Something to ponder? Sorry for the long post!
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SOMETHING TO PONDER: 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. An observation by George Carlin:
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 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'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. An observation by George Carlin:
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 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.
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Replies
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Thank you for sharing that - it was a good reminder
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Love this, always loved him.
I thought he died before his wife. She published a book of his love letters, notes, and ramblings to her. It was a completely different side to him, he was very sweet and romantic.0 -
he may have been a dirty mouthed comedian, but really did know how to put things in perspective. 0
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Hmmm interesting...The fact that i read this thread at the same time "Free falling" from Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers plays on the radio. What grabs me is the meaning behind the thread"s message, and I tie this song strongly to my most favorite uncle who died at an early age in his 40's back in 1998. So full of life and everything he left behind.
Here's to family....Cheers0 -
good post0
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Thanks for this Matt! I remember hearing him say this and the impact it had on me at the time...and still does!
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no need to apologize for the length. we needed every word 0
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Exactly This. You deserve a hug, OP! 0
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Awesome. And such a great reminder about everything that really is importent.
M0 -
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This is beautiful. A worthwhile reminder.0
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Very eloquent and relevant. Thank you for sharing.0
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My son has this printed out and hung on his wall. He is a teacher.0
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Great essay!!! But George Carlin didn't write it http://www.snopes.com/politics/soapbox/paradox.asp0
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I somehow doubt that this is entirely from Carlin... He was very sharp on noticing and eloquently point the flaws, but the "fairy tale" ending and recommendations at the end seem way out of character.. Especially the part about "share or delete", the kind of guilt-charged BS that comes with every cute chain letter ever. I am almost surprised there is no mention of how many people I need to share it with to get my wish come true!
However, the first portion is very Carlin-esque, thanks for sharing 0 -
Thanks for the reminder! :flowerforyou:
eta: To me, it doesn't matter who wrote the essay....it is something that I needed to read. Thanks again!0 -
George was our modern day Socrates.
He nails it, and that life he describes is not mine, but it used to be.
No more of that...RIP GC :drinker:0 -
made me a little weepy...good and true words0
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That's really beautiful! Thanks for sharing 0
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"The problem with internet quotations is that it's hard to know if they are properly attributed."
-Abraham Lincoln
http://web.archive.org/web/20040930232902/http://www.georgecarlin.com/home/dontblame.html0
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