Tag Archives: Ray Barbier

Random Thoughts

Random Thoughts 12-13-2022

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Elderly people are not disposable, they are the people who helped build this world you are enjoying now. Many of those we call elderly once built the cars we drive, and designed the buildings we live in. Some may have just cleaned the buildings we worked in or served coffee to our parents and grandparents before or after work. Heck, a good portion of the elderly is in the U.S. federal government and they even cast aside the elderly at times.

Seems like the focus is always on the children or the younger working-aged group of citizens when it comes to congress and our government. But then why should a senator who makes a 6 figure salary and has a guaranteed retirement from our federal government worry about social security or the welfare of the elderly citizens that still can vote and contribute to society through the experience they have and the wisdom they have gained.

My opinion is that if they want to cut the budget look to their own salaries and retirement packages, their perks for being in office, and the wasteful spending in the defense budget instead of trying to cut social security or veterans benefits. Cut out some of that pork barrel spending in bills passed, and do straightforward bills without all the little perks for their states that do nothing but gain them possible votes.

Don’t even get me started on how tired I am and probably most people are with the partisan bull that does nothing but keeps congress from getting anything meaningful or worthwhile done. Or how money from lobbyists keeps what the people want from being passed due to money coming before constituents to some people in congress.

No government is perfect, there is always some sort of corruption and/or under-the-table deal going on. Just wish those in congress would remember they are elected to represent all of the citizens not just the base of the party they are in or the lobbyists that paid them the most money. The Meaning of We the people of the United States in the constitution is that the government is for the people and by the people, not just one party, group, social group, or individual.

One of the problems is that being a senator or representative is seen as a career instead of a civic duty by many of them in office. They lost their way and serve money and party over the people who voted for them. Wonder if they would be different if they made minimum wage and couldn’t receive any money from lobbyists and if they had term limits similar to a president. Who knows, it is what it is and unless we get more politicians that do it for the people and not just for the party and money it will remain as it is.

More than likely Social security and other social programs that were created to help the less fortunate will be constantly underfunded and at threat of being sunsetted until there is some sort of change in congress. Sad those that worked all their lives and helped build America and funded the federal government will be considered as a burden on the government. Human lives should always be more important than party politics or satisfying the political base that got someone elected.

Well, that is the opinion of this near-retirement-aged man, agree or disagree it is what it is. I wish everyone Happy Holidays and pray we all can find peace and happiness in life.

Ray Barbier

Random Thoughts

Random Thoughts 12-12-2022

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In my lifetime I learned that there are so many people allowed to separate themselves from each other. We use labels to differentiate ourselves from one another, what religion we believe, what color we may be, our political party, nationality, and sex or sexual preference. We all get too wrapped up in what makes us all different from one another and that keeps us from seeing what we all have in common. We all are human beings and I think almost every single one of us wants to live a happy and productive life.

Most of us do not seek out conflict nor find pleasure in the suffering of others and most would rather co-exist with everyone else in harmony. There is always a small percentage that thrives in a negative atmosphere and revels in the suffering of others. We can not avoid those types of people, all we can do is deal with them when they become a threat to others and when they are not a threat to others we need to find a way to not allow them to ruin our day.

I remember how my grandparents were towards other people, they never judged people by what they were labeled, but by how they treated others around them. They taught me to do the same, see a person for how they act, and treat others. That is who that other person is, not their political party, color, and so on. I think some people just want everyone else to be just like them, and if they are not that’s when the trouble starts.

Lately I myself have been dealing with the “you’re old and I’m young” labeling and the discrimination that comes with it. It baffles me, I never looked at elderly people as anything but people. Age does not diminish a person’s worth nor their ability to contribute to society. If anything, being older gives them a sort of wisdom, and insight into things that the younger generation has yet had time to gain.

I am not yet to that elderly age, but I am getting closer every day, and boy the perception of time sure speeds up as I get older. Well anyways, what I was getting at is that we need to ignore all the labels we put on people and focus more on how people treat one another and realize that we all have something to contribute to this world we live in. And that we all need to help one another through this life since it can be a real challenge sometimes.

Be good to one another, find forgiveness for yourself and others.

Ray Barbier

creative commons, Random Thoughts

Random Thoughts 12-7-2022

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I am no expert at anything, I am just an average everyday guy who loves to think, write and be somewhat opinionated at times. I observe life and try to learn from it when I can as well. The last few years have been quite trying for me and others due to the pandemic, conspiracy theories, and the conspiracist behind them. The politically charged atmosphere is caused by the polarization of parties and followers as well.

