Creative Commons Attribution – Page 7

March 31, 2023

Will you use those talents or share those words of wisdom with those around you?

When you’re young, most of your focus is on what you wish to see happen in the future for yourself. Youth is one of those things that tends to make you focus more on yourself than community or others. But as you age, you learn that there is more to this world and life than just fulfilling your own dreams and pursuing your own desires. Now that I’m past my midlife age, I think more about what I can do to help others through life and how I can help to improve the world around me and try to leave some sort of legacy to ensure that I left something to be remembered by.

I’m a firm believer that each individual has some unique and special talent or wisdom that can benefit others in one fashion or another. The only question is, will you use those talents or share those words of wisdom with those around you? It doesn’t really matter what kind of talent it is, even if it’s something as simple as you’re good at making kid’s toys or model airplanes. Maybe those might not directly cause any change in the world but, you could sell those toys or model airplanes generate cash, and donate it to a cause or use it for some type of charity.

Let’s say your skill is that you’re very good at custodial duties, you could go to elderly people or handicapped individuals’ residences and clean up for them. If you put your mind to it, you can always find a way of using your talent to help others around you and those in need. When it comes to wisdom or education you can always pass that down to younger generations or help train others to do things and help them learn new ways to cope with issues in their lives.

Let’s say you’re a mathematician you can teach the younger generation and older generations how to balance a checkbook, create a household budget or do their taxes. Let’s say you’re very proficient with legal things maybe not even a lawyer just someone who’s very apt with legal terms and documents and contracts, you can help a lot of elderly people with dealing with things such as Social Security and Medicare and so on.

Of course, these are just suggestions and some of them may not be that realistic but it gives you an idea of the point that I’m trying to make. I myself have a love of writing and by nature, I am a deep thinker a ponderer a philosopher of sorts. When I was a teenager in high school I kind of played a dear Andy to most girls that were my friends and some of my male friends as well, and I always like to ponder on stuff such as the origin of life and had an interest in psychology.

Due to those interests and that love of writing, I decided to start several blogs and post blog articles aimed at helping people deal with emotional and mental issues along with some general blogs dealing with life in a philosophical sort of way. Life is very short, and very precious as we all know, So what time we have on earth we should do what we can to help other people and also try and leave behind some sort of legacy so people know we existed.

We should also try to make this a better place for future generations to enjoy and live in. Though it may be our natural instinct to be focused on our own well-being and our pursuit of our desires, there is also the instinct to be caregivers nurturers, and helpmates to those around us. Which side of our basic nature we choose to embrace is up to the individual, though choosing to be the helpmate, nurturer, and/or caregiver will benefit not only ourselves but those around us as well.

We can always strive to find a balance between the instinct to pursue our goals and desires and the instinct to be a caregiver, help mate, and or nurturer. There is no reason why we can’t take care of ourselves and take care of others at the same time, for if we don’t take care of ourselves first we won’t be around to take care of those which we desire to help. So whatever gifts that you’ve been given in your life far as talent knowledge and skills try to use them not only the further your own goals but to aid those around you that are in need of some sort of assistance.

The more we give back to the community in the end the more we will receive from the community and the community itself will grow and become stronger. Well, that’s enough for me today, I appreciate you reading and I wish everyone a blessed and happy existence on this blue little marble we call home.

Ray Barbier

March 30, 2023

Boosting Your Self-Esteem: Tips for Dealing with Low Self-Esteem

Hey there! Today, I want to talk about something that affects a lot of us: low self-esteem. It’s a tough thing to deal with, but the good news is that there are things you can do to help yourself feel better.

First, it’s important to understand what self-esteem is. Self-esteem is how you feel about yourself and your worth as a person. When you have high self-esteem, you feel good about yourself and believe in your abilities. When you have low self-esteem, you might feel like you’re not good enough or that you don’t deserve good things.

So, what can you do if you’re struggling with low self-esteem? Here are some tips that might help:

Practice self-care: Taking care of yourself is important for your overall well-being. This includes things like eating healthy, getting enough sleep, and exercising regularly. When you take care of your body, you feel better physically and mentally.
Challenge negative thoughts: Sometimes, we can be our own worst critics. If you find yourself thinking negative thoughts about yourself, try to challenge them. Ask yourself if they’re really true or if you’re just being hard on yourself.
Surround yourself with positivity: Surrounding yourself with positive people and things can help boost your self-esteem. Spend time with people who lift you up and make you feel good about yourself. Surround yourself with things that inspire you and make you happy.
Celebrate your accomplishments: When you accomplish something, no matter how small, take the time to celebrate it. Recognize your hard work and give yourself credit for a job well done.
Seek help if you need it: If you’re struggling with low self-esteem and it’s affecting your daily life, consider seeking help from a therapist or counselor. They can help you work through your feelings and develop strategies for improving your self-esteem.

Remember, it’s okay to struggle with low self-esteem. You’re not alone, and there are things you can do to help yourself feel better. Just take it one day at a time and be kind to yourself. You deserve it.

March 29, 2023

Reflection, Retrospect and friends.

