Tag: Mind

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Some Thoughts on life and being yourself


As we age, we may experience the loss of loved ones and our social circle may shrink. It can be challenging to find and maintain friendships. However, it is important to remember that life is no more complicated than it was when we were children. We just have more self-imposed rules and knowledge of how things appear to work.

Many of us stop having fun and being silly due to our fear of being judged by society. Age sometimes brings fear instead of wisdom, and that is something we all have to deal with to one degree or another. We learn to fear the judgment of others through our youth, we reign in parts of our personality in order to conform to what society dictates as normal or we follow the behavior patterns of those who appear popular in hopes of being popular ourselves.

However, as we age, we may get over wanting to be popular, but a good portion of us still crave to be accepted and liked. If we are fortunate, we may have grown wise enough to realize it is far better to be liked and accepted for who we truly are than to be behind a mask or playing a role. The thing is, we may not always be accepted by all. But we will always find a group of people who will like us and accept us regardless of whether we fit in society’s dictation of what is normal or popular or not.

The phrase “Be yourself” is an old but true adage that should be adhered to in life. Each one of us is unique, and those differences are what makes humanity capable of achieving such great things. To suppress the uniqueness within yourself is to hinder yourself from growing and moving forward in life. If you feel like you don’t know who you are, try thinking about what you like and dislike doing when you’re alone. The things you do or don’t do when no one is looking are the basics of who you are.

The key to showing that person off to others is to be okay with the fact that some people aren’t going to like it or understand it. Essentially, we hide our personalities because we’re fearful of others mocking us for it. We don’t want to be judged harshly. But the thing is, that doesn’t have to stop you from feeling good about who you are. That’s essentially what the people around you that you feel a need to impress are doing.

So if they can do it, why can’t you do it too? So what if you don’t live up to society’s expectations and do what everyone else is doing. It’s better than living a life that isn’t true to who you are and makes you unhappy. Be inspired and motivated to be true to the person you know yourself to be.

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Ray Barbier

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The Importance of Respectful Dialogue both online and offline.


When we treat others as if they are inferior to us intellectually, socially, and/or financially, we not only harm their self-worth but also risk being viewed negatively by others. In the heat of a debate, we often forget about the feelings of others and overlook the possibility that we could be the one on the wrong side of the argument or possibly less informed than we first believed.

It is important to remember that being right in an argument is not as important as preserving the feelings of others and maintaining healthy relationships. Many times, both sides are right on many aspects of the side they argue and wrong on other points. The argument is about opposing views and what both sides perceive as facts and truths. However, it is important to recognize that many times, the sources of these facts and supposed truths may be suspect if not unreliable.

Furthermore, some arguments wind up being more about personal beliefs and opinions than facts. It is important to recognize when this is the case and to approach such arguments with an open mind and a willingness to listen to other perspectives.

In today’s world, where social media has become a primary source of information for many people, it is more important than ever to be mindful of how we interact with others online. The anonymity provided by social media can make it easy to forget that there are real people behind the screens. It is crucial that we treat others with respect and kindness, even when we disagree with them.

One way to do this is by practicing active listening. This means taking the time to truly understand the other person’s perspective before responding. It also means acknowledging their feelings and validating their experiences. By doing so, we can create a safe space for open dialogue and healthy debate.

Another way to promote healthy debate is by fact-checking our sources before sharing information online. With so much misinformation circulating on social media, it is important to verify the accuracy of our sources before sharing them with others. This can help prevent the spread of false information and promote healthy debate based on facts.

In conclusion, treating others with respect and kindness is crucial in promoting healthy debate and maintaining healthy relationships. By practicing active listening and fact-checking our sources, we can create a safe space for open dialogue and promote healthy debate based on facts.

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Balance and Harmony in Life: Why It Matters and How to Achieve It


Hello, dear readers. Today I want to share with you some thoughts on how to find balance and harmony in life. This is something that I have been striving for in my own journey, and I believe it is very important for everyone.

