RJBWEB http://rjbweb.org Just another WordPress site Sun, 05 Feb 2012 21:24:48 +0000 en hourly 1 we tend to forget about those we care about along the way http://rjbweb.org/2012/02/04/we-tend-to-forget-about-those-we-care-about-along-the-way/ http://rjbweb.org/2012/02/04/we-tend-to-forget-about-those-we-care-about-along-the-way/#comments Sat, 04 Feb 2012 02:15:52 +0000 rbarbier1967 http://rjbweb.org/?p=663 oldfamIn the hustle and bustle of our modern world we tend to forget about those we care about along the way. Have you called your mom, dad, siblings or old friends? Have you told your mate how much they mean to you and how much you love them today? Have you had any quality time with your children today? When is the last time you sat down at the kitchen table and had a family meal and converse with your family about what happened today? It is so easy to allow work, stress, TV time and the everyday routine get in the way of sharing your life and time with those you love.

 

Just some thoughts for today.

Raymond Barbier

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]]> http://rjbweb.org/2012/02/04/we-tend-to-forget-about-those-we-care-about-along-the-way/feed/ 0 Our welfare system is broken and inefficient http://rjbweb.org/2012/02/04/our-welfare-system-is-broken-and-inefficient/ http://rjbweb.org/2012/02/04/our-welfare-system-is-broken-and-inefficient/#comments Sat, 04 Feb 2012 01:14:14 +0000 rbarbier1967 http://rjbweb.org/?p=659 IMG_1077 I sit here listening to the rants and raves of our political leaders. Seems anything that benefits the common people its labeled communism or socialism but if it benefits the rich it is accepted with little objection. I agree we shouldn’t be a welfare state and that there is a lot of work that needs to be done to the welfare system in America. I see too many people taking advantage of food stamps, welfare and many other programs while so many who really need the help are denied any help. They wonder why our federal and state governments are in debt and seem to want to blame social security, Medicaid or Medicare. The elderly deserve those benefits since they paid into them all of their lives but yet I see so many who never work (and are perfectly able to) receive food stamps, housing, gas cards and welfare. Does this mean we should stop helping those who are really in need? I think not, I believe we need to investigate and monitor recipients at random to confirm they are not abusing the system.

What really bothers me is what a friend told me, he worked at a local grocery store and saw a woman who bought 250.00 dollars of a name brand soda with her food stamp card and she sold it to the small gas station down the road, when he called it in to the state he was told there was nothing they could do because its al hear say. More or less they didn’t care or didn’t want to bother doing anything about the food stamp fraud. Since then I have seen other people doing the same thing both buying with food stamps and selling the soda to a gas station (for half price) . There are so many ways they can take advantage of the food stamp system its just crazy that we don’t have a task force out there to stop such abuse.

Recently they at least passed a bill to allow random drug testing of food stamp recipients so at least they are trying to find ways to weed out some of the abuse of food stamp. Now don’t get me wrong I am a strong supporter of programs such as food stamps, government housing and welfare for those who truly need it and don’t abuse it. For “We the people” are the backbone of this great nation and we should take care of our needy, handicapped and elderly. If we look upon any social class, race, religious sect or individual as expendable or undeserving of the basic rights guaranteed by our constitution then we are not the great nation our founding fathers created. Our welfare system is broken and inefficient and needs an overhaul and definitely we need to find a way to make sure there is little to no abuse of the benefits it provides.

The only way we may find solutions to the current financial crises that our nation is when the republicans and democrats realize that compromise along with sacrifice is the only way to get things done. Until then we will see more and more people sink into poverty if not become jobless and homeless. Lucky for our politicians they have a guaranteed job and retirement along with a good health plan and a salary paid by all of us. I guess that’s one reason they seem to be apathetic and unconcerned about the urgency of the problems at hand. They all seem more worried about campaigning and playing politics than about trying to come up with solutions to the current problems before us as a nation.

 

 

Well enough ranting for now, Right or wrong that’s my 2 cents worth today.