The loss of relatives and friends during the last few years also have taken a toll on us that suffered such, trying to find some sort of normalcy in this chaotic time we live in is a chore, to say the least. Change is gonna happen and there is little we can do to stop progress and change, all we can do is try to nudge it toward a better outcome for all. All the violence and death from violence, we have seen in the last few years is a sign of fear and hate getting a hold of people.

Fear has its place, but it is not supposed to be the driving force in our lives, anger and hate really are unnecessary things that usually stem out of fear and past actions that caused pain. This is where forgiveness comes into play, to forgive is to let go of the pain caused by others more so than you granting the person who caused the pain a sort of pardon for their actions. Forgiving someone rarely ever makes a difference to the person who did the bad thing, but it does do wonders for the one doing the forgiving.

Fear, on the other hand, is usually created from one’s lack of knowledge, a bad experience that was bad enough to cause fear of it repeating, or an experience one wants to avoid due to some possible negative outcome and the desire to never have change/ desire of staying in what they see as a comfort zone. Fear can be a good thing in the sense it can keep you from doing something that could cause you or others harm, but if you let it fear can cause you to become stagnant and then you wind up missing out on the good things you could experience in life.

Being judgemental usually is a self-defense mechanism in most people, judge others before they can judge you kind of thing. Another fear-based reaction to the world and people around you. Also, it can be a mechanism used to control others, keep them feeling less important and less capable so they can not be a threat to you or your cause, etc. The problem with being judged is that if you do not buy into the judgment and don’t let it control or influence you then it is nothing but wasted words and time. Sometimes being judged by others can actually backfire on those doing the judgment, it can inspire some to go above and beyond to prove the accusers wrong.

Some political leaders love to use fear, anger, hate, and judgmentalism to their advantage, it can sway the masses and keep them divided so they are less aware of what may be going on and less capable of doing something about it if they chose to do so. Some examples are The big red scare in the 1950s, and the communists are coming, the communists are coming mentality. They created a common foe for the populace to rally against, something to hate so they were occupied and controlled by fear.

Sure communism was something to worry about to a degree during that time, but to be honest, there was very little they could have really done to the government. Sometimes I think it was more the big money/corporations that propagated the fear since they had the most to lose financially if communism were to blossom here in the USA. The concept of communism looks okay on paper but as we have seen in communist countries it doesn’t always work out the way it appears it will in the real world.

Fear is something we need to learn to control within ourselves and hate is something we should never embrace, hate tends to divide people and cause nothing but pain and turmoil. Anger on the other hand, though not a good thing to embrace, has its place as long as it’s short-lived and doesn’t result in violence. Anger is an emotion that comes out when you have pain be it emotional or physical and you need that anger to protect yourself for that moment. If you hold onto anger too long then it becomes hate.

If it were a perfect world, we would never feel anger or fear and we would never see hate. We would only love one another and be one big happy family, always helping one another through life. Unfortunately, it is not a perfect world, so we have to work hard at keeping fear and anger to a short-lived experience and hopefully as minimally experienced emotion. We also have to work hard at not being judgemental and or being negatively affected by being judged by others. We also need to be Compassionate, show unconditional love, and be understanding/tolerant toward one another.

Ray Barbier

creative commons, Poems and Writings, Random Thoughts

Random Thoughts 11-26-2022

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Life is like walking down a network of roads leading in a multitude of directions. We all want to choose the road that leads to a brighter future and a grand destination, but life is a fleeting thing and the trip eventually will come to an end. So the destination for our physical existence is all the same for each one of us, it is the end of life we will eventually find. That is when the next journey begins and from a religious standpoint, we should be prepared for that journey.

The Journey of life is the gift we have been given since birth, our chance to be an individual and share who we are with the world we live in. Of course, life is also our teacher as well, for this is much we need to learn along our journey. Navigating all the social situations, and relationships we have and finding out who we are is part of the process of life as well.

What we stand for, who we are, where we want to go, how we want to treat others, and how we live this life are some of the things we must decide along the way. Will we live life in fear or will we live life to the fullest, will we treat others with respect and love them unconditionally or will we be judgemental and cold towards others and embrace selfishness?

This life is yours to live and do as you desire, but remember there is a reaction to each action you take, so try your best to be a positive influence on the world and be compassionate towards others. Be forgiving and when you must judge do it with much compassion and love for how you judge others you too will be judged in the same manner along the way and in the end as well. Karma always has its day and what you sow you will surely reap down the road.

