Belief – Page 8 – One Lifetime Blog

October 4, 2014October 4, 2014

Get back on the Track

Sometimes I think we all get too wrapped up in our own lives and the problems we are facing. We get to the point we become self-defeating and we become stuck in a loop. We can not go forward because we are too focused on what is behind us and what might be far ahead of us. Our focus should be on the moment before us and the past needs to be left behind us. Living in the past keeps one from moving forward and/or growing mentally,emotionally and spiritually.

When we get in such a place in our lives we become like a model train that got off the tracks, we get stuck in one place spinning our wheels. So in times like these we need to get back on the track and moving forward. There is so many reasons why we could become derailed in life and only a few ways to get back on the track. Forgiveness of others and yourself is one of the important steps, usually we get stuck in the past due to mistakes by ourselves or others and until we can let go of those mistakes and forgive the one that had committed it that we stay derailed and motionless..Understanding is one of the keys to forgiveness, if you try to see things from the other persons perspective and try to mentally envision yourself in their shoes you may get a glimpse into the reasons why they did what they did.

We all are human, we all make poor choices and most of us go through times in our lives we become bitter and allow hate to control our actions. We all have those moments of weakness and times when we act before we think.. Each and every one of us have problems, burdens and stresses within our life, no one is without stumbling blocks or bad days. Try to remember that when you are faced with either yourself or another that is being angry, hateful or spiteful. Life isn’t easy for most of us so we tend to get lost in our pain and forget that there is so much more to enjoy in life.

The hardest conflicts to resolve are the ones where one or more parties value their pride above all else. Pride is but a stumbling block in the way of diplomacy and conflict resolution.

Ray Barbier .

October 2, 2014October 2, 2014

The Human Spirit and Fellowship

It is amazing how people can go through so much pain, loss and tragedy and still stand strong. The human spirit can overcome almost anything that is thrown at it, especially when there are those around you to lend some of their love and strength to you. When we stand together we are far stronger than when we stand alone. The friendship and fellowship between us are but bonds of love on many levels. This bond is part of the strength that keeps us from falling and giving up.

This is why it is important to have you hand extended to all that are in need, not only do you help them with your strength and compassion they become a part of your strength if you allow them. The more you befriend the more strength you have at your disposal and the more you can help others, be they friends or not. We must not limit our compassion to family or our circle of friends for that only limits our strength and our ability to grow.

We are here to lean on one another when we are not as strong and lend each other support and each others strength to get through the rough times. We are here to celebrate life together and enjoy the blessings we have. As long as we don’t allow selfishness, pride and fear to fill our hearts there is little we can not accomplish or overcome.

We should not waste time fearing death, instead we should spend that time cherishing life and those we share life with.

Ray Barbier

September 17, 2014September 17, 2014

When I Was Young–Random Thoughts 9-17-14

When I was young I thought life was beautiful, that I was indestructible and had little to no fear of death. The faith I had in God was unshakable and my heart was always loving and forgiving as well. I recall a memory of when I had wrecked my bike into the back of a pickup truck, I split my nose in half from the impact and lip. My face was quite horrifying to see all sewn up. My brother being the little brat he was, he thought he would get me by making me look at my face in the mirror for the first time. my mother walked in as it was happening and thought I was going to freak, she was trying to say words to calm me etc. I glanced at my face in the mirror and with not even a thought I just shrugged it off saying to my mother “I am not worried about it mom, God will take care of me. I was so unafraid of the possibilities, I knew id be ok deep within myself. That is the kind of faith we as adults should have as well. Unfortunately as we grow older having such faith becomes harder to have.

Faith is a key component to our relationship with God, we must have trust in his promises and his love.

Just some random thoughts Smile

Raymond Barbier

September 14, 2014September 14, 2014

Random Thoughts 9/14/2014



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Sometimes we tend to get so wrapped up in ourselves that we can see the world outside. We get so caught up in our dreams, troubles and the stress of the daily grind and we allow so many wondrous sights to be unseen. So many moments of value we let slip by out of our tendency to be self involved. We also allow ourselves to get into a negative cycle of emotions when we become too focused only on our own life and circumstances.

As an individual we are not the center of the universe and we should realize there are others around us, and just like us they have feelings, desires and problems in their life. To be self-centered or focused only on your self is not a good way to live, it tends to keep you from experiencing so many grand things such as fellowship, friendship, family and community. We are social creatures by nature and to deny our selves of the sense of community is to deny ourselves from the main part of being alive and human.