Raymond Barbier

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]]> http://rjbweb.org/2012/02/04/our-welfare-system-is-broken-and-inefficient/feed/ 0 Change, acceptance and fear http://rjbweb.org/2012/02/02/change-acceptance-and-fear/ http://rjbweb.org/2012/02/02/change-acceptance-and-fear/#comments Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:33:14 +0000 rbarbier1967 http://rjbweb.org/?p=655 003 Since the time we are born we sought out the approval of our family and peers, the path of life we choose to follow is heavily influenced by the opinions and attitudes of our family unit and our peers at school or work. Even though we are solitary beings in thought we tend to become attached to the ideals and values of those we are closest to. Of course we have our own personal spin on those values and ideas but the core of them were taken from the close circle of influence we have.  Good thing about human beings is they can change their core beliefs mid stream and change their direction if not their whole life path. Usually the older we get the less we look to others for approval and or acceptance and learn to be more independent in our views. Still the base core of the beliefs we had in our youth influences our lives. The dependence on the acceptance of a social group and or their approval can limit us from reaching our full potential . We wind up spending too much energy trying to make everyone around us happy as well as trying to gain their acceptance. A lot of us waste too much time trying to figure out why we are not accepted, liked or successful. We tend to believe  since we are not liked or accepted that we are either broken or something must be wrong with us. There is nothing wrong or broken within us, and usually we are more accepted and liked than we tend to perceive. Our fear and negative thoughts are blinding us to the truth that everyone is imperfect and that each one of us are both accepted and rejected by the world around us. Even the most popular people in society have those who dislike them and don’t accept them into their social groups.

I believe that we all must learn not to put so much time and energy into being accepted or liked and focus more on being the best person we can be. No matter what cards fate has dealt you in life you have the potential to be happy as well as the ability to change the things in your life that you don’t like.  Change of course is not an easy thing because the first thing you have to do is change your own mindset, you have to let go of the thoughts that make you believe your stuck or unable to progress beyond your current position in life. That is one of the hardest demons to wrestle with and usually it will not surrender easily. Once that is out of your way you just have to take the first step towards your new life. You will face obstacles and even have some set backs but you will make it to the destination if you keep determined. Self growth and self-improvement is a personal experience and there is no one out there other than yourself that can change the person you are or decide where your going in life. Others can only aid you or try to slow you down but that is all they are able to do. Don’t worry about acceptance and or social status, don’t make life too complicated and be true to yourself. Be who you are and shed the shackles of self-doubt and live for the moment as your true self.

 

 

 

 

The first step towards happiness is Self Acceptance.

Raymond Barbier

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]]> http://rjbweb.org/2012/02/02/change-acceptance-and-fear/feed/ 0 How The Web Killed SOPA and PIPA | TPM Idea Lab http://rjbweb.org/2012/01/26/how-the-web-killed-sopa-and-pipa-tpm-idea-lab/ http://rjbweb.org/2012/01/26/how-the-web-killed-sopa-and-pipa-tpm-idea-lab/#comments Thu, 26 Jan 2012 20:07:28 +0000 rbarbier1967 http://rjbweb.org/?p=647 English: www,domain,internet,web,net

 

 

 

How The Web Killed SOPA and PIPA | TPM Idea Lab

 
 
 
 
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]]> http://rjbweb.org/2012/01/26/how-the-web-killed-sopa-and-pipa-tpm-idea-lab/feed/ 0 PROTECT IP / SOPA Breaks The Internet http://rjbweb.org/2012/01/18/protect-ip-sopa-breaks-the-internet/ http://rjbweb.org/2012/01/18/protect-ip-sopa-breaks-the-internet/#comments Wed, 18 Jan 2012 09:50:13 +0000 rbarbier1967 http://rjbweb.org/?p=645

PROTECT IP / SOPA Breaks The Internet from Fight for the Future on Vimeo.

