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


The Virgin River Narrows

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

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foolishness disguised as principles and pride


IMG_1371I 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

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Random Thoughts–Wednesday Aug 6, 2014


002When 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

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Random thoughts–Thursday July 7th 2014


warp1bWe 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

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I write because I love to, I write because that is who I am.


DSC_0335  Why do I write? hmmmm…. Well I write for many reasons including to inspire independent thought, to share the message of peace, love and understanding to the world, to express my inner self, to soul search and to bring about change in myself as well as others and last but not least to spread the word of God.  I am not a typical Christian author nor am I a closed-minded person. I do not judge anyone one way or another for I do not see that as my job nor my place in the world. I try to convey the message of being unconditional in the sharing of love and in forgiveness.  Sometimes I write just so I can be, it seems writing to me is one facet of the many that is my existence.

Sometimes I write well, others times I do not. I write what I feel and think with no hesitation. I don’t claim to be right nor do I claim to know what I am talking about. I just claim that what I write is how I see the world as well as what I think about it all.  I welcome all comments even those that challenge my point  of view or my beliefs. I also am open to new ideas and philosophies.

I write because I love to, I write because that is who I am.

Ray Barbier

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Random Thoughts- Tue 6/24/14


022 Humanity’s greatest enemies are fear, hatred, greed,selfishness and apathy.  Each of them pose an equal threat alone and a far greater threat if combined. Unfortunately usually where one of them appear the rest will arrive shortly after.  We should not allow ourselves to fall prey to those weaknesses within ourselves. No one is immune nor is there anyone whom hasn’t experienced one if not all of those terrible attributes of being human.

Being they are a part of human nature we may not eradicate them from our world or species, but we can keep them in check with such things as wisdom, compassion, understanding and unconditional love.  To change the world one must start with changing themselves. Those things that threaten humanity’s survival and peace are found in each and every one of us. But so are the things that make our survival. Within each of us there is the potential for great good as well as great evil.

Where humanity goes and if we as a species will survive and thrive is solely up to each of us individually as well as a whole. Change within ourselves is the first step and to bring about change in the world as a whole is the next step. We must learn to live with one another and embrace each others differences be they cultural, physical, spiritual or just philosophical in nature. Once we accept and embrace the truth that each person is unique and has the right to be an individual in thought as well as in belief then change will begin on a global scale. But we must always embrace compassion, love and understanding in order bring about a truly positive change as well as embrace the spirit of coöperation.

 

If we all focus on the important goal of species survival and learn to achieve such through peace and coöperation then humanity would become an unstoppable force for good.

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Radom Thoughts on Tuesday 6/17/2014


016Anything and almost everything worthwhile takes time and effort to obtain. There is no such thing as a quick fix or at least one that is permanent or truly effective.  When it comes to life we seems to seek out the easiest path to follow and leave ourselves wondering why our life isn’t how we want it to be. Well taking the path of least resistance usually leaves one wanting and lacking in their life.  The reason we wind up wanting or lacking is we were being followers and being such we were left the crumbs left behind by those ahead of us.

To follow is fine if you don’t mind being left behind or constantly changing direction every time a leader does or a new leader comes by.  It’s best to lead your own life, we are meant to be our own navigators in life. Plus if you are going to pay for mistakes or reap rewards from them, wouldn’t you rather do so because you chose the path that lead you there and not because you followed someone blindly out of convenience?

Don’t get me wrong there will be times you will follow because you happen to share the same path, just never follow blindly, always be aware of the course as well as the destination. Take charge of your own life and take responsibility for the choices you make. And always remember nothing is for free, there is always a price to pay and that even if you follow you are responsible for the path your taking.

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


002In this modern world there seem to be way too many distractions and things that overload our minds. So much to distract us from what is truly important to us and keep our minds focused away from what needs to be done.  We allow such things as television, radio and even our jobs to either distract us or get in the way of quality time with our family and friends. So easy to just zone out and watch a TV show or play a computer game and ignore things needed to get done. So easy to ignore everyone around us whom need our attention, affection and companionship.

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

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

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do something kind for someone


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

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Just a fool with his folly


p03You can call me a dreamer, an occasionally and accidental visionary or just a fool with his folly. I’m just a silly old man with a dream of a better world or at least a better way of living in it. I may be wrong often and right on a rare occasion but at least I dare to dream and to express what is within my heart and soul. I ponder on old ideas that at times seem new and new ideas that came from old ones. I claim nothing other than I am a man and a dreamer.

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

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

Ray Barbier

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