Tag: George Carlin

Truth be Known…

The astute observer of my blog entries will notice that the previous article has been edited and the attribution of the piece removed.

A dear friend, who was quicker on the uptake than I was, alerted me to the fact that, on checking with Snopes (https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/the-paradox-of-our-time/) the piece I attributed to George Carlin was, in fact, disclaimed by him and not attributable to any number of other purported authors whose names were associated with authoring it.

Snopes says:

        “The true author of the piece isn’t George Carlin, Jeff Dickson, or the Dalai Lama, nor is he anonymous. Credit belongs to Dr. Bob Moorehead, former pastor of Seattle’s Overlake Christian Church (who retired in 1998 after 29 years in that post). This essay appeared under the title “The Paradox of Our Age” in Words Aptly Spoken, Dr. Moorehead’s 1995 collection of prayers, homilies, and monologues used in his sermons and radio broadcasts”

I stand corrected, and am a little peeved with myself that I failed the ‘test’ of reprinting something without verifying its veracity. It is a good lesson for all of us who receive the forwards from well-intentioned family/friends/acquaintances to check them out before sending them on — or posting them to your blog!

We are maybe a little too quick to accept that what we receive is truth when, in fact, it borders on fiction.

How much of what is seen online, in the news headlines, or through other media, is really what it represents itself to be? And, how much of what we read can we rely on, without questioning it? A good lesson in caution to not believe everything we read…from any source, without checking it out.

A lesson learned.

Wisdom of the Ages, for Today…

The Paradox of our time…

            
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.
AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:
Life is not measured by the number
of breaths we take,
but by the moments
that take our breath away.