The Paradox Of Our Time & Then Some...

Thanks to puffeye who pointed out the wrong attribution, I only think its fair to mention that the passage was written by someone else. I know if I was the one who wrote it, I'd be pretty pissed off if it was attributed to someone else. So I did some digging, and initially it was circulated as something penned by a student who witnessed the Columbine shootings back in 1999, which was totally untrue.

Next it was attributed to the great comedian George Carlin, which was understandable because Carlin talks the same way some of the time. To be fair, Carlin has emphatically denied that he has written the passage, and true to form, he said the piece was a "sappy load of shit" (lol).

The true author was Dr Bob Moorehead, a former pastor of Seattle's Overlake Christian Church. The essay appeared as The Paradox Of Our Age in Words Aptly Spoken - which was Moorhead's 1995 collection of prayers, homilies and monologues used in his sermons and radio broadcasts.

However, one may be moved to write by the Spirit at a certain point in time but may not be at other times. Moorhead's was also accused by 17 congregation members for having sexually assaulted them. This led to his resignation as the pastor for the church in 1998. The church elders concluded later on that Moorehead was guilty as accused of the charges.

The fact that he has fallen by the wayside should not detract from the message within the essay. Christians are not people who know how not to sin. They just know they have a relationship with Jesus and have to walk close with him to stay on the path. Time and again, even Christians will stray from the path. I hope he has climbed back onto the path. You all know the "cast the first stone" passage ...

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.