controller.php

<?php

private function save($request, $user = null) {

    $status = "update";

    if (! $user) {
        $user = new User;
        $status = "create";
    }

    $user->name = $request->input('name');
    $user->email = $request->input('email');

    if ($request->has('password')) {
        $user->password = bcrypt($request->input('password'));
    }

    if ($user->save()) {
        session()->flash('status', 'User '.$status.'d successfully');
        return redirect(route('users'));
    }

    session()->flash('status', 'Unable to '.$status.' user. Please try again');
    return back()->withInput();
}