Random Thoughts:12-14-2014


rayrayd_edited-1When we are young we rarely think of death, we lack the fear of death and the we don’t understand the fact life is fleeting and temporary.  That innocence we had as children made life so wonderful and free, unfortunately as we grow older we experience the loss of friends, family and others around us. Slowly the reality of our mortality sinks in and bit by bit our innocence disappears. Instead of owning both our life and our eventual end we tend to slowly give in to fear. That fear strips us of our happiness and steals the time we are supposed to enjoy living.

Life is not supposed to be all about fearing its end, its supposed to be about living in the moment and enjoying the precious time we have with those whom we love and enjoy being with. Being our life is so short , we should try to be loving, caring and compassionate beings and learn to love and forgive one another unconditionally.

Unfortunately there is always great injustice in this world as well as inequality. Though a lot of that is beyond our control , but a good part of it is within our own hands to change. If each one of us lived our lives respecting one another and embracing one another as unique individuals and equals then a good part of what ails society would be diminished.  There will always be problems to face in this world be it on the street or in the high offices of government. This will not change until the heart of humanity changes within its self.

To end todays Random Thoughts I will leave you with a quote from a popular song that rings true in my heart at least.

He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother– The Hollies  (1969)

Random Thoughts on 10/22/2014


003We 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

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 Barbier003

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.

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!

Without the initial spark we will never see a flame.


EarthOnce 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.

hands 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.

eyeIn 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.

This world needs more free thinkers, visionaries and promoters of peace and compassion.

Raymond Barbier

Time to step away from the character I have played


rayrayd_edited-1To much self, not enough of everybody else. Too much of ego for most of us to let go. Me, myself and I are in the way and it makes me blind. Blind of the truth around me and the connection we all have to everything. Too much worry, anger and paranoia within the self-centered man I seem to be and its time to put him aside for the  person who I truly am.

Time to return to who I was as a child, to the person I am hidden beneath the conditioning of society and the scars of life. Remember the lessons learned and let go of the pain and confusion we accumulated through the years. Too much mental and emotional garbage we have collected through life experiences.  Time to empty my inner recycle bin and go about my way free of such useless and painful thoughts and/or emotions. Free of such things.

Each morning I awake is but a new blank page for me to fill with my life’s journey, yet another day to grow and change. The pages written on the days prior are but the history of which choices I made and directions I have taken. Though I can not change where I have been or what I have done I still can change direction and my destination.

Time to return to who I was meant to be and let go of the egotistical side of me. Time to become who I was meant to be and not what this world has tried to make me into. Time to change my direction and my desired destination. Time to set Goals that are true to who I am and not those that society dictates is normal and desirable. Time to let go of what I am expected to be by others and be who I truly am.

Time to be who God created me to be and time to step away from the character I have played in this worlds masquerade. Time to be set free, time to accept what has been given to me.

 We spend so much time trying to be what others expect us to be we lose the person we truly are. Sometimes we seek out the treasures of this world forgetting where or true treasures lay.

Ray Barbier

Just Some Random thoughts on a Saturday Night 3/15/14


HPIM0318It is not how others treat you that is important, it is how you treat others and your own self. We tend to get so caught up in the drama of how we are not being treated fairly or kindly we overlook how we are treating others and sometimes ourselves. We allow our ego to become the center of attention and thus we tend to put such things as our own behavior and mental attitudes on the back burner. We can not change the way others think of us directly nor how they treat us except by setting example and possible changing our own behavior and mentality.

So the question is, if we change our focus to how we treat others and away from the worry of how they treat us will that create change in general on how we treat each other? Well more than likely yes and it has to start somewhere and why not with ourselves.

Just Some Random thoughts on a Saturday Night

Raymond Barbier

have love as well as compassion towards one another.


017See that person next to you? they too have feelings, they also have struggles in life and they have as much importance as you do in the universe. Step outside your “Me, Myself and I” box and realize you are not alone nor are you the center of the universe anymore so than the guy or gal next to you.  Even those élite socialites and so-called alpha males and females that strut around as if they were superior, they too are your equals. They just live in a fantasy where they believe they are better in one fashion or another. The only difference between them and the rest of us is either good circumstances, random chance and of course probably some hard work or positive thinking and a lot of right choices.

Positive attitude plays a big part in both our self-image and self-esteem which in turn helps set the course of our life path.  How we perceive and how we treat others plays a big part in it all as well, if we know in the grand scheme of things we all have the same worth and that neither one or another is greater than the other, we then see people for who and what they truly are.  So the next time you see a beggar or a wealthy person see them as they are, just human beings trying to survive and trying to do so as best they can.  No malice should be aimed toward either and both should be subject to the same amount of love and basic respect that all living creatures deserve.

I have known both beggars and wealthy people in my life and they are pretty much the same far as wants, needs and basic desires. They both want to have their needs of food, lodging and the basic necessities, they both long to be accepted, loved and to be happy in their existence. The only real difference is what hand they were dealt in life and how they played the game.

The true riches of life are things like family, love,friendship and being happy with the blessings you have. To have peace within and finding contentment within ones life is the truest form or wealth. Possessions  tend to eventually possess the beholder and so it seems so does wealth. Greed and Envy drive the economies of the modern world more so than our needs.

So greet each other as equals and have love as well as compassion towards one another. For we are all part of the massive family we call human kind. Put greed and envy in the Trash Bin where it belongs and live life in the fullest. Be yourself and accept others for who they are.

Raymond Barbier

A heart that is full of kindness and love.


024_thumb.jpgBeing our life is as a drop of water in the ocean of time we should cherish each moment in time. We should be true to ourselves and be full of peace, compassion,understanding and unconditional love. We should walk which ever path we choose with dignity and we should not condemn nor disrespect the paths others have chosen to walk. We should live in the now, remember the lessons of our past and be hopeful for the future.

Though we are individuals we must remember to aim for the good of the whole. We should walk through life with a gentle smile on our faces and with a heart that is full of kindness and love. We should refrain from anger and never give in to such things as hatred and fear. We should always remember that just like ourselves others are plagued by the sorrows and troubles of being human. If we remember this we shall find it easy to have compassion.