They also think that the elderly have insight and wisdom through their life experiences and can help others overcome suffering. They follow a five-precept code of ethics, which includes respecting life, property, speech, sexuality, and mind.

Jews honor the elderly as bearers of tradition and heritage. They think that caring for the elderly is a mitzvah (commandment) and a form of honoring God. They also think that the elderly have a special connection with God and can offer blessings and prayers for others. They follow the Torah (law) as their guide for life, which includes many rules and rituals regarding respect for parents, elders, and teachers.

These are some of the teachings and views of the major religions of the world on caring for the elderly. They show that the elderly have a special status and a right to be treated with respect, dignity, and kindness. They also show that caring for the elderly is a way of expressing one’s faith, values, and gratitude. By learning from these teachings and views, we can appreciate the diversity and richness of the world’s religions and cultures, and we can also improve our own attitudes and behaviors toward the elderly.

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Ray Barbier

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Alone or Not? The Cosmic Mystery of UAPs and Alien Wonders


I have often wondered if we are alone in the universe or if there is life somewhere else. Space is so huge and varied, with many stars and planets that could support life in the right conditions. Maybe there is a civilization out there that is much older and more advanced than ours, or maybe only simple microbes and cells exist beyond our solar system.

My opinion is that we are not the only intelligent beings in the universe. There could be both more and less advanced races than us, depending on how long they have existed. I think the universe would be too empty if only one sentient species were inhabiting it. It makes more sense to have a diversity of species throughout the universe to spread and sustain life.

I don’t rule out the possibility that extraterrestrials have visited Earth and influenced our ancestors, but there is no clear evidence for that yet. I know that traveling across vast distances of space from another star system is beyond our current science and technology, but some older and more advanced races may have discovered ways to fold space, warp space, or use wormholes to shorten the travel time.

The Ancient Alien theory doesn’t resonate with me when it suggests that humans required alien support to build enormous structures and so on. That’s undervaluing human ingenuity and talents. Some ancient constructions are still amazing and challenging to reproduce with today’s technology, but that is not proof that some extraterrestrial species were involved in their creation.

The U.S. Government has recognized the existence of UAPs (previously called UFOs) and some of them have shown abilities beyond our current technology. This has cleared the way for the topic to be explored without stigma. This enables more serious scientific inquiry and open conversation on the phenomenon without the academic and social stigma that used to hinder it.

Many UFO enthusiasts and conspiracy theorists wonder if governments around the world have alien technology or contact and are keeping it secret from the public. If that is the case, I wouldn’t be shocked and I would think that revealing that they have been hiding that from the public would be something difficult for them to do without causing some kind of social turmoil or political fallout.

Sooner or later, the truth always emerges no matter how much they try to conceal it from the public. So they will probably try to find a way to disclose most of the truth but in a way to minimize the political and social repercussions of hiding the truth for so long. But as I said before, this is all speculation and theory when it comes to the possibility of the governments hiding the truth of their possession of alien spacecraft and technology or possible contact with such extraterrestrial beings.

I wish that if there are Extraterrestrial visitations and technology that our governments are hiding, that they will be revealed and found within my lifetime. Far as the religions of the world, I don’t think the discovery that we are not alone in the universe would cause any problems. Instead, I think it would just reinforce their belief and faith.

In conclusion, I have shared my thoughts and opinions on the possibility of life in the universe, the existence of UAPs, and the potential cover-up of alien technology and contact by the governments. I have also expressed my hope and curiosity to learn the truth in my lifetime, and my view on how the religions of the world would react to such a discovery. These are all speculative and theoretical topics, but they are fascinating and intriguing to explore.

Thank you for reading my blog post on the possibility of life in the universe and the mystery of UAPs. I’m curious to know your thoughts and feedback on this topic. Do you share or differ from my opinions? Do you have any queries or tips for me? Please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below and share your views. I appreciate your time and interest.

An open mind is a mind that is not frozen in preconceived beliefs.

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Ray Barbier

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The Journey to Self Improvement.


I fight the inner demon of despair that haunts me every day. It feeds on the hurtful echoes of past hurts that scarred me deeply. I struggle to apply reason and logic to deal with the messy and twisted memories of the past that torment me. My self-image and self-esteem are often assaulted by self-hatred that comes from the circumstances and judgments of others in my past that made me feel unworthy and inadequate.