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In the extreme sense, being selfish and self-centered is what leads to jealousy, hatred, greed, fear and eventually wars. To be humble and selfless is a better way to live, For no war has ever been started by a humble person who put others before themselves. Nor does selflessness and being humble lead to anger or fear. Worry less about keeping up with your neighbors in possessions and worry more about the guy down the road who may have no place to sleep or any food to eat. One day you could be that homeless and hungry person, for nothing in life is concrete or guaranteed.



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Though money makes life easier , it does not make one happier, nor do possessions. Love, companionship and being a part of the world we live in brings far more joy and is more permanent than riches and or fame. For money and fame are fleeting kind of like physical beauty and youth.

Well enough of my ramblings for today, May your path in life be one of contentment and compassion and may you find that which makes you truly happy in life.

God Bless

Ray Barbier

September 2, 2014September 14, 2014

Random Thoughts–9/2/2014

In modern society we seem to focus way to much on physical appearances and the social status of others. We compare the lives of those we consider celebrities to our own and many desire to be like them. What is wrong with being who you are? God made you as you are and thus you are wonderful. To be honest thee is no difference between any of us and those who have achieved fame, power or wealth. They either lucked out or found a path to their personal dreams. Many of them worked very hard to get where they are, but they are no better or worse than any other human.

Celebrities are wonderful and all, but what we lack are true heroes. We hear about an occasional few when the news media needs a human interest story, but so many are unknown and rarely noticed. What makes one a hero is the courage and determination to do what is right, the ability to transform their love and dedication something that affects the world we live in. No matter how small of an effect or how large, they make a difference.

Some Heroes are just people who chose professions where they can help change the world one mind at a time, like teachers, preachers,social workers, humanitarians and so on. Even policemen, Firemen and some politicians became what they are to help change the world they live in to a better place. There is so many professions one could choose to make a difference and be heroic in life, but it its ones heart that makes them a hero.

So if you are to celebrate a person, to see them as a mentor or role model, chose them by them not by their popularity or by their looks, power or wealth. Select those that stand for a good cause and those whom make a positive impact on the world we live in. Physical Beauty, strength fades in time, riches, social status and power in this world is temporary and tend to be short-lived. Love, act of kindness and a heroic heart not only lasts one a lifetime but it tends to become a part of all those who are influenced and/or affected by one.

One Voice, One person can change the world, for it only takes one spark to start the fire of change.

Ray Barbier

August 31, 2014August 31, 2014

Like seeds, like a virus- Random Thoughts – 8/31/2014

It seems even though humanity has advanced tremendously in the areas of science and technologies, we still seem as children when it comes to mental , spiritual and emotional growth. We still place blame and fault on external forces for the turmoil and destruction that we created ourselves. Blaming and pointing fingers never solves any issue, only enacting change in oneself and inspiring change in those around us is the only way to change the world we live in. Love, peace, understanding and compassion are like seeds, plant them they grow and then they bear fruit and seeds to spread themselves further. But things such as lust , greed and hate are similar they are like a virus, the quickly spread from person to person. The main difference is fruit nourishes the body, mind and soul when a virus corrupts and eats away at the body, mind and soul. We can choose to embrace which ever one we desire, but we must know the cost, consequence and reward of each. Good works will not get us to heaven alone, but they are a part of the journey. They are the path towards being the people who God created us to be. But just as the Bible tells us even the wicked do good things for their loved ones and family, so we must take it further. We must be compassionate, loving and kind people towards all things that live and breathe. Be they friend, family, enemy or undesirables. No man or woman is greater or lesser than another and therefore we should love one another unconditionally and without any hesitation.

The things most seek such as wealth, social status, physical beauty are all fleeting and in time shall be as the dust we came from. So what worth should we put upon such temporary things? On this earth there are many religions and many whom believe not in a God, the gift of freewill 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 different. Be at peace with everyone , even those you see as enemies. The compassion you show others will not be forgotten.

It is time for humanity to wake up from its spiritual sleep and become the great family that God intended it to be.

Ray Barbier

August 15, 2014August 15, 2014

Random thoughts 8-15-2014

Sometimes we seem to forget how wonderful of gift life is, we sometimes take life for granted. Thing about life is for us humans it’s not long nor is it guaranteed to be trouble-free. So we have good days, bad days and sometimes days that are unforgettable. In life we have the blessing of family and good friends, one you can not choose and the other you can not deny. Family is never perfect but you love them and they you in the end. Friends are either close or distant but both are there to help you along in life and there for you to share life with. Eventually from your friends you find a soul mate or partner to go through life with.