Why is finding balance and harmony in life important? Well, first of all, it is not only a personal goal, but also a social responsibility. We live in a world of division, separation, and conflict, where we tend to judge and exclude others based on their differences. This creates disharmony and imbalance in ourselves and in our society. We need to overcome our prejudices, biases, and fears, and learn to respect and embrace the diversity and dignity of all living beings. We need to realize that we are all connected and interdependent and that what we do to others, we do to ourselves.

Secondly, finding balance and harmony in life is also a spiritual journey, where we discover our true nature and purpose. We are not just physical beings, but also mental, emotional, and spiritual beings. We have a soul that transcends our body and mind and connects us to a higher power and a higher reality. We need to align our thoughts, feelings, and actions with our soul’s guidance, and follow our inner voice of wisdom and love. We need to cultivate virtues such as compassion, kindness, gratitude, forgiveness, and generosity, and express them in our daily lives.

Thirdly, finding balance and harmony in life is not easy or simple. It requires constant effort, awareness, and adaptation. It also requires humility, curiosity, and openness. However, finding balance and harmony in life is rewarding, fulfilling, and meaningful. It can help us achieve well-being and happiness for ourselves and others. It can help us create a better world for ourselves and future generations.

So how can we find balance and harmony in life? Well, there is no one answer or formula for this. Each one of us has to find our own way of living in balance and harmony with ourselves, others, nature, and the divine. However, there are some general principles that can guide us along the way. Here are some of them:

  • Be mindful of your thoughts, emotions, and actions. Observe them without judgment or attachment. Notice how they affect you and others.
  • Be aware of your needs and desires. Fulfill them in healthy and constructive ways. Avoid excesses or deficiencies that can harm you or others.
  • Be flexible and adaptable. Accept changes as opportunities for growth. Learn from your mistakes and challenges.
  • Be respectful and compassionate. Treat others as you would like to be treated. Recognize the value and beauty of every living being.
  • Be grateful and generous. Appreciate what you have and what you receive. Share what you can with those who need it.
  • Be creative and playful. Express yourself in authentic and joyful ways. Enjoy the present moment.
  • Be connected and inspired. Seek guidance from your inner voice or higher power. Follow your passion and purpose.

These are some of the ways that I try to find balance and harmony in life. I hope they can inspire you as well. Remember that finding balance and harmony in life is not a destination, but a journey. A journey that we can embark on together.

Thank you for reading this blog post. I would love to hear your thoughts on this topic. Please leave a comment below.

Until next time,

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Ray Barbier

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Finding Balance, Helping Others, and Being Humble: A Guide to Living a Meaningful Life


We often fall into a trap of negativity, a mental state of being pessimistic and hopeless. We see the world and our life through a filter of fear, anger, and confusion instead of embracing the reality and beauty of our existence. We let things like personal issues, low self-esteem, greed, circumstances, and our ego interfere with our creativity and purpose in life.

Holding on to resentment, and choosing hate, fear or uncertainty only wastes the energy we could use to improve our lives and the lives of others. Changing our perspective from just serving our own desires and needs to a balanced approach of caring for other people’s needs and our own needs and desires. Of course, the ideal path of total selflessness and humility would be the best path to follow, but for most of us out there the balanced path would probably benefit both ourselves and others the most.

Reaching a balance between the needs of others and our needs and wants is not an easy task, but it is a rewarding one. It requires us to be mindful of how our actions and choices affect not only ourselves but also those around us. It also requires us to be compassionate and empathetic and to understand and respect the feelings and perspectives of others. It does not mean that we have to sacrifice our own happiness or well-being, but that we have to share it with others. By doing so, we can create a more harmonious and peaceful world, where everyone can enjoy the gifts of life.

Helping others and being humble are two virtues that can enrich our lives and make us happier. When we help others, we not only make a positive difference in their lives but also in our own. We feel a sense of satisfaction, gratitude, and joy that comes from being of service to others. We also learn from their experiences, perspectives, and wisdom. Being humble means that we acknowledge our limitations, mistakes, and flaws and that we are open to learning, growing, and improving ourselves. It also means that we appreciate our strengths, talents, and achievements, but without being arrogant, boastful, or selfish. Being humble helps us to be more respectful, honest, and compassionate towards ourselves and others.

