Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Blessings, Curses and Thanksgiving

The First Thanksgiving, painted by Jean Leon G...

With Thanksgiving coming up, I thought I should write about thankfulness. To be thankful for all that you have is to realize that you are blessed even if your life is a mess. Look at me for example, I am 800 miles away from family and friends in several directions and lead a pretty dull life. Yet I am thankful for the family that I still have and for having the friends I do even though they are so far away. Age is catching up to me and my health isn't as good as I would like I am still generally healthy and thankfully I have awoke to see another day.

Too many of us focus on what is bad or causes us ill in our life way too much and rarely look at the blessings that are in our life. No matter how big or small a blessing may seem they all are equally important and should be equally cherished. Life is way to short not to focus on the blessings we have and defiantly too short to ponder on our curses.

So on this Thanksgiving take a good look at all the things that are blessings in your life and give thanks for them.

Hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving

R. Barbier

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Pleasure in the suffering of others is Childish and Cruel

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I often wondered why some people find the misfortunes of others either funny or entertaining. What could drive a person to find enjoyment in such things is beyond my own understanding. I myself could not find any enjoyment or entertainment in the suffering even in my worst enemy. It is cruel minded to find joy or pleasure in the sufferings of others, regardless if they be friend or foe. I guess it boils down to what one defines as just and or justice, If one believes that justice is to see the suffering of the villain or criminal rather than the putting right of which is wrong then maybe that makes it seem ok to find pleasure in the suffering of another.

I believe that the sufferings of others is not to be pleasured in, it is to be abhorred and found a sad or terrible sight. To find pleasure in such things is either madness or a cruel and evil way of thinking. I only hope one day mankind can grow out of such childish thinking and become more compassionate, caring and peaceful.

Peace and Happiness to all
R. Barbier

Honesty, Definitely a virtue we need.

Annual Honesty

Honesty, Definitely a virtue which we need more of. Honesty is the best policy, even if there are things you think best untold. To live in truth and not in illusion is the way in which one is to truly live.

To be dishonest is to mark your own soul and to destroy a part of both the dishonest and the one being deceived. We are responsible for every action, thought and word we have in our lifetime. Everything we do, think and or say effects not only ourselves but those around us. Sometimes our actions, thoughts and words effects can travel great distances to effect even those we do not know.

Be careful of what you do,think and say for it will effect you and others in one way or another.

Well enough Babbling for now
Peace to all
R. Barbier

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Get through each day

Illustration depicting thought.

Just Passing on a Email from a friend I thought everyone would enjoy.

Original Author M. Barr

Okay I decided to pass along a few secrets I have discovered that help me get through each day.

  1. Wake up.
  2. Find something to smile about. To this end. I do what Paul (New Testament) says. If there is anything noble anything good anything of good report, dwell upon these things. I find it simple to just remember things I have enjoyed doing in my life and think upon them.
  3. Whatever is in your mind is what you will focus on. Whatever you think about will reflect in your attitude. If you find yourself hung up on a thought that upsets you or brings you down. Try listening to music that is up beat and singing along with the song. This one is important. Its takes effort but the reward is simply a better attitude. With your every thought you create the world as you believe it to be.
  4. Stop comparing yourself to others. What you will find is that there are those below you and those above you. Do not look down on anyone and try not to envy those that have more material things than you. All you really need is in you at this very moment. So many people are looking for happiness when it is as simple as believing you’re happy and you ARE.
  5. Find something you enjoy and do it!
  6. Forgive the world and move on. Stop looking for negative things to justify your negative mood. Get over it. Forgive the event and make peace with yourself about whatever it is and pick up the pieces and carry on. Stop carrying around that piece of shit baggage and put it down. Put it down right now and every time you pick it up gently remind yourself to let it go.
  7. I find myself meditating 70% of the day. Meditating is simply thinking upon a thing. Sometimes I think about nothing at all. Just content to be in the moment. After all is said and done the moment is all there really is, the past and the future are untouchable but can be accessed through thought.
  8. Relax take a deep breathe and laugh.

Pug

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Cascading Effect, Watch your words and actions.

Great Depression: man dressed in worn coat lyi...

Sometimes we get so wrapped up in our own lives and problems we fail to pay attention to the needs and wants of those around us. We get almost obsessed with trying to keep our lives in balance we allow our relationships and friendships to be put on the back burner. We must remember we are not the only one alive and that we are not the center of the universe. There are others in this world and in contact with our lives.

We have to take care of business, so to speak but we also got to realize that our actions and decisions don’t only affect us. They effect those around us and can in a domino effect even effect people we will never meet. So we should always consider the feelings and the well being of others around us before making decisions. We should be aware of the consequences of our actions and how it can effect those around us and others not even involved.

It is as simple as giving a homeless man a dollar, He will spend it somewhere and that helps keep another person employed. That homeless man might share his wine or food with another. It could cause that homeless man to do something nice for another and then it continues down the line. It is hard to predict if an action is going to have a cascading effect or just stay localized. But being aware of the possibility may guide us to better choices and actions.

I guess the saying Evil begets evil and good begets good is true if you look at it as a cascading reaction or effect to a good or evil deed. So pay attention to what you say and do, keep in mind the effect you can have on others around you and the possibility of a cascading effect. Choose your words and actions wisely because more and likely they will effect many others and eventually come back to haunt you.

Well enough Psychobabble for today
Peace to you all
Ray Barbier