OT- George Carlin

[chinadave2001]

This was sent to me today...I thought some of you might like it as well.

Chinadave

 

A wonderful Message 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, 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 spouse 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.

 

HOW TO STAY YOUNG

1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and

height. Let the doctor worry about them. That is why you pay him/her.

 

2. Keep only cheerful friends.. The grouches pull you down.

 

3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening,

whatever. Never let the brain idle. " An idle mind is the devil's

workshop."

And the devil's name is Alzheimer's.

 

4. Enjoy the simple things.

 

5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.

 

6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person

who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.

 

7. Surround yourself with what you love, whether it's family, pets,

keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.

 

8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is

unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

 

9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, to the next

county, to a foreign country, but NOT to where the guilt is.

 

10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every

opportunity.

 

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 at least 8 people.... who cares?

-George Carlin

[Mick]

I think this is the part that I relate to the most:

 

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.

 

It certainly speaks to the conditions I witness around me on a near daily basis. What was it Thoreau said so long ago: "Most men lead lives of quiet desperation". I think it is time we slowed down a bit, take stock of things, go within, and find a little peace. Hard to forge a positive future from an unbalanced present.

 

But then, as many of you know, I am a firm believer in meditation and spending some quiet time everyday. Seems whenever I do this, it makes everything run more smoothly, even on days when things don't go so well. Well, those are my random thoughts.

 

Thanks for posting Dave.

[se_lang]

But then, as many of you know, I am a firm believer in meditation and spending some quiet time everyday.

Mick

Do you have kids? cause quiet and kids don't go in the same home and the only thing I meditate on is how to keep them from arguing.

 

But I agree time alone is nice.

[Mick]

But then, as many of you know, I am a firm believer in meditation and spending some quiet time everyday.

Mick

Do you have kids? cause quiet and kids don't go in the same home and the only thing I meditate on is how to keep them from arguing.

 

But I agree time alone is nice.

Li is presently three months pregnant with the baby due on May 13. No doubt my quiet time will come before that. I do have another child, a daughter age 17. Even when she was a baby, I was able to get in about twenty minutes meditation on most days. I'm pretty flexible, so I guess I will find a way to work it all out.

 

My grandfather had eleven kids. He used to get up at 3 AM everyday for his quiet time.

[se_lang]

3AM but then with that many kids he probably had to. I guess one of the benefits of having a better half around is they can run interference for you while you take your time, I will have that also, sometime in the near future in the mean time I just go gray and bald

 

Good luck with your new one on the way, how does it feel to be a father agian of a new born after so many years, I am sure I will find out once my MM gets settled in here.

[owenkrout]

But then, as many of you know, I am a firm believer in meditation and spending some quiet time everyday.

Mick

Do you have kids? cause quiet and kids don't go in the same home and the only thing I meditate on is how to keep them from arguing.

 

But I agree time alone is nice.

Li is presently three months pregnant with the baby due on May 13. No doubt my quiet time will come before that. I do have another child, a daughter age 17. Even when she was a baby, I was able to get in about twenty minutes meditation on most days. I'm pretty flexible, so I guess I will find a way to work it all out.

 

My grandfather had eleven kids. He used to get up at 3 AM everyday for his quiet time.

I attribute much of my being able to relax and accept that China was not America to taking the time to meditate. When the Foreign Affairs Officer was not being cooperative (again) it was the best thing to do. Its a survival tactic to me as well as a spiritual boost.

[Guest bbridges51]

What a beautiful essay by a great wit.

 

Thanks so much for posting.

 

Brian

[Mick]

3AM    but then with that many kids he probably had to. I guess one of the benefits of having a better half around is they can run interference for you while you take your time, I will have that also, sometime in the near future  in the mean time I just go gray and bald 

 

Good luck with your new one on the way, how does it feel to be a father agian of a new born after so many years, I am sure I will find out once my MM gets settled in here.

It feels strange, surprising, but very exciting. I am certain it will be even more so as the due date draws nearer.