THE PARADOX OF OUR AGE

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Robert Marshall Moorehead

September 15, 1921 - April 28, 2016

The Paradox of Our Age was written by Dr. Bob Moorehead, former pastor of Seattle's Overlake Christian Church. Dr. Moorehead retired in 1998 after 29 years in that post.

The essay above appeared in 'Words Aptly Spoken,' Dr. Moorehead's 1995 collection of prayers, homilies, and monologues used in his sermons and radio broadcasts.

The essay has been variously attributed to George Carlin, the Dalai Lama, an unnamed Columbine High School student, and Anonymous.

George Carlin emphatically denied he had had anything to do with "Paradox," a piece he referred to as "a sappy load of shit.”

Give me Bob Moorehead’s words over Carlin’s when it comes to the essay below.

What do other’s think? Send me an email.

(By way of balance, the following is from Wikipedia:

Moorehead resigned as pastor of Overlake Christian Church in 1998 as a result of accusations of sexual assaults on younger men. Moorehead led the church for 28 years but resigned in 1998 after several men came forward saying he had touched them inappropriately, in a sexual manner, against their will years ago. In 1999 the Elders of Overlake Christian Church declared[1] that Moorehead was indeed guilty of having non-consentually sexually fondled male church members, based on new evidence which had come to their attention.

https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Bob_Moorehead )

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THE PARADOX OF OUR AGE

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 it 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, but 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 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 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 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. 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 have less real communication. 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, but 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; 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.

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