I wish you peace and blessing on your journey through life, I hope you will avoid the pitfalls of greed, envy, jealousy, and hate. I pray we all learn to walk the path of life in peace and with compassion and understanding for one another as well. Be good, Be yourself, and may you be a guiding light for others in these dark times.

Ray Barbier

creative commons, Random Thoughts, Thought of the day

Random Thoughts 11-19-2022

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In my lifetime I have witnessed many tremendous changes in society and the world we live in. I watched the telephone go from rotary dial to touch-tone and eventually to smartphones down the line. I watched computers go from gigantic room-sized units stacked across a wall to the size of a smartphone as well. Vynal records to 8-track tapes to cassette tapes, then to CDs, and eventually to digital formats such as MP3s.

Technology has come a long way since I was born way back in 1967, but it seems we still have a long way to go as a society. It seems we still are dealing with the same fears, prejudices, and division, some look the same some have just changed their outer appearance but they all are still there. Great visionaries such as Martin Luther King who dreamed of a world where we could live without judging one another due to our color, social status, or financial situation gave us hope to hold on to.

But we still hold on to labels, stereotypes, and the illusion that we all are so different we can not live together. We are all the same in the fact we want to be happy, and live life with enough abundance we never are in need or want. We all want our children to grow up and have happy productive lives without conflict or fear. Until we let go of the past and walk beside one another as equals into the future we will be trapped in this cycle of mistrust and fear. Learn from the past, don’t live in it, and carry the baggage from what was into what can and may be.

We face the problem of everyone thinking what they believe is the right way to live is the only way. As humans we all have been born with the right and ability to choose our own paths in life, no one has the right to dictate to another how to live, love, or worship. As long as the way you chose to live does not hinder or harm another then you have all the right in the world to live your life the way you desire.

Freedom of choice and free will are fundamental rights we are born with and should never be taken away from someone. Of course, with those rights, you have a great responsibility. Everything you do and say you are responsible for the outcome of said words and actions. Everything has some sort of reaction or consequence and you must face and accept responsibility for the outcomes.

If you disagree with how someone else lives their life you can express your disagreement but after that, you should accept the other person’s choices and respect their right to live by their choices. This is not condoning their actions, it is simply accepting they have the right to choose that path in life.

This is how my mother taught me in my childhood, she would tell me if I made a choice that she may have seen as wrong for me, or in general, she would simply point out the consequences for the action or choice and tell me to decide and face the music when it’s over. Usually, I would listen to her and choose correctly, sometimes I wouldn’t and I faced the consequences if not immediately, eventually down the line.

She never condemned me for my wrong choices nor did she condone them. She gave me the ability to choose for myself and that in itself was showing me respect as an individual human being. Luckily for a child, his or her parents have unconditional love and patience so it makes it easier to allow such mistakes to be made and let their child grow. Unfortunately, it seems much harder to have that compassionate and unconditional love for strangers and others in our lives.

If were to see each other as a family, distant relatives, or similar maybe we could learn to have more patience and show more compassion for one another. We must learn to live together as brothers and sisters or we may wind up dying together as fools to paraphrase Martin Luther king’s words of wisdom. We need to learn to put away those fears, wipe away the tears of past mistakes, and reach out to one another so we can build a happier future for our children and the future generations to come.

Peace and Blessings

Ray Barbier

Random Thoughts

Random Thoughts 11-14-2022

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What is behind all this violence we have been witnessing on the news as of late? School shootings, Political unrest, and attacks on political figures and their family along with murders across the nation and the world? Why has it come down to violence and what can we do to bring things back to a more peaceful world are the questions I ask myself and everyone I talk with.

Some violence is fueled by political extremism but the majority I believe is done by individuals with either an unhappy life situation or someone with mental and/or emotional problems. There is also the financial inequity and inequality that plays into the mix as well. Seems many younger people are unhappy, depressed, or feel as if they are being oppressed and they tend to focus all that unhappiness and rage on a person or place that brought them some sort of traumatic experience such as being bullied, feeling left out, or unwanted.

Shooting up a school or university is not going to solve any problems and usually winds up ending the life of many innocent people along with the troubled individual committing the act of violence. I think they know it won’t solve their problem but they get to the point of desperation and just want to lash out and go down in a blaze of some sort of twisted glory or something. It is hard for others to really know what they were thinking and what motivation they may have had.

