Creative Commons licenses – Page 3

October 14, 2014October 14, 2014

keep our hands on the rudder and learn to live in the here and now.

There are times when I feel like I’m on a boat floating down a turbulent stream. The Present rapidly turning into the past and the future always being the present. By the time I get a chance to glance at the shore line beside me it’s already behind me and what is ahead goes by me too fast for me to enjoy. We travel through time in one direction and at a pretty good speed. Though it may seem too fast at times I have learned to cherish the moment at hand far more than the moments gone or yet to be had.

There are times I look backward too long and miss the present and I find myself missing the wondrous things the present had in store for me. Other times I had looked too far ahead and found my course had been altered by the streams current. I have learned to cherish the moment at hand and focus on today and keep my hand on the rudder at all times. I no longer linger in the past nor do I worry about the future like I used to. I still plan for the future and remember the lessons of the past though. I just don’t let them get in the way of living my life or experiencing the here and now.

We all are time travelers, Traveling through the present into the future at a pretty good pace. We must keep our hands on the rudder and learn to live in the here and now. Worry not about the future it will become what we make of it in the present and worry not of the past for it has long been gone.

Raymond Barbier

September 22, 2014September 22, 2014

get caught at the crossroads

With each day that dawns a new adventure begins, the lifelong journey continues as we open our eyes. our mind and souls full or battle scars and the memories of those we have met along the way. The many triumphs and failures we have experienced along the way helped sculpt us into who we are today. Some of us learn from our experiences and move forward and others get caught at the crossroads living in their past mistakes.

We must focus on the path immediately in front of us not the path behind us nor too far ahead. We must live in the now, the past is gone and the future has not yet come to pass. We should learn by our past mistakes, grieve over them as we commit them and let them go.We should plan for the future but focus on the present. If we focus too much on the future we become blind to the gifts and wonders before us in the present.

With each days close we approach our time to rest and to reflect upon the day we just lived. Our adventures and our journey comes to a temporary stop. We now rest till the next day and adventure begins.

Raymond Barbier

August 30, 2014August 31, 2014

Fear, faith and hope–random thoughts 8-30-2014

There are those that seek to control others with fear, they for some reason believe that instilling fear in others gives them power. The thing with fear is one can overcome it, learn to channel it and also learn to let it pass through them. The bible teaches us the only one and or thing we must fear is God. No man nor woman can destroy that which god has given you unless it be his will. So learn to replace the fear that other humans try to instill within you with faith in God and his promises. Whom shall you believe and whom shall you fear is solely your decision, God gave us that power when he gave all of us freewill.

Only God can take away your immortal soul, he is the only one that can give you access to heaven or deny you entrance as well. No man can take away the treasures you stow away in heaven, all a man or woman can do is take away the things of this earth. All things on and in this earth are temporary and no one or thing that is of this earth shall remain past their time allotted by God. So worry little over matters of the world and be as God desires, loving , forgiving and good examples of the children of God we have been created to be.

Fear has no power when confronted with Faith and Hope.

Ray Barbier

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution By license.

June 27, 2014June 27, 2014

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

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

June 24, 2014June 24, 2014

Random Thoughts- Tue 6/24/14

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.

June 17, 2014June 17, 2014

Radom Thoughts on Tuesday 6/17/2014

Anything 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.

June 17, 2014June 17, 2014

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

In 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.

June 12, 2014June 12, 2014

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!

June 11, 2014June 11, 2014

Random Thoughts – Wednesday 6-11-2014

Each morning I awake is but another chance to change myself, my surroundings and the world I live in. The question is, am I going to make any changes in my life and/or world or am I going to remain just an observer of my life. Inactivity and lack of motivation in one’s life leaves them stagnant and without any inner growth. The comfort zone we tend to enjoy is but an obstacle in the way of our self-development. Though we tend to believe other people affect our moods, metal state and the outcome of our day the truth is they only can if we allow them too. For we are solely responsible and able to enact change within ourselves. We can be influenced by outside sources but only if we choose to allow such.

Sometimes I think we all spend too much time worrying about what others think about us and not enough about what we think about ourselves. How and what we think about ourselves is what shapes our lives and is also is one of the driving forces behind shaping our ever-changing future. So will you choose to stay in your comfort zone watching your life pass you by and rely on the opinions of others to define who you are or will you take the reins and make changes in your life? The choice has always been your own far as how you live and how you feel. The future is yours to make and yours to master.

You are the Navigator or your own life, never allow others to change your course without deep examination of their motivation and the destination.

Ray Barbier

June 4, 2014June 4, 2014

Without the initial spark we will never see a flame.

Once I had a person say they wished they could change the world, though that is an admirable goal it is one most would find impossible to carry out. Though it seems like something that is near impossible there is always a possibility one person can change the world or at least the way the world thinks. We have seen in history great statesman, politicians , religious leaders and visionaries make considerable changes in the world and in the minds of the people.

One voice can make a difference, all change starts within ourselves and then it radiates outward towards all around us. How we act, react and what we say has a large impact on our world even if it’s in a small way or localized area. If that one voice inspires others to join in then change begins to expand and can enact a change globally.

In a nut shell it takes someone to start a movement for change in order for change to come about. Without the initial spark we will never see a flame. Become what you believe we all should be like, live by example and then others will follow suit. To preach of a peaceful world or life but be in turmoil yourself is self-defeating. Lead and live by example and make change happen if not in the world at least in your part of it. Be an agent of change and not an inactive bystander in life.