Tuesday, February 10, 2004: 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 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, 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.

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.

A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when
you can choose to either share this insight, or to just hit delete.