 

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]]> http://rjbweb.org/2012/01/18/protect-ip-sopa-breaks-the-internet/feed/ 0 The tug of war between the ego and the spirit http://rjbweb.org/2012/01/17/the-tug-of-war-between-the-ego-and-the-spirit/ http://rjbweb.org/2012/01/17/the-tug-of-war-between-the-ego-and-the-spirit/#comments Tue, 17 Jan 2012 17:26:36 +0000 rbarbier1967 http://rjbweb.org/?p=643 002In life we seem to have so many challenges to face and obstacles to overcome. Without adversity and or the challenges in our life our minds and souls would become like a stagnant pool of water. Without having some kind of disturbance or motion water becomes foul over time and when we are unchallenged in life we too become somewhat foul. Foul in the sense we have no personal growth nor any motivation to move forward or to better ourselves. Even those on the path towards enlightenment and well as those that reach it there is always some kind of challenge or adversity to face. Enlightenment does not mean life can not or will not throw at you the challenges and obstacles of life it just means you are more aware of the whole process and that you have the knowledge / wisdom to deal with them. Of course you may outgrow and get to the point many of the challenges are no longer a part of your life but newer ones will appear to replace them. You are given challenges and adversities to face that are of your level not ones below or above your present level. God will not put upon you anything that you are not able to overcome or deal with in time. Sometimes the challenges you face may seem to much for you to handle but those are the ones meant to help you grow both spiritually and mentally. Life’s adversities and its challenges build character and skills . They also teach us the lessons we need to learn as well as help guide us toward a closer relationship with God.

To follow the path of enlightenment, righteousness and piety are all spiritual paths towards spiritual growth. Any path that is selfish or is for the ego/I is one towards the carnal and degrades the spirit. If you pay attention most of what religions call evil or sinful deal with the selfish nature of the ego such as greed, lust, envy and apathy. Then on the other end of the scale such as good and or righteous is the selfless acts and compassionate nature or charity, love, brotherhood and forgiveness. Seems one focuses on the self and distracts one from both their spiritual growth as well as from the needs of others. While the other focuses on the well-being of others and promotes spiritual growth. The tug of war between the ego and the spirit is one that we must face throughout our physical existence.

Just some thoughts for today

Peace and Love be with you all.

Raymond Barbier

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]]> http://rjbweb.org/2012/01/17/the-tug-of-war-between-the-ego-and-the-spirit/feed/ 0 Be passionate in life and compassionate in heart http://rjbweb.org/2012/01/13/be-passionate-in-life-and-compassionate-in-heart/ http://rjbweb.org/2012/01/13/be-passionate-in-life-and-compassionate-in-heart/#comments Fri, 13 Jan 2012 10:44:44 +0000 rbarbier1967 http://rjbweb.org/?p=638 antique_keyTwo of the many Keys to living a happy life is both passion and compassion. The kind of passion I am referring to is the passion for life and or being passionate in everything you do. With out passion to drive us forward in life we would become quite stagnant spiritually and psychologically. Then there is good old compassion, the virtue of empathy and sympathy for others. To care for your fellow human beings and offer them a hand up in life. The main goal of being compassionate to others is to help others through a crises or help them up from their present condition to a better one. The difference between compassion and being charitable is being charitable is the giving of money or goods only when showing compassion would do both the giving and teaching the one in need how to either avoid the same situation or how to elevate themselves out of the hole they are in. To feed the hungry is good, but to teach them how to grow their own food and or help them find a source of income in order to feed themselves is much better. First treat the symptoms (lack of food, housing, clothing etc.) then fix the cause (lack of adequate income) so the symptoms will not return. Be passionately compassionate and treat not only the symptoms but cure the disease / cause.

 

Well that is all for today,

So may you be passionate in life and compassionate in heart.

Raymond Barbier

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]]> http://rjbweb.org/2012/01/13/be-passionate-in-life-and-compassionate-in-heart/feed/ 0 Mother Nature http://rjbweb.org/2012/01/06/mother-nature/ http://rjbweb.org/2012/01/06/mother-nature/#comments Fri, 06 Jan 2012 21:42:04 +0000 rbarbier1967 http://rjbweb.org/?p=634
]]> http://rjbweb.org/2012/01/06/mother-nature/feed/ 0 Think outside the box, Swim against the tide http://rjbweb.org/2012/01/05/think-outside-the-box-swim-against-the-tide/ http://rjbweb.org/2012/01/05/think-outside-the-box-swim-against-the-tide/#comments Thu, 05 Jan 2012 10:44:31 +0000 rbarbier1967 http://rjbweb.org/?p=631 Think outside the box, push the boundaries set by society and be the creative force you were born to be. Einstein, Edison and Tesla are some of the greatest minds known in recent history. What made them such Geniuses and creative forces? Mainly the fact they thought outside the known boundaries of logic and science. They pushed the envelope and did not get held back by the main stream scientific views of the time. Many times in our past we have had so-called truths and facts in the scientific community that if accepted and not challenged would have kept us as a species in the dark ages. Look how at one time we believed the world was flat and that the universe rotated around earth. Both ideals were so strongly believed that until a few great thinkers dared to think outside the box and beyond the borders set by their society and time to see that both were not factual at all.

