The Paradox of Life

After Desiderata, another profound work that is popular is The Paradox of Life. There are two persons who could be the author but this could not be confirmed. However, this work is widely, and erroneously, said to be authored by George Carlin. Those who are familiar with Carlin’s work usually react with amazement that he could write something so beautiful and profound yet believe he is the author.

I have told a number of people that this is not written by George Carlin. An anthropology professor in an Australian university, who always verify her research sources, also attribute this erroneously to Carlin. When told Carlin is not the author, these people usually react the same way - there is a nagging instinct that Carlin wouldn’t have written something like this, yet because there are so many instances/websites that said he did, they accepted it. This perhaps is the danger of the Net. When a piece of information, accurate or not, is circulated enough times, it somehow becomes the truth. I believe Wikipedia only requires that a piece of information be cited twice before being accepted as reliable.

Whilst there is still no conclusive evidence who the original author is, it is certainly not George Carlin. Why? Because the man said so himself. (For those not familiar with George Carlin, please be warned that clicking on the link will bring you to his website which, characteristic to his work, is filled with vulgar obscene expletives.)

Anyway, let’s enjoy and reflect on this.

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 good judgment; more experts, yet more problems; more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much and 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've 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 split 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 have higher incomes, but lower morals.

We've more food, but less appeasement.

We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

We've become long on quantity, but short on quality.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships.

These are the times of world peace, but domestic warfare; more leisure, but less fun; more kinds of food, but less nutrition.

These are the days of two incomes but more divorce; of fancier houses, but broken homes.

These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throw away 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.