Thursday Thought: George Carlin on Life

One of my favorite comