The paradox of our time

[keith]

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways, 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 and watch TV too much. 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 added years to life not life 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, 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.

HOW TO STAY YOUNG

1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctor worry about them. That is why you pay him/her.

2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.

3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle. " An idle mind is the devil's workshop." And the devil's name is Alzheimer's.

4. Enjoy the simple things.

5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.

6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love, whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever; your home is your refuge.

8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, to the next county, to a foreign country, but NOT to where the guilt is.

10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. If you don't send this to at least 8 people.... who cares?

[keith]

Beautiful sentiments, my friends.

Right?

I got this in a chain email this evening. It was attributed to George Carlin. Carlin is funny but cynical, and I couldn't see this being from him. So I searched some. Found this many times, attributed to Carlin. Then found it attributed to a Columbine High School student.

Searched some more. Found sites that said this was falsely attributed to Carlin and falsely credited to a Columbine High Schooler. Instead it was written by a minister.

Searched some more. Found this - don't look if you just want to think pleasantly about the essay above: Urban Legends Reference Pages: The Paradox of Our Time

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I print the essay in entirety for two reasons. One, the essay itself has become 'news' in my opinion. Two, the author invites us to pass it along in the last line.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Regards,
Keith

[MrKhay]

I thought I heard Carlin do this bit at the end of one of his HBO specials, or some such...on his website, he claims to have no connection.

I can believe a witness to the Columbine Massacre would be able to come up with these sentiments, but not as immediately after the incident as the writing appeared. The essay has a soothing effect, if you read it and take things into perspective.

To tell me that a child molesting minister penned it...I feel the need to do a planet check.
This is Earth, right?

[pk]

Perhaps the minister from inner guilt and confusion from his actions was looking for an escape or reason for how and why he did what he was accused of. Perhaps he is trying to think back to a more simpler time of which things were better in his mind and blames today's society for his actions. Looking to place blame.

When you go back and re-read the piece with thoughts of a distrubed person that has commited a terrible crime witing this, you see new things come out in the writing for example:

"We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness."


"We conquered outer space but not inner space"




Whatever is the reason behind the words when reading them now it does show how the world has changed, the people have changed. how selfish needs are growing and no one is enjoying life as we should.

Interesting piece and I thank you Keith for all the investigating you did into it's past.

pk