I received this message from a friend recently, and thought it worth sharing... puts things into perspective.

Enjoy the reflections...



A wonderful Message by "Unknown"
=====================================

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.

- by "Unknown".

====================

Mike,

Can you nuke this turkey? I don't have my moderator powers in this off-topic forum...

Edited note: there was a forum spammer (thus my request).

I forgot to add you ... ooops!

Is that really Carlin? Sounds a tad syrupy.

Don't know - I received it as an email, but I have no reason to doubt the person who sent it.

In the end, does it matter who wrote it?

Nope!

In the end nothing matters. Which is either really cool, or a total bummer. I haven't figured that out yet.

It's just that I "grew up" with Carlin, (ten years old when my really cool and somewhat dangerous neighbor let me listen to the "Class Clown" Album--man did I think I was hip!)and it sounded slightly "off-key" to me.

Kind of like someone crediting a piece of copy to Halbert, or Bencivenga. If you've studied the stuff, you may not be able to tell by "ear" if it is theirs, but you can probably say if it isn't. (Does that even make sense?)

Any how, here's what I got by googling Carlin, and the first couple of lines to the original post--

From http://www.xdude.com/paradox.htm :

"Origins: In
May 1998, Jeff Dickson posted the 'Paradox of Our Time' essay to his Hacks-R-Us online forum, loosing it upon the Internet. The essay has since been attributed to comedian George Carlin, an unnamed Columbine High School student, and that most prolific of scribes, Anonymous.

George Carlin very emphatically denied he had had anything to do with "Paradox," a piece he referred to as "a sappy load of ****," (don't know if I'd go that far--Andy)and posted his comments about being associated with this essay on his own web site.

The true author of the piece is neither George Carlin nor Jeff Dickson, nor is he anonymous. Credit belongs with Dr. Bob Moorehead, former pastor of Seattle's Overlake Christian Church...."

I think it's interesting how stuff get's passed around on the web. There was a graduation speech--supposedly by Vonnegut--that was going around a few years ago. Something about wearing sunscreen. It was a good piece, just not by Vonnegut..another favorite of mine.

Thanks for the clarification Andy.

You just brought back some memories. I too listened to Carlin growing up... didn't he have a routine that talked about the refrigerator?

"Meat Cake"... I remember laughing my head-off... very funny stuff.

Anyway, to be honest, I wasn't really interested in who the author was - in fact, when I posted it - though I recognized the name "George Carlin", I couldn't remember who he was. My mind kept trying to place him as a writer - but nothing was coming up... (it's been a very long time since I have heard him).

I just thought the reflections had merit and were worth sharing.

I've edited out George's name - and replaced it with "Unknown".

All the best,

Tim