Sunday 15 March 2009

The Paradox of our Time in History

Update:
I got this piece of gem in an e-mail which had attributed it's authorship to a comedian of the 70's and 80's, one George Carlin. However 2 other persons have also been credited, by different sources, with it's writing. Comment by Al-Manar refers.

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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 judgement, 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 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 neighbour. 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.

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 other people...Who cares?

George Carlin

5 comments:

Zendra-Maria said...

Me? I have thoughts but few words.
I have feelings but few expressions.
I have joy but little gaiety.
In short, I'm plain dull, but ..... I like it.

Anonymous said...

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.

Remember to make love as often as possible !,,,its good for the heart.

Capt

Zendra-Maria said...

What's good for his heart is good for my soul.;)

Good to see you Capt!

Al-Manar said...

I was interested in the The Paradox and was tempted to look for more information through Google. I found the following. I cerytainly do not know how correct the information given therein.

The Paradox of Our Time--George Carlin's Tribute to His Late Wife- Fiction!
The Truth
This has been circulating on the Internet for quite a while...long before September 11, and is not from George Carlin.
Those who know George Carlin's views would immediately know that the comments in "The Paradox of Our Time" do not match those of Carlin.
On his website at www.georgecarlin.com he denies authorship and criticizes the piece.
The rumor that these words were spoken on the occasion of the death of his wife are a recent addition to the eRumor, which began circulating about 1999.
There are many websites that quote from this now classic eRumor and identify it as having been written by Jeff Dickson in 1998.
Thanks to a tip from one of our readers, we have found the original author, however.
It is minister, author, and former pastor of Overlake Christian Church in Redmond, Washington.
In a response to an inquiry by TruthOrFiction.com, Dr. Moorehead said he wrote it in 1990.
It was later published in 1995 in his book WORDS APTLY SPOKEN

Zendra-Maria said...

Thanks Sheikh for being so resourceful. It just goes to show that we cannot swallow everything that's being churned out over the Net, can we?

Lesson learnt.