the paradox

"The paradox 
of our time in history is that 

we have taller buildings 

but shorter tempers,

w i d e r   F r e e w a y s, 

but narrower viewpoints.

 

We spend more,

but have less,

we buy more,

but enjoy less.

 We have bigger houses

and smaller families,

more conveniences,

but less time.

We have more degrees

but less sense,

more knowledge,

but less judgment, 

more experts,

yet more problems,  
more medicine,

but less wellness.

We drink too much,
smoke too much, 

Spend too recklessly,

 laugh too little, 

drive too fast, 

get too angry, 

stay up too late, 

get up too tired, 

read too little, 

watch TV too much, 

                                                                             and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, 

but reduced our values. 

We talk too much,

 love too seldom,
and hate too often.
 

We've learned how to make a living, 

but not a life. 

We've   a d d e d  y e a r s  to life

n o t  l i f e  to years. 

We've been 
all the way to the moon and back, 

but have trouble 
crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. 

We conquered outer space 

but not inner space. 

We've done larger things, 

but not better things. 
 

We've cleaned up the air, 

but polluted the soul. 

We've conquered the atom, 

but not our prejudice. 

We write more, 

but learn less. 

We plan more, 

but accomplish less. 

We've learned to rush, 

                                                                         but not to wait. 

We build more computers to hold more information, 

to produce more copies than ever, 

but we communicate less and less. 

These are the times of fast foods

and slow digestion, 

big men 

and small character, 

steep profits 

and shallow relationships.

 These are the days of two incomes 

but more divorce, 

fancier houses, 

                              but broken homes. 

These are days of quick trips, 

 disposable diapers, 

throwaway morality,

 one night stands, 

overweight bodies, 

and pills that do everything

 from cheer, to quiet, to kill. 

It is a time when
there is much in the showroom window

 and nothing in the stockroom. 

A time when technology can bring this letter to you, 

and a time when you can choose 

either to share this insight, 

or to just hit delete. 

 

Remember 

to spend some time with your loved ones, 

because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, 

say a kind word to someone

 who looks up to you in awe, 

 because that little person soon will grow up

 and leave your side. 

Remember, 

to give a warm hug 

to the one next to you, 

because that is the only treasure

 you can give with your heart 

and it doesn't cost a cent.

  Remember, to say, 

'I love you' 

to your partner and your loved ones, 

but most of all mean it.                    

A kiss and an embrace                   

 will mend hurt when it comes          

from deep inside of you.                

Remember

 to hold hands and cherish the moment 

for someday that person 

will not be there again.

Give time to love, 

give time to speak! 

And give time to share the 

precious thoughts in your mind.

 

And always remember, 

life is not measured 

by the number of breaths we take, 

but by those moments 

that take our breath away."

-George Carlin

 

George Carlin's wife died early in 2008 and George followed her, dying in July 2008. It is ironic George Carlin - comedian of the 70's and 80's - could write something so very eloquent and so very appropriate.


.Haily.