All the wonder and imagination we had as children doesn’t go away it just gets toned down or put away as we get older in order to fit in to society. We sacrifice some of the greatest qualities within us to be a part of society unfortunately. We hide them, put them away or tone them down to almost non-existent in order to keep from being a social outcast.

We go from innocent beings of wonder and imagination to beings of order and conformity. We sacrifice that which makes us wonderful in order to gain possessions, fame or at least acceptance by the whole. Individuality is becoming a thing of the past, more and more it seems individuality is labeled as antisocial or undesirable behavior by modern society. The interesting part of this is that most of the men and women that have changed the world through science, invention and ideals were those that society wouldn’t have embraced. They were in one way or another eccentric or nonconformist. Freewill, free thought and the freedom to be ones true self are keys to having a creative and ever-changing society.

one’s life is but a drop of water in the infinite wellspring of time, so be your true self, do not waste time being someone who you are not. Embrace the better qualities within yourself and care not about acceptance or rejection. For acceptance and rejection both are part of life, neither makes any difference to who you are or what you can do.

Live free, live compassionately and do all you do with passion. Be yourself for you are the only person like yourself, a one of a kind.

Ray Barbier

August 7, 2014August 11, 2014

foolishness disguised as principles and pride

I walk the path of life as a believer in Christ, but I do not walk the path of life with hatred or prejudice. I believe in each persons right to believe in whichever God they wish and their right to believe in none. This is called freewill and freedom of thought, no man has a right to take away this from another. We can live in peace and learn to accept the differences in each of our beliefs. I do not see myself as greater nor lesser than any other human being therefore I see all of us as equals.

I also believe wisdom has no preference of where it comes from as long as it is utilized and shared. Great people have had great wisdom from many nationalities, religions,philosophies and genders. To reject wisdom based on its origin is foolishness disguised as principles and/or pride.

I am but a fool who seeks to be wise, yet in all my foolishness, I am wise enough to see I have plenty left to learn and that this journey has just begun. What wisdom I have, I try to share. but I am wise enough to know that I am often wrong. It’s all a part of the learning process within life.

I walk my path as I believe and I do so with an extended hand of friendship to all regardless of any differences that we may have.
Ray Barbier

August 6, 2014August 9, 2014

Random Thoughts–Wednesday Aug 6, 2014

When we are young everything id new and we stand in amazement to all the wonders of the world we live in and experience. Then slowly the world we live in begins to lose its wonder or luster and we become slaves to both what our parents taught us and that which we have learned by experience. Our imagination stays as we age but our ability to play within it is either lost or repressed due to our desire to fit in and be a part of the norm. We slowly put away and suppress the child within us, the part of us that found wonder and excitement within all things around us.

When we suppress the child within us we lock away the side of us that is hopeful, creative and the side that knows how to have fun in life. Out of fear or out of the misguided belief one must kill the child within in order to be civilized and responsible we become not older but emotionally colder. We shut down the unconditional fun-loving heart full child god made us.

Yes we must put away childish things but we do not have to put away the part of the child within us that makes us who we are. Innocence does have to leave us for that is the nature of the world, we do have to be responsible, but this does not mean we can not be loving, caring,curious,creative and fun-loving like we were as children.

It is the child within us that loves life, it is the side that sees life is a blessing and full of wonder and which is thankful for the gift of life. So be the responsible adult who can see the world through a child’s eyes and love life and others through a heart like that of a child’s.

Ray Barbier

July 10, 2014July 10, 2014

Random thoughts–Thursday July 7th 2014

We go through our lives believing it’s the opinion of others that dictates our worth. This is but an illusion, though the opinions of others can either hurt us or bolster our self-image they are not what makes us who we are nor does it set our worth in life. Our worth is based upon our actions, words, thoughts and how we chose to live our life and treat others as well. The opinion that we have about ourselves is far more important and has the greatest impact upon both our self-worth and who we are truly deep within.

It is your life and your life is your own story, you are the lead role and if you’re a hero, villain or just another face in the crowd is decided by your actions, words and thoughts. You are the author of your own story and you alone chose the path you will follow in life. You have the choice to take control of your life or let your life be decided by circumstance and the will of others.

Ray Barbier