In conclusion, we have discussed how to overcome negativity, find balance, help others, and be humble. These are some of the ways that we can live a more fulfilling and meaningful life. We can also inspire others to do the same and create a ripple effect of positive change in the world. We are all connected, and we all have a purpose. We are all one lifetime, and we should make the most of it. Thank you for reading and have a blessed day.

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Ray Barbier

Some Related links you may find useful

10 Ways To Help Others That Will Lead You To Success – Forbes: This article suggests some ways to share your knowledge, resources, and opportunities with others and how they can benefit you as well.

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Living Authentically: How to Be True to Yourself


Words are powerful. They have the ability to convey thoughts and feelings and bring ideas to life. But words alone are not enough. To truly bring them to life, we must live by them. We must act on our good ideas and live by wise words, not just read them and cast them aside.

Simple sayings like the golden rule should be a part of our being, not just a phrase we spout when it’s convenient. Too many people claim to be one thing while acting the opposite. Hypocrisy is rampant in politics, religion, and society as a whole.

We are all guilty of hypocrisy at some point in our lives. But if we want to live an honest and authentic life, we must be true to ourselves and others. We must stop deceiving ourselves and others and be open about who we are.

Words are indeed powerful and can convey thoughts and feelings and bring ideas to life. However, words alone are not enough. To truly bring them to life, we must live by them. We must act on our good ideas and live by wise words, not just read them and cast them aside.

To live by your words and be true to yourself, you need to take responsibility for your own happiness. You also need to be honest with yourself and let your heart speak (not just your head). You should remove negative influences and spend time alone with yourself (stop avoiding yourself). Stop trying to be what others expect you to be and choose authenticity over popularity. Learn how and when to say “No”.

Here are some more tips on how to live life by staying true to yourself :

  • Be confident in doing what you love and what makes you happy without fearing judgment from others.
  • Realize that you are enough and you are important.
  • Surround yourself with authentic people who support you in your journey.
  • Live according to the values and beliefs that you hold most dear.
  • Commit to living and working according to your core values.

In the end, our true selves will be revealed to those around us. So let’s live by our words and be true to ourselves.

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Ray Barbier

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Respect, dignity and the Elderly.


Respecting and appreciating others for who they are and what they mean to us is a valuable lesson for everyone. Many people struggle with feeling invisible or insignificant, which can damage their self-confidence and mental well-being. This is especially true for the young and the old, who often face more challenges and discrimination in life. Whether it’s because of legal restrictions, health issues, or generational gaps, they may feel powerless or unwanted by society.

We are all important and worthy of recognition in this world. We all deserve to be loved, to love, and to live with dignity. Sadly, this world is full of division, injustice, and very unequal distribution of power and wealth. Those who have plenty seem to be blind to the suffering of those who have nothing, fear and greed keep it that way, sadly.

Recently, the government has taken some steps to provide financial assistance to children and reduce child poverty, which is a positive sign of their commitment to improving children’s well-being. However, the elderly population seems to be under constant attack by some in Congress due to their views on Entitlement programs such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.

How come the spending cuts always target the programs that are meant to help the most vulnerable and needy members of our society and those who cannot fend for themselves? The older generation is the one that contributed their taxes throughout their careers, elected most of those in office, created the technology we use today, and shaped this great nation we live in. They deserve more respect than they are getting from those in power.

I urge the young to remember that you will one day grow old and need or want some of the benefits that some in Congress want to reduce or eliminate. The elderly are your parents and grandparents too. Not everyone has the same chance to prepare for retirement due to low income and factors beyond their control. The elderly deserve to be honored, appreciated, and respected not only for the work they have done but for the wisdom and knowledge they have to offer to others.

Respecting and caring for the elderly is a common theme in almost every religion, and different religions have their own views on how to do so. Some of these views are as follows:

Christians believe that God commands them to honor their parents and to care for the elderly with gratitude and love. They follow the example of Jesus, who was compassionate to the elderly and gave his mother to his disciple John before he died on the cross.

Muslims respect and honor the elderly for their contributions and sacrifices to society. They have a duty to care for their parents and to show mercy and compassion to the elderly. They look up to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) who established Islam at an old age and honored his elderly companions.

Hindus revere the elderly as venerable and worthy of respect. They think that caring for the elderly is a sacred duty and a way of repaying the debt to their ancestors. They also think that the elderly have spiritual knowledge and experience that can guide the younger generations. They follow a four-stage model of life, in which the last stage is renunciation, where one detaches from worldly affairs and devotes oneself to God.

Buddhists value the elderly as teachers and role models of the Buddhist path. They think that caring for the elderly is a way of practicing compassion and generosity, two of the main virtues in Buddhism. They also think that the elderly have insight and wisdom through their life experiences and can help others overcome suffering. They follow a five-precept code of ethics, which includes respecting life, property, speech, sexuality, and mind.

Jews honor the elderly as bearers of tradition and heritage. They think that caring for the elderly is a mitzvah (commandment) and a form of honoring God. They also think that the elderly have a special connection with God and can offer blessings and prayers for others. They follow the Torah (law) as their guide for life, which includes many rules and rituals regarding respect for parents, elders, and teachers.

These are some of the teachings and views of the major religions of the world on caring for the elderly. They show that the elderly have a special status and a right to be treated with respect, dignity, and kindness. They also show that caring for the elderly is a way of expressing one’s faith, values, and gratitude. By learning from these teachings and views, we can appreciate the diversity and richness of the world’s religions and cultures, and we can also improve our own attitudes and behaviors toward the elderly.

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Ray Barbier

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Mental Health Problems: A Growing Concern for School-Age Kids


Mental health and high school-aged children have been a hot topic in the news lately. Some say that mental health issues have risen in recent years, while others think that we are just more aware and attentive to our children’s emotional and mental well-being. Either way, the study reveals that girls are twice as likely as boys to struggle with emotional and mental issues in high school.

When I think back to my teenage years, I remember that girls faced more body shaming than boys, and they had to deal with it from both genders, while boys mostly got it from other boys. This could be one of the reasons why female students have higher rates of emotional and mental health issues.

I also remember that bullying, body shaming, and social exclusion started as early as elementary school. So mental health issues could begin in elementary or middle school. School years can be very hard for some people to get through. If you don’t fit in with a certain look, clothes, personality, or economic status, you can be either rejected or ignored by your peers.

Teenagers face more emotional and mental challenges than ever before, partly because of the social media platforms that enable their peers to bully them in new ways. Some children lack empathy and think bullying is cool or fun, and they inflict a lot of harm on the mental health of the rest of the school-age population. Bullying seems to be a problem that has existed for as long as humans walked this earth. And it is something we need to address, especially in our kids.

Instead of judging a bully harshly, we should try to understand the root causes of their behavior. They might be struggling with mental health problems or a difficult family situation. We should intervene early and offer support to the children who bully others and their families. This way, we can prevent a lot of the harm that bullying causes to everyone involved.

Schools and communities should provide free mental health services. Parents and teachers should be trained to deal with mental health issues and bullying. We should end the stigma around mental health and raise awareness about its significance. This could help prevent future tragedies such as mass shootings and violent crimes caused by mental health problems.

Nothing matters more than our children and their future. We have a duty to do everything in our power to ensure they thrive physically and mentally. They are the future leaders and innovators of the world and we must equip them with the skills and help they need to succeed. We owe them nothing less than a healthy and happy life.

In conclusion, our children are our most valuable asset and we have a moral obligation to ensure their well-being. We cannot afford to ignore the physical and mental health challenges they face in this complex and uncertain world. We must take action and demand better policies and resources from our government to support them. We must also provide them with the love and care they need at home and in the community. Our children are the future and they deserve nothing less than our best efforts. Let’s make it happen.

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Ray Barbier

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The Journey to Self Improvement.


I fight the inner demon of despair that haunts me every day. It feeds on the hurtful echoes of past hurts that scarred me deeply. I struggle to apply reason and logic to deal with the messy and twisted memories of the past that torment me. My self-image and self-esteem are often assaulted by self-hatred that comes from the circumstances and judgments of others in my past that made me feel unworthy and inadequate.

