thought – Dovestar

Somedays I just sit here and reminisce about my younger years, the passion I once had, the dreams I had, and how time has eroded most of that away. I look back and see how many opportunities I let slip by me and the results of missing those opportunities affect my current life. Too many what-ifs plague my mind at times and that takes away from my ability to make better choices in the present moment. Though I am aging and am slowed down physically due to some poor choices I have made, I still try to continue on this path before me.

To the young, I say take the risks when you can, they may pay off in the future. Live in the moment but remember to prepare for the future ahead of you. Shrug off any fear you may have, it only holds you back and keeps you from moving forward and possibly keeps you from the gifts laying before you. It is far better to try and fail than to regret never trying later on in life, and most of all plan for retirement from the very start.

Life is not as long as you think it is when you are young, it will pass you by in a flash and you will find yourself wishing you had done far more while you were young and able. Also, the older you get the less people seem to respect you or care about your well-being it seems. Unfortunately, this world is too indifferent toward the needs and wants of the older population. Too many see older people as disposable and rather turn a blind eye to them and their issues than care for and celebrate them and their life and contributions to the world we now live in.

Do not let life pass you by and leave you on the roadside like litter, plan and be prepared for the so-called golden years ahead of you. They will sneak up on you way faster than you could possibly imagine. Have compassion for those who were blessed enough to make it to the later years of life and respect them as well. The older generation happens to be the people who helped build the world you live in today.

Ray Barbier

Why all the stigma around mental health? Why do people have to be so cruel to those that just need a little help? We all need a little help now and then (even if some folks won’t ever admit it). There is no shame in admitting you need help and asking for it is the best thing to do. Life can be quite challenging at times, and our hearts and minds can be somewhat fragile at times as well. Getting help shows courage and demonstrates you have the strength to do what is needed to move forward in your life.

We face so much negativity in life, and a good part of it is during our youth, during the years we are developing our emotional and mental makeup and forming our personality as well. School years can be both the most wonderful and also the most dangerous time for us as individuals. During those years we form social bonds and face opposition from others in the form of bullying and social stereotyping. This is when we tend to gain many emotional and mental scars and problems. If we do not learn to overcome them eventually they just get worse as we age.

With all the suicides and gun violence and other forms of violence on the rise, it should be very apparent there is a need for more extensive mental health programs for all ages. Parents and teachers alike should be more observant and responsive to signs of depression, being bullied, and psychotic behavior. If we can catch a lot of the problems early we may avert the negative outcome that many may have to experience later in their lives. More has to be done both on the local and federal levels to make mental health services easier and more affordable to access so we can get a handle on this mental health problem our nation is facing.

Just remember the next time you see someone who needs help don’t just laugh at them or ignore them, instead try to help them find the help they need.

Ray Barbier