They say hindsight is 20/20, looking back on my life I realize I may have not always been the best person I could have been, I had done some of my best friends wrong. Most of the time it was unintentional, neither the less it was still a bad thing. To anyone I may have done wrong in my past, I hope you can forgive this foolish man for his wrongdoings.

Looking back I also realize how some of the smallest things I did do right helped some on their way in life. A few young teens made a successful life out of the technology industry after having a place to tinker around with computers etc. I will not claim any credit other than I gave them a place to sorta grow, it was all their talent and drive that made them the I.T. Specialists they are today.

I am proud of each and every one of them, though some of them have left our friendship in the past, it still makes me proud I had either played a very tiny part in their development or just got to watch them sprout from a seed to a seedling before the went off to become successful.

I too had friends that helped me grow, a few that carried me a long way too when I was down and out. To those people, I send the biggest thank you of all. I just wish I could repay those people, unfortunately financially I am not doing as well as I wish I was and time and distance have caused us all to grow apart.

Even if I never became what I wanted to be, I am proud to have been some tiny part of some people’s starting point. It makes me joyful to see those teens grown up, with a family of their own, and doing so well in life. I wish them a long, happy, and successful future.

Ray Barbier

March 28, 2023March 29, 2023

Random Thoughts 3-28-2023

Thinking back to my years in Jr. high school and high school itself, I can remember all the emotional trauma and mental stress of being a teenager. Back then we did not have the internet, Facebook, Youtube, Instagram, and other social programs, but we still had to deal with bullying, body shaming and stereotyping, and so on.

I can recall kids being picked on if they were too skinny and boney if they were chubby, or if not as developed as most. The way you wore your hair, the clothes you wore, and even the neighborhood you lived in played a part in the whole thing. Girls, I think had it the hardest, if they were late bloomers or plain jane with average looks due to puberty, they suffered attacks from both girls and boys.

Boys dealt with similar, but it was more focused on how cool you appeared, the clothes and car you had, and if you were athletic and or a so-called tough guy. Hormones and social pressures were murder for all of us during those years, even those who were on the cool person’s list had issues to deal with, so easily one could go from cool to the outcast.

Some teachers may have tried to help students deal with issues, but most chose to just keep out of it all, thinking any intervention by a teacher may worsen the situation. Unfortunately, not doing anything only lead to bullying becoming worse since there were very little to no repercussions for such bad behavior. The Bullying issue is something that needs to be addressed at home first, parents need to apply some sort of discipline when it comes to their children being aggressive toward others. Schools and teachers only can do so much and to be honest, it really is not the teacher’s place to discipline someone else’s child. Teachers are there to teach academics and skills to the students, not parent them.

The Shcool though does have the responsibility of keeping each student safe, and reporting any if not all unwanted behavior to the parents. Sometimes The parents are not even aware that their child is being bullied or being a bully in school. So if they do not inform the parent then no sort of corrective action can be taken from the parent’s side. Then there are the very rare cases where parents either do not care or they support their child’s behavior.

So now, not only do kids have to deal with the face-to-face bullying in school but they come home and get bullied online. Cyberbullying is far easier to commit than face-to-face due to the possibility of anonymity and not having to personally face the victim of the bullying. So I believe that has helped in increasing the amount of bullying experienced by kids.

What is the Solution? well, there is no single solution, It will take a whole lot of different policy changes, parental participation, and probably a bit of counseling thrown in. I am not sure what all is needed to be done, that is for the experts to figure out. All I know is that bullying can scar some people for a lifetime, and there is really no reason to allow bullying to continue.

Only if it was like in the comic books, The strong protecting the weak, The wise guiding the people and so on. But life is not a fairy tale or a comic book, so we all have to do what we can to promote better behavior and discourage unwanted behavaior in what ever means we are able. Unfortunately Bullying does not stop in highschool, it carries on into adulthood, and into the real world. You can see it all around, in the work place, in social gatherings and even in politics.

Well thats my Random thoughts for today

Till next time, Be excellent to one another as they said in Bill and Ted.

Ray Barbier

March 2, 2023

Online Families, Real and Important

In this modern age, the old practice of writing letters between penpals has pretty much faded into the anals of history. Now it is all social media, online communities, email, and chat programs. Sometimes you get lucky and find yourself extended family online, and if you are really lucky you will find someone who is like a real family member. Just because you never meet physically does not mean the friendship you built is any less valid or important to you.

I have been fortunate enough to be a part of one such family, I belong to a community on a 3d environment platform called Activeworlds (www.activeworlds.com) and have been building 3d cities and worlds for decades along side some of the most unique individuals I have ever known. Sure the community is like a somewhat dysfunctional family at times but I love everyone there. Even those who probably do not like me very much.

Just like in real life, I have lost quite a few people who were like real family to me, most of them to death a few to circumstances or they just moved on for one reason or another. Each one of them as they left our community took a piece of me and the community with them. Currently, I am praying for a few of those people in Activeworlds that are dealing with some medical issues of their own. I also worry over one or two that decided to either leave the community or just decided to no longer communicate with me.

