Mind – Page 10 – One Lifetime Blog

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 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

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 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 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

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 11, 2014June 11, 2014

Just a fool with his folly

You 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