It is mans ability to be imaginative as well as creative that gives him the ability to reach higher and go farther than any other species that is on this planet. Our tendency to be tribal and our unique skill of language that gives us the potential of doing such great and wondrous things. But our Societal / collective mentality can sometimes be a burden because of the cultural belief system and the boundaries it sets. Individuality is a good thing when it comes to creativity and imagination. It is hard to break away from the herd or tribal mentality, it usually comes with some ridicule along with the possibility of being looked at as a outcast. If you don’t adhere to the norm of society then you will not be accepted, but then if you discover new truths and are able to introduce them to the tribe then you will be hailed as a sort of leader. But then being accepted by ones peers may be nice it is nothing but food for the ego, and though the ego is a necessary part of ones psyche it is not the most important.

Think outside the box, Swim against the tide and walk to the beat of your own drum. Be the next Tesla,Einstein or Edison and bring light to the hidden truths and facts yet to be discovered. Debunk the false truths as well as the theories that are based on misconceptions. Utilize the full potential of what you were born with and become the person you were destined to be.

Raymond Barbier

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]]> http://rjbweb.org/2012/01/05/think-outside-the-box-swim-against-the-tide/feed/ 0 New year, New Way? http://rjbweb.org/2011/12/31/new-year-new-way/ http://rjbweb.org/2011/12/31/new-year-new-way/#comments Sat, 31 Dec 2011 18:08:45 +0000 rbarbier1967 http://rjbweb.org/?p=621 p10174 With New Years upon us it is once again to make new years resolutions. We all could make those unrealistic promises to ourselves that we know deep in our hearts we will not even try to fulfill or even set goals that we will strive for that are impossible to reach. The sad part of resolutions such as those is that when we fail to complete or uphold them we have the sense of failure which isn’t a good thing to start the year off with. Best to either set simple and achievable goals for your new years resolutions or ones that will not bring certain failure. We all want to make a resolution that will either improve our selves or the lives of others so to start the year off with a positive note. Most change is enacted through a series of steps not one giant leap, so remember to make a resolution that can be planed out as a day by day plan. To arrive at any destination one must take the first step and be willing to follow through with every step afterwards till they reach the end. There is no shortcuts to self-improvement or change. The fist step forward usually consists of forgiving yourself of the mistakes of the past as well as the mistakes of others. If you can not leave the past in its own time then you will find it very hard to move forward if even exist in the present. Learn from your past mistakes and don’t live in their shadows for they will block the light that you deserve to live in. Start your new year off with a clean slate for both yourself and others, for each day we wake is another chance to do what is right and live in the light of our creator. For his son died on the cross and through his blood we are washed clean of our past sins so we can live free as well as seek to become more Christ like in our every day life. To feel remorse for your sins is what you do before you pray to be forgiven and not what you do after the sin is washed away. To carry the shame and pain of a past sin is to hold on to the sin itself, if you believe in the mercy of our lord then the sin is no longer yours to carry. So leave your sins of the past in the past and leave the path ahead in the hands of the lord. Forgive, be forgiven and move forward knowing that you do not walk alone in this world. One of the greatest new years resolution one can have is to surrender to the will of the Father and follow the teachings of his only begotten son. Learn to be tolerant of the beliefs of others for they have the right to choose the path they walk in life as well as the religion they practice. Just learn to love all of your brothers and sisters on this great planet earth we have been blessed to live on and cherish its beauty. No matter what resolution you make on this new year I pray that you find peace and prosperity in this new year of 2012. May our politicians wake up to see the mess that our house is in and let them find the wisdom to put aside their differences to do what is best for both our planet and our species.

 

May God bless Mankind and guide us in this new year.

Raymond Barbier

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