The point is, does not matter if it is online, or if its in real life. Friends are friends, and they all mean something to your heart and soul. Just don’t forget those friends online are real people and need your support and deserve respect as well. Cherrish them for there is no guarantee of how long any of us are here on this shiny blue marble we call home. That really goes for both online and real-life people, life is short so forgive, forget and embrace those in your life that you have been blessed with to have as family and friends.

Be good to one another, rememebr to be kind and respectful.

Ray Barbier

February 17, 2023February 17, 2023

You, Your Opinions, and Your Voice Matter.

Everyone’s voice is important, every person’s opinion counts in this world. There are many out there that try to make you feel unimportant and insignificant but do not allow them to succeed in doing such things. Learn to speak your mind, but do so with respect for others. If you are the type of person that can not speak up alone, then find like-minded people to help you to get your message and voice heard. As they always say, there is strength in numbers.

Unfortunately, you will occasionally run across bullies in life that want to suppress you out of fear of you and your message and abilities. Most of the time people bully others out of fear of either being bullied themselves or to prevent others from succeeding or surpassing them. But if enough like-minded people join together it becomes harder for the bully to accomplish their goals through intimidation.

Fear can be beneficial, but if you allow it to control you then it is something of a roadblock. Fear is there to prevent you from being seriously harmed by a predator or severe catastrophe. But sometimes we allow fear to keep us from stepping up or speaking up and even worse sometimes we allow our fear to keep us from living and enjoying our lives. So do not let fear control you, speak your mind and live your life to the fullest.

It takes every voice to make a choir sound good, it takes every one of us to make this world better. Many want you to believe that they know what is good for you and that your opinion means nothing. They are not motivated so much by your well-being as much as they are by their greed and lust for power in the end. Sure some may have good intentions but a great number of them are all about being in control and monopolizing wealth.

This is why we need more people to speak up and stand up for all of us, the common people. Write those congressmen/congresswomen and get them to do the job we voted them in to do. They are there to protect and serve us citizens more so than to play to the base of just their political part and spew out rhetoric. We need to also stand up against the powers of big business, big pharma, and their greed.

It is quite disturbing how much more U.S. citizens have to pay for prescription drugs compared to other countries and how many advertisements from pharmaceutical companies we have to endure on television and radio nowadays. They can afford to blast advertisements every 15 minutes on television but yet they claim they have to keep their drug prices high due to research costs. Sounds a bit fishy to me lol.

Well, get out there and let your opinions be known and get your voices heard. Think for yourself and don’t follow anyone or anything blindly.

Ray Barbier

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.

January 30, 2023

Just some thoughts on U.F.O./U.A.P. and E.T.s

I always thought as a child that there was more out in the universe than just us humans far as life is concerned. I was an avid believer in UFOs / UAPs as well as a child. As I grew older I of course kind of put away such things as believing in little green men or at least I stopped thinking about that subject. Now as I am getting up in age my mind has begun contemplating the idea once again.

My way of looking at it is that with such a vast universe, having only 1 small blue planet with sentient life would be such a waste of space, and also believing we are the only intelligent life forms in the said universe is a tad bit arrogant. Far as the ancient alien theory goes, I do not totally subscribe to the notion that humans are so helpless they could not build anything on a grand scale like the pyramids. There is no reason for me to believe that we required help from some extraterrestrial source to build or achieve what we had in history.

I can not rule out the possibility that there was some influence or help from an extraterrestrial race, but I have not seen anything that proves to me that there was at this time. Sure some of the things humans have done in the past can be a bit perplexing due to the known technology that ancient people possessed during the time of such megalithic builds like the Egyptian pyramids. I believe we do not possess all the knowledge of what technologies and techniques the ancient humans may have had, I believe we just have a general idea of what they may have had.

I believe as we discover new technology and further our scientific knowledge we may discover how humans achieved what they did back in history. We also may discover life outside of our solar system and maybe even outside our spiral galaxy. Some want to think if there are other living beings out there in the universe that somehow would cause conflict with the religious community and their belief systems.

From one Christian’s point of view, I have not found anywhere in the bible where it says that there are no others in the universe, nor have I found where it had anything in it saying that there are others either. I just do not see what difference it would make if God were to have more than just one planet he created life on. Some may disagree with my opinion concerning this, but I still feel it is quite arrogant to think we are the only ones in the universe.

Now that the U.S. Government released videos containing what they call UAPs, it at least gives some credibility to the subject. You tie that together with the privatization of space exploration, we may see more money being available for scientific research of UFOs/UAPs and related subjects. Maybe the age-old stigma associated with UFO sightings and so on will be finally put behind us.

There are so many possibilities for the origins of the UAPs in the Videos released to the public. They could be extraterrestrial, Interdimensional, time travelers, or possibly even from earth. Experimental technologies of one nation or another, that either our government wishes not to disclose or is not yet aware of. The origin and purpose of the UAPs has yet to be determined or yet to be revealed to the public. One last possibility is that it is no more than a missinformation camaign by our governmet.

Just some thoughts on the subject from a average person, and just what was on my mind at the time.

Blessings and peace to all

Ray Barbier