WORDS WORTH THE READ!

[randissimo]

As it turns out, George Carlin did not write this piece.. This has been pointed out by Big Wheel with a link to a website that also has a link directly to George Carlin's site.. (Scroll further down to Big Wheels post)...

Credit belongs with Dr. Bob Moorehead, former pastor of Seattle's Overlake Christian Church. (He retired in 1998 after 29 years in that post). The 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:

It's still worth reading...

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.

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we

take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

HOW TO STAY YOUNG

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

height.

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

Edited September 24, 2003 by randissimo

[RonF]

Very nice! One of my favorite people! B)

[jacman]

amen

[connoisseur series500]

Very nice and all that, Randy, but do you realize that you are taking everyone's attention away from the day's burning question: "what do you read on the toilet?"

I mean, there's a time and a place for everything, you know.

[Big Wheel]

Don't mean to rain on the parade, but these words were not actually penned by George Carlin--see here for details.

[randissimo]

Don't mean to rain on the parade, but these words were not actually penned by George Carlin--see here for details.

Thanks Big wheel... I didn't know this... I just dug the message and wanted to share it with ya'll..

[doubleM]

No, but Carlin did pen this: "Fuck Soccer Moms". That always makes me chuckle.

[Joe G]

The story behind the essay is perhaps more interesting than the essay itself.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Re: soccer moms, the new demographic being courted by politicians these days are "Nascar dads"!!!

[connoisseur series500]

Don't mean to rain on the parade, but these words were not actually penned by George Carlin--see here for details.

Thanks Big wheel... I didn't know this... I just dug the message and wanted to share it with ya'll..

Well I'll have you know, Mr. Randissimo, that my competing thread, "what do you read on the toilet" has apparently attracted more early traffic than your thread has.

Trash always beats out substance.

[randissimo]

Don't mean to rain on the parade, but these words were not actually penned by George Carlin--see here for details.

Thanks Big wheel... I didn't know this... I just dug the message and wanted to share it with ya'll..

Well I'll have you know, Mr. Randissimo, that my competing thread, "what do you read on the toilet" has apparently attracted more early traffic than your thread has.

Trash always beats out substance.

Why I oughta!

In case you don't know, Organissimo is back at the Bird Of Paradise Oct 10 & 11...