Saturday, November 17, 2007

The Wise Words of George Carlin


***Picture was taken today of driftwood on the beach by my house, just as sunset enveloped us***

I thought this worth repeating, even though most of you have probably seen/heard it before.

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, 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.

7 comments:

  1. Very wise advice, www. If only we would all slow down, give ourselves fewer deadlines, not worry so much about doing our duty, and take some time off to just relax and work out what are the really important things in life, we'd all be a lot happier. Reminds me of John Lennon's song Nowhere Man....

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi WWW

    I agree with Nick that's it's good advice, but there is so much pleasure in solitude, I'm almost glad to use the excuse to avoid other people.

    What is the picture of? I couldn't make it out.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Yes I agree Nick, we focus too much on all the unimportant stuff, it is like we don't give ourselves permission to just be and as you say, give ourselves time to work it all out - what do we need, anyway?.

    Hi Pants:
    The picture is of driftwood which I've not made clear on my description! I'm endlessly fascinated by what rolls in on the tide here.
    Yes I love my solitude 95% of the time but the 5% where I truly miss that "other" nearly does my head in at times.
    XO
    WWW

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh driftwood! Of course. If it's not obviously a dead albatross, it must be driftwood. How thick am I?

    xxx

    Pants

    ReplyDelete
  5. Gosh, pants, if it was a dead albatross it would have died a pretty grim death, stretched on a rack it looks like????
    XO
    WWW

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wow! Maybe it's because I'm British but this one has me confused. Is this the same George Carlin who said:

    "The real reason that we can’t have the Ten Commandments in a courthouse: You cannot post “Thou shalt not steal,” “Thou shalt not commit adultery,” and “Thou shalt not lie” in a building full of lawyers, judges, and politicians. It creates a hostile work environment."

    and:

    "I think everyone should treat one another in a Christian manner. I will not, however, be responsible for the consequences." ???

    I know of no other, but I've never before heard the words you quoted.

    ReplyDelete
  7. He's a strange bird, RJA. I was at a performance of his about 3 years ago in Toronto and he was actually abusive towards his audience. Contemptuous. Told us we weren't worth rehearsing for and he hadn't. We walked out at intermission.
    I like his recovering Catholic bits and this one in the post has been around for a while.
    I think he did a lot of his head in with hard drugs and alcohol.
    XO
    WWW

    ReplyDelete

Comments are welcome. Anonymous comments will be deleted unread.

Email me at wisewebwomanatgmaildotcom if you're having trouble.