I wonder how I allowed such a strong enemy to enter my mind and take over my emotions and self-worth. How did I let it convince me that I am not good enough or deserving of happiness? I have achieved some goals in managing that darker side of myself, but I still have a long and hard journey ahead to find peace with myself and who I am. I still have to overcome many obstacles and challenges that test my resilience and courage.

I have to face it every day and every step until I can finally bury it for good. Each negative thought I have to challenge and scrutinize with courage, bringing out the truth and showing that most of those negative thoughts are false and have no proof to support them. I have to expose the lies and distortions that the inner demon tries to make me believe.

I am not faultless, but I am not a bad person either. I have to recognize my faults but also celebrate my good qualities. I have to acknowledge my mistakes but also learn from them. I have to remember that I am not alone in facing such things, almost everyone has that darker side trying to pull them down. But I also have a brighter side that shines with hope and kindness.

I embrace the opportunities I have to grow within myself, and I feel hopeful and optimistic because of the love of my friends and the tools I have acquired to handle that part of me. The key is to maintain a positive outlook and to appreciate the people who are with me in my journey of life. I have been overcoming this for a long time, and even though I have faced some difficulties, I have also achieved many successes.

Be Kind to yourself and others, and seek that which heals and creates while avoiding that which destroys.

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Ray Barbier

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You may be the result of your past, but you are in control of the present and who you can become in the future


Looking back at your life in retrospect allows you to see where you made mistakes and where you made some good choices as well. But one must not get stuck in regret and nostalgia, if you do then you will become stagnant and never move forward. Learn from the past, but do not live in it.

It s just as important to plan for the future, but do not allow yourself to be blind to the present due to focusing too much on the future. It is a balancing act between looking forward, backward and living in the present. The present should be the highest priority since the past is gone and the future is not here as of yet.

You may be the result of your past, but you are in control of the present and who you can become in the future. But it all starts here in the moment you are living. Let go of the mistakes of the past, the fear of the future and focus on making a difference in the here and now.

Regret, fear, and nostalgia tend to keep one paralyzed mentally and emotionally thus making it hard for someone to move forward with their life. Forgive yourself for past mistakes, put aside the fear you feel due to the uncertainty of the future, and let go of nostalgia as soon as you are able to.

Using tools such as meditation, mindfulness, and music, and getting help from mental health professionals can aid in moving forward and dealing with the fear and guilt you may be facing. This is your only life to live, so use all tools available to help you become the best version of yourself that you can be.

Most of all tell that little voice in the back of your mind always telling you things such as you are not good enough or that you can not do something, to be quiet and go away. Try Replacing it with positive affirmations and thoughts when you are able.

May you have a love-filled life and may you share the love you have with those around you.

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Ray Barbier

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The older generation has so much to give


The aging population in the world has been cast aside, and modern society looks upon the older generations as disposable. Politicians see the elderly as a financial burden due to social security and Medicare costs and have forgotten the many years of work and taxes the older generation had contributed to our great nation. The saddest part of all is that the good part of those wanting to do away with social security and so on, are old enough or close to the age of being recipients of social security.

This modern world is for the younger generation to enjoy and the elderly or older generation is considered disposable in many people’s eyes. Those who are the parents and grandparents of the current generation are no longer considered important to a percentage of those in power and in our population. The same people who got us to the moon revolutionized the technology industry, built skyscrapers, and raised the current generation are now looked upon as unimportant.

The not-quite-elderly, those in their 50’s suffer a lot of age discrimination when it comes to employment, either they have a hard time finding work or they get forced out of their job when employers hire younger staff to replace them and/or take the hours they once had. Experience and loyalty do not count for much nowadays in the workforce, it is all about being young, the quantity of work over quality, and in some cases, it is about physical beauty and so on.

I will say at least the federal government is stepping up when it comes to young children, but they sure drop the ball when it comes to the older generation and those not fortunate enough to have children. Life is precious be it in the spring, summer, fall, or even winter of its existence. To overlook or cast aside life in any of its seasons is wrong.

There is enough inequality and inequity in this world as it is, do we have to add to it by categorizing a certain age group as 2nd class citizens? We all are Americans, regardless of our age, sex, religion, color, or political affiliation. Seems we humans get too stuck on separating ourselves by labels and categories, falling prey to elitism and bigotry. No one is disposable, no one is lesser nor is anyone greater. We all matter, and we all are human beings.

The older generation has so much to give, wisdom from experience, stories of their lives that are memories of not-so-recent history, and most of all their love and companionship.

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Ray Barbier

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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.

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Ray Barbier

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