todays paradox

the paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings. but shorter tempers. wider freeways. 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 reckless. 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 have learned how to make a living. but not a life. we have added years to life not life to years. we have 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 have done larger things. but not better things. we have cleaned up the air. but polluted the soul. we have conquered the atom. but not our prejudice. we write more. but learn less. we plan more. but accomplish less. we have 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. give time to love. give time to speak. give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind. by g. carlin