Here’s a classic that seems to appear more and more realistic with every newspaper I read or television newscast I see. I first saw this definitive narrative on a poster hanging on the wall in the office of a CEO we were working with. You may want to read this one twice, share it with family and friends, and make a copy to hang on your own office wall before passing it on to a future leader!

The Paradox of Our Age by Dr. Bob Moorehead

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 common sense;

more knowledge, but less judgment;

more experts, yet more problems;

more medicine, but less wellness.

We 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 have higher incomes, but lower morals.

More acquaintances, but fewer friends.

More effort, but less success.

We build more computers to hold more information,
yet produce more copies than ever, and communicate less and less.

We’ve become long on quantity, but short on quality.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion;

big men and small 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 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 to 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.