Seems that we need more focus on the mental and emotional well-being of our youth, if we focus on the problems they have in early life they may be better equipped to deal with problems in the future and that may help us avoid a good portion of the violent crimes committed by teenagers and very young adults. Far as guns are concerned I see no reason for a teenager to possess a military-grade weapon and I also feel that there should be some sort of mandatory training involved in possessing any military-style assault weapon.

We need to work on getting the divide between the extremely rich and the poor and making the minimum wage more of a living wage. Take it from someone who has worked the majority of his life making at or near the minimum wage, there is no way even at full-time hours one can live life at such wages without some other income or help. The question is do we increase the Minimum wage or do we find a way to lower the cost of living, either way, would solve a lot of the disparity out there and probably would help lower crime in general.

Politicians need to work on using less polarizing messaging to reach their base and stop being so partisan when governing. They are there to represent not only the party they are in but those that they serve in their state, regardless if those people are one party or another. Listen to the people, and do what they call for you to do above what the party you are affiliated with desires. Compromise with the opposing party when governing and finding common ground. This is what we the people pay you in congress to do.

Doesn’t matter what political party you are with, what religion you do or do not follow, your color, sex, or even sexual preference, or which sex you identify with, you are part of the people that those in congress are supposed to represent. We all are citizens, we all belong to this great nation we live in and no one is above another in our nation. We are supposed to be the beacon of light for the rest of the world and it’s time for us to get back to acting like it.

Put our differences aside, hold out our hand to our neighbor with no conditions and be the great people I know we all can be.

Peace and Blessings to all

Ray Barbier

Random Thoughts, Thought of the day

Random Thoughts 11-8-2022

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To love someone is to accept them as who they are, be there to help them if they need and accept their love and help in turn. Too many people think love is all about what they want in a relationship or how the other person should be. Love is more about what you can do for the other person, it’s more selfless than self-serving. Being in a relationship means being a partner not a boss or critic of the other person and learning to work together to make life better for you both.

Every person has faults and a negative side, and as long as the relationship isn’t abusive in nature you should work around those bad traits and try to help one another through them. Even an abusive relationship may have hope as long as it is not one that is intentional and severe, but I would avoid staying in an abusive relationship due to the risks involved to one or both parties.

People forget how fortunate they are to have a partner in life, and the easily forget how hard it is to stand alone for most of us out there. Being a person who spent up till about his 30s being alone, I do know how hard it is to face life alone, it may not be impossible, but it sure is nicer when you have someone by your side to help you through it and someone for you to help as well.

The Ego is one of the biggest roadblocks to a happy relationship, being stuck in that what about me, I want kind of mentality makes it hard to put your relationship first and your partner before yourself. If both sides follow the rule of putting the other before themselves in the end neither side will ever be without or be found lacking that which they need.

The ego, Self-centered mentality spawns in us as children, and in time it usually fades in most people, but some never outgrow that mentality and it makes it hard to have a good relationship for and with them. We all have a little of that selfish side in us, most of us learned how to put it in check for the most part.

Usually getting married and having children teaches most of us how to be more selfless, though not all of us are blessed with that fate, and some even who have been still don’t grasp the concept of putting those you love before yourself. I think we should just apply the golden rule to relationships, Treat your partner as you would love to have them treat you. If we all followed that rule in our love relationships and even in everyday ones, this world probably would be a much nicer place to live in.

Well, the concept is nice, and may just be an unrealistic hope of a dreamer, but one must keep hope in this world. Peace and blessings to you all

Ray Barbier

Random Thoughts, Thought of the day

Random Thoughts: 11-07-2022

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We all went through a rough few years with the pandemic, the Ukraine war, and with all the political polarization around us. Many of us stayed glued to the tv and computer screens etc. watching the news, opinion-based shows, and conspiracy-themed shows as well. Constantly being bombarded with information geared to either stir up fear, doubt, and/or anger.

Some of us became numb and indifferent to it all, and others got pulled into the madness of it all and not sure what is a fact, opinion, or what is lies. This has taken a toll on many people’s emotional and mental health to one degree or another. Proof of this is all the violence we are seeing now that is either political or fear-motivated.

As Americans we value freedom of speech, but when does freedom of speech reach the point it becomes pure out hate and fear-mongering? Well, that is the price of freedom of speech, we must allow even ideas that do not fit in our frame of what is correct in order to preserve the right for what we agree with to be presented.

