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| Paradox of Our Age |
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| a_Silver_Rose |
| 07/21/03 at 02:07:16 |
| [center][color=Purple]Paradox of Our Age author unknown[/color][/center] [color=Teal]We have taller buildings, but shorter tempers; wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints; we spend more, but have less; we buy more, but enjoy it less. We have bigger houses and smaller families; more coveniences, but less time; we have more degrees, but less sense; more knowledge, but less judgment; more experts, but more problems; more medicine, but less wellness. We spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry too quickly, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too seldom, 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 lie 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 the 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; plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait; we have higher incomes; but lower morals; more food but less appeasement; more acquaintances, but fewer friends; more effort but less success. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but have less communication; we've become long on quantity, but short on quality. These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion; tall men, and short character; steep profits, and shallow relationships. These are the times of world peace, but domestic warfare; more leisure and less fun; more kinds of food, but less nutrition. These are days of two incomes, but more divorce; of 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 show window and nothing in the stockroom. [/color][color=Purple]Think about it. Read it again. Value and embrace your family, your faith, your friends, and your life dearly. [/color] |
| 07/21/03 at 02:20:18 |
| a_Silver_Rose |
| Re: Paradox of Our Age |
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| faisalsb |
| 07/21/03 at 03:50:02 |
| [slm] Well very precious words to remember, I think when things reach to the level when people have to take their breakfast while driving, have their lunch while replying to phone calls and e-mails, when they see themselves browsing Internet in their dreams, then we need to stop a bit and think does that much struggle for this materialistic world really worth? Once one colleague of mine told me a story I am not sure about it's authenticity but still it worth to be mentioned. Once an angle came to earth and he saw an old man living in a hut. He asked the old man why don't you make a house for you? He said I have almost spent all of my life now maximum 80-90 years are left so it doesn't worth to spend time on building house. (People used to have average age of many hundred years that time) The angle replied do you know one nation would come after you whose total age would be around 80-90 years and they would make such a big and stong houses as if they are going to live for thousands of years in it .............. |
| Re: Paradox of Our Age |
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| timbuktu |
| 07/22/03 at 09:26:04 |
| [slm] i will be posting two things here, DESIDERATA, & CONSIDERATA, plz compare: ===================================================== [center]D E S I D E R A T A[/center] Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your mind quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant. They, too, have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons. They are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humbhe; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of treachery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is perennial as grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labours and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. FOUND IN OLD ST. PAULS CHURCH, BALTIMORE; DATED 1692 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [center]C O N S I D E R A T A[/center] Always make a great noise and you will be noticed. Always shout the other fellow down, especially the dull and ignorant ------ they are not worth listening to. Always mix with loud and aggressive persons. Compare yourself constantly with others, and make sure you are on top. There will always be lesser persons than yourself to beat! Be careful in business, and make sure you crook the other person first. Be blind to virtue ------- it only covers the guilty heart. Dont be yourself. Be whatever is expedient. Be cynical about love. Dont give in to old age; keep pushing. You may be a child of the Universe, but the only right you have to be here is to carve yourself a niche at the expense of the next man. With all its glitter, money, palaces, flashy cars, fast women, smart clothes, good food and wine, the world is a pretty rotten place, so keep screwing it up; and, above all: Show a Profit! |
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