Compassion – Page 3 – One Lifetime Blog

December 28, 2014December 28, 2014

Random Thoughts 12/28/2014

In life we walk around looking for happiness, harmony and acceptance. We seek these things in the eyes, hearts and arms of others. The truth is even though others can enhance your happiness they can not create it. Happiness is something that you must create and claim on your own. If you go through life waiting for a hero or heroine to come and save the day then you are bound to be repeatedly disappointed unless of course you realize that hero or heroine is you.

Stop looking for an external source to your happiness and start building a better you within your own mind and heart. First one must learn to love and accept themselves before they can truly learn to love and accept others. In the same thought one may even say you must learn to love yourself before you can fully learn how to appreciate and accept the love of others. All change starts within as so does all happiness, without an inner sense of love, happiness and a sense of ones true self it is difficult to be happy.

Of course some say you can have a selfish love of sorts, but love in nature isnt selfish. So we would say that what they refer to selfish love is some form of greed or lust than a form of love.. Within you is the potential of such great love and compassion.

Love is something we give and if we are fortunate we will receive in return
Ray Barbier

December 14, 2014December 14, 2014

Random Thoughts:12-14-2014

When we are young we rarely think of death, we lack the fear of death and the we don’t understand the fact life is fleeting and temporary. That innocence we had as children made life so wonderful and free, unfortunately as we grow older we experience the loss of friends, family and others around us. Slowly the reality of our mortality sinks in and bit by bit our innocence disappears. Instead of owning both our life and our eventual end we tend to slowly give in to fear. That fear strips us of our happiness and steals the time we are supposed to enjoy living.

Life is not supposed to be all about fearing its end, its supposed to be about living in the moment and enjoying the precious time we have with those whom we love and enjoy being with. Being our life is so short , we should try to be loving, caring and compassionate beings and learn to love and forgive one another unconditionally.

Unfortunately there is always great injustice in this world as well as inequality. Though a lot of that is beyond our control , but a good part of it is within our own hands to change. If each one of us lived our lives respecting one another and embracing one another as unique individuals and equals then a good part of what ails society would be diminished. There will always be problems to face in this world be it on the street or in the high offices of government. This will not change until the heart of humanity changes within its self.

To end todays Random Thoughts I will leave you with a quote from a popular song that rings true in my heart at least.

He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother– The Hollies (1969)

November 30, 2014November 30, 2014

Random Thoughts–11/30/2014

Sometimes I wonder when we as a society went from being content with the wonderful things we have been blessed with to being envious of what others may have better than us. We have become a society driven by personal possessions and social status and that is not a positive thing. When we begin to value inanimate objects above the wellbeing and lives of other people we have lost the precious attributes that make us human.

No amount of money,gold or precious stones are worth more than the life of a human being. No difference of opinion, differences in religious beliefs or political party should be more important than the life of any human. Sure we need to hash out those differences or learn to accept that not every person will believe or think the same. We should have respect for another persons right to be an individual and their right to believe and think as they desire.

We need to return to a path of respect, compassion and of tolerance. Humanity has enough challenges to face in the present and future. We should be civilized and mature enough to see beyond such things as racism, elitism and intolerance. Fear and hate has too much power in our modern world and it shouldn’t. It is shameful that as old as the human race is that we still fall prey to emotions that are primitive. Still amazing how quick we give in to our negative emotions and how hard it seems for us to embrace the more positive ones such as compassion, love and empathy.

November 29, 2014November 29, 2014

I still try to be a happy, caring and friendly guy.

It seems as I get older I allow more things to bother me and let things stress me out more than when I was young anyway. When I was young I was one of those easy-going not so popular kids that was just there. I cared more about respect and fairness than I did popularity or even my safety on some occasions. I was just one of those kids you barely remember or don’t even recall.

It is ok many don’t remember me or just don’t care to, there are a select few whom were my real friends and they remember me well as I do them. It isn’t about popularity or what opinions others have of me, it is more about being true to who I am and doing what I believe is in the good and right. To live by my own convictions, to accept others and myself as we are along with all our wonderful qualities along with all of our shortcomings.

Though I am a little less happy-go-lucky, I still try to be a happy, caring and friendly guy. Still I am not that memorable but I am who I chose to be and that is all I can ask for. Be true to yourself, be true to what you believe and carry a compassion heart my friends. Be who you truly want to be for life is short and a one time ride.

Ray Barbier

November 16, 2014November 16, 2014

Focus on what we should be doing

Compassion, Kindness and empathy all derivatives of love. Why should we express such emotions within our daily lives? I have had a few friends say “why should I help someone else, no one ever helped me”, well probably someone has but they chose to forget, but most importantly it’s that attitude that caused them to have to suffer life without help. It is giving in to such ideals that has diminished the amount of people who are compassionate and that are willing to reach out to help others. We must get over what others are or are not doing and focus on what we should be doing in our lives.

It is hard to let go of pain and the feeling of being alone in life, but that said one must think about others who feel alone and helpless as well. Reach out your hand to help another lonely or lost soul and you may find it is a mutually beneficial act. By being there for the other person you take away the feeling of being alone from them as well as for yourself. If we are alone it’s either because we chose to be such or that another person chose not to reach out. So reach out to others and accept the hands reached out to help you.

Once we learn to put aside our fear and pride we will be able to be a more productive and benevolent society. The first step is having the courage to open yourself up to being helped and to helping others.

Ray Barbier.

October 23, 2014October 23, 2014

Random Thoughts on 10/22/2014

We face so many trials in life and many pitfalls fill our path in life. The modern world is good at distracting us, it keeps our minds so full of random information and it fills our eyes with intense stimuli. All this to keep us from being focused on the real issues before us and to keep us too busy to notice what is really going on around us. Seems we rather look at the pretty lights sometimes than to see the problems right in front of us. Sometimes we ignore the problems in hopes that they will go away or fix themselves. Well unfortunately they don’t fix themselves or go away they either turn into different problems or they remain a problem.

We must face our problems be they personal, community or global in nature. We need to focus more on life than on the distractions this world throws at us. All life has value, we all are unique and important and we all play a part in this world if we want to accept it or not. No ones voice is less important nor is anyone’s voice more important than another’s. We all have emotions, thought and are a part of the tapestry that is life. The illusion of superiority or inferiority are but stumbling blocks on our path to spiritual growth.

Between distractions of the modern world, fear and our illusive belief in that individuals have different levels of worth in life, we have been blinded to the truth. We fall prey to being judgmental and accepting the judgments of our peers. We do not need to judge one another, we are here to have fellowship, companionship and aid one another through life. We all have shortcomings and we all also have good points as well as blessings. No one is different in that respect, we all face life and its roller coaster of change and unexpected events.

Such old adages as Know thyself and to one’s self be true are concepts that still ring true in the modern world. I say be yourself and love who you are, love others without judgment and be true to yourself and to others. Honesty and compassion are both good qualities found in humanity and are cornerstones to a better society.

Well enough of my totally random thoughts for today, God bless and may you find happiness within who and what you are.

Ray Barbier

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

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 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.