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But, just because you have the right to speak does not mean that you will not be met with opposing views, resistance and god forbid someone resorting to violence. The part people forget about a right, is with that right comes responsibility. What you say and do will have consequences, some that you may not forsee or even could prepare for. Reason why people need to cool down and think about what they say and do when things get so heated and polarized.

With all we have had to face in the last few years, we all could use a nice break from all the fear and anger. I myself have chosen to keep my news and opinion watching on tv and internet etc. down to a very minimum. I am returning to watching the world from my small bubble and enjoying nature, family and friends. It sure is nicer than getting all wrapped up in the stuff that is constantly thrown at me via tv and internet.

Politics and religion are topics that stir up many feelings in people, since they seem to be personal subjects most take to heart. I think it is fine if someone beleives different than I do. We all have the right to believe how we choose, and we should respect that right for others as well. In the end I will quote Dune “Fear is the mind killer” becuase it is very true. Fear keeps one from being able to think things through and move forward.

Peace and blessings to all

Ray Barbier

creative commons, Political, Random Thoughts, Thought of the day

Random Thoughts 11-01-2022

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Words can heal or they can hurt, how we use what we say can make a big difference in both our lives and the lives of others. How we act around others and how we treat them has a big impact on their lives and in the end, will come back around to impact our lives as well. Those living in the U.S. and similar countries where freedom of speech is celebrated are more likely to face hate and angry speech than in other countries. People take advantage of that right to free speech without realizing they also have to be responsible for the words they speak and the consequences of those words.

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Politicians are one of the greatest abusers of the freedom of speech right in modern times. They will spout out whatever Rhetoric will motivate their political base to get the votes to either gain power or maintain it. Both republican and democrat parties have used such practices to sway public opinion and gain power in congress. But yet if the politicians only told the truth and debated about things respectfully, most people would probably not even pay the politicians much mind. Seems people are more likely to pay attention to politics as long as there is some sort of drama going on.

The sad part is that political rhetoric has gone to the extreme and acts of violence motivated by such rhetoric are becoming more commonplace. what is even worse is some political figures make light of the violence and joke about it. How can we as a nation face the world if we vote for people who have no care for the wellbeing of others into office? How can we overlook every fault and defect in a candidate just so we can get either a party in power or get one agenda through congress? Sad time for American politics and the American people.

We need to be responsible-minded when it comes to what we say and do, especially if we are in a position of influence. What our words and actions bring about down the line we are partial if not wholly responsible for. It is your life, your voice, and your choice of how to use the time you have on earth. You can choose to spend it doing for others and being kind or be one that is about only yourself. Either way, you are responsible for your actions and words.

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There of course are those in congress that don’t go along with the rhetoric nor support it, to those I say stand up and get your voices heard. For sitting in silence is the equivalent of supporting the words and actions of those you disagree with. We need more Bi-Partisanship and less rhetoric in congress, regardless of what party you belong to, you are supposed to be there for all of the people that you represent, not the party you are affiliated with.

In the end, we need to remember there are real people out there that may be affected by our words and actions. Those people deserve the same respect as we ourselves desire and deserve as well. We must remember the golden rule of treating others as we would like to be treated ourselves. The question we must ask ourselves is whether would we like to be treated the way we are treating people in our lives or not.

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Politicians not only represent us in government but they also represent us all to the world, how they act and what they say not only affect people here in our country, it also affects how other countries view our country and the people who live in it. One of the many reasons why we, the people they represent should care about what they say and do.

Blessings to all and may you find Happiness.

Ray Barbier

creative commons, Random Thoughts

Random Thoughts 10-26-2022

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Always amazed me how people can find reasons to hate or dislike others much easier than they can find reasons to love one another. Fear plays a big part in that I believe, and fear usually stems from not knowing or a bad experience. Hate either is fueled by fear or taught to us by family or peers.

How can the color of a person’s skin make that person superior or inferior I ask? A human is human no matter what color their skin is and there is no superior or inferior. Why can’t we just respect each other’s decisions on how we want to live our lives, we don’t always have to agree on things or condone the actions of others just accept it is their choice. Unconditional love for one another as one big family called the human race is what we need. Compassion for other people, acceptance of who they are, and unconditional love for all life.

I guess there will always be those that choose to hate and fear, and there will always be those who want to believe they are above or better than other people. One day I hope they become a very small minority and lose their ability to disrupt society and cause harm. All we can do as a society is try to teach our young not to follow such negative narratives and teach them the importance of helping those in need.

Ray Barbier