[Trayderjoe]

I was looking through one of my folders, and found this writing by George Carlin, that is so eloquent and appropriate even today:

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, 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 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.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

[Polar Bear]

Most of that goes without saying. That's why he said it.

[Villageswimmer]

...Amen. Thank you for a kind post.

[Northerner52]

George Carlin's The Paradox of Our Time-Fiction! - Truth or Fiction?

[Bay Kid]

Thank you!

[TNGary]

Much appreciated

[Boomer]

Originally Posted by Trayderjoe

I was looking through one of my folders, and found this writing by George Carlin, that is so eloquent and appropriate even today:

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, 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 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.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

Thank you for sharing this.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by Northerner52

George Carlin's The Paradox of Our Time-Fiction! - Truth or Fiction?

And for those who are wary of clicking on unknown links, the answer is: fiction.

The piece really was authored, but not by George Carlin. According to Snopes, Carlin was asked about it in an interview.

George Carlin very emphatically denied he had had anything to do with “Paradox,” a piece he referred to as “a sappy load of s##t,” and posted his comments about being associated with this essay on his own web site.

Also according to Snopes:

Credit belongs to Dr. Bob Moorehead, former pastor of Seattle’s Overlake Christian Church (who retired in 1998 after 29 years in that post). This essay appeared under the title “The Paradox of Our Age” in Words Aptly Spoken, Dr. Moorehead’s 1995 collection of prayers, homilies, and monologues used in his sermons and radio broadcasts...

Great piece, but wrongly attributed to a guy who protested against eloquence with his profanities. (I'm a Carlin fan - not judging, just stating facts here).

[Bucco]

Originally Posted by Jazuela

And for those who are wary of clicking on unknown links, the answer is: fiction.

The piece really was authored, but not by George Carlin. According to Snopes, Carlin was asked about it in an interview.


Also according to Snopes:



Great piece, but wrongly attributed to a guy who protested against eloquence with his profanities. (I'm a Carlin fan - not judging, just stating facts here).

Many are confused by facts and truth 😁

[Boomer]

Originally Posted by Jazuela

And for those who are wary of clicking on unknown links, the answer is: fiction.

The piece really was authored, but not by George Carlin. According to Snopes, Carlin was asked about it in an interview.


Also according to Snopes:



Great piece, but wrongly attributed to a guy who protested against eloquence with his profanities. (I'm a Carlin fan - not judging, just stating facts here).

Hi, Jazuela,

I looked up the attribution, too. I was not so sure about Carlin either so I checked. I wanted to think it could have been him because it is known that comedians, edgy or not, and humorists, like Twain, are among the most insightful people when it comes to human nature. I appreciate your checking, too, and also your fair comments here.

Anyway, I really like the words of wisdom in that piece of writing, shared here by our OP.

[Bucco]

Originally Posted by Boomer

Hi, Jazuela,

I looked up the attribution, too. I was not so sure about Carlin either so I checked. I wanted to think it could have been him because it is known that comedians, edgy or not, and humorists, like Twain, are among the most insightful people when it comes to human nature. I appreciate your checking, too, and also your fair comments here.

Anyway, I really like the words of wisdom in that piece of writing, shared here by our OP.

The real author, Dr. Bob Moorehead, is himself quite controversial and complicated.

[JimJohnson]

George Carlin was an atheist/free thinker which explains why he seemed more intelligent than most. He was not hindered by superstition.

[JimJohnson]

What George Carlin Believed About Religion

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by Bucco

The real author, Dr. Bob Moorehead, is himself quite controversial and complicated.

I just checked out the Wikipedia on the church (the only entry for him, singularly, talks about the Paradox piece and nothing else). Sad and hurtful to have people in "authority" doing inappropriate things and using their authority to gain the trust of their future victims.

The message itself, however, the piece he wrote, is still eloquent, and hits home on several levels. He probably would've benefited more if he'd believed in, and complied with his own writing.

[Bucco]

Originally Posted by Jazuela

I just checked out the Wikipedia on the church (the only entry for him, singularly, talks about the Paradox piece and nothing else). Sad and hurtful to have people in "authority" doing inappropriate things and using their authority to gain the trust of their future victims.

The message itself, however, the piece he wrote, is still eloquent, and hits home on several levels. He probably would've benefited more if he'd believed in, and complied with his own writing.

Words sound great....Author, not even good.

Old saying about "actions speak louder than words" nailed it firmly.