I wonder how I allowed such a strong enemy to enter my mind and take over my emotions and self-worth. How did I let it convince me that I am not good enough or deserving of happiness? I have achieved some goals in managing that darker side of myself, but I still have a long and hard journey ahead to find peace with myself and who I am. I still have to overcome many obstacles and challenges that test my resilience and courage.

I have to face it every day and every step until I can finally bury it for good. Each negative thought I have to challenge and scrutinize with courage, bringing out the truth and showing that most of those negative thoughts are false and have no proof to support them. I have to expose the lies and distortions that the inner demon tries to make me believe.

I am not faultless, but I am not a bad person either. I have to recognize my faults but also celebrate my good qualities. I have to acknowledge my mistakes but also learn from them. I have to remember that I am not alone in facing such things, almost everyone has that darker side trying to pull them down. But I also have a brighter side that shines with hope and kindness.

I embrace the opportunities I have to grow within myself, and I feel hopeful and optimistic because of the love of my friends and the tools I have acquired to handle that part of me. The key is to maintain a positive outlook and to appreciate the people who are with me in my journey of life. I have been overcoming this for a long time, and even though I have faced some difficulties, I have also achieved many successes.

Be Kind to yourself and others, and seek that which heals and creates while avoiding that which destroys.

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Ray Barbier

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Don’t Be Cruel to Others, Be Kind and Compassionate


We all have a choice in how we treat others. We can be kind and compassionate, or we can be cruel and mean. The way we treat others reflects the way we feel about ourselves. If we are happy and confident, we will spread joy and love. If we are unhappy and insecure, we will spread misery and hate.

Some people choose to be cruel to others because they enjoy seeing them suffer. They may laugh at their pain, mock their weakness, or even hurt them on purpose. These people are called sadists, and they have a dark side to their personality. They get pleasure from causing or witnessing harm to others, and they don’t care about the consequences.

Being hateful and hurtful all the time is not normal or healthy. People who are like that have a problem that needs to be addressed. They may be suffering from low self-esteem, addiction, or mental illness. They may have been hurt or abused in the past, and they are trying to cope with their emotions in a destructive way. They need help to heal their wounds and find a better way of living.

Being Hateful and hurtful is not something to be proud of or celebrate. It is something to be ashamed of and avoid. It is immature and mean. It does not make anyone happy or fulfilled. It only creates more pain and suffering in the world.

We should all strive to be kind and compassionate to others, not cruel and mean. We should empathize with their feelings, respect their dignity, and help them when they need it. We should treat others as we would like to be treated ourselves. We should remember that we are all human beings, with hopes and dreams, fears and flaws, joys and sorrows.

Kindness and compassion are the signs of maturity and wisdom. They are the sources of happiness and peace. They are the gifts that we can give to ourselves and others. They are the ways that we can make this world a better place for everyone.

Don’t be cruel to others, be kind and compassionate. You will be happier and healthier for it.

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Ray Barbier

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Your thoughts, your words, and your actions are what define you.


I know I am not the best writer on the block, but I do the best I can and do it because it is what is within my heart to do. I do not write for likes or fame, I write to express my views and the feelings I have. Sharing what I have learned and what I am yet to learn in this journey of life. I only hope it helps someone to find their own answers to the questions they have in life.

Each person needs to seek out their own answers, it is a personal journey we all are on in life. We can find hints and keys to the answers from others but we must find the correct answers for ourselves. So always be objective and open-minded when reading or hearing other people’s concepts of truth or wisdom. Never follow anyone or anything blindly.

Out of all the things we experience and have in life, your thoughts, your words, and your actions are what define you. The rest of the stuff is but window dressing and speed bumps on the road of life. So always think before you speak or act and try to minimize any negative thinking.

If you have passion and basic writing skills, blog or write a book about your thoughts and feelings. If you are more the Vocal type do podcasts or youtube videos. Don’t Do it for the money or the fame, do it for your passion and to help others, my friends. Not saying you should turn the money down if it is to come your way, Just make it a lower priority.

Well, I wish you luck on your journey through life, may you learn and share much with others in your lifetime.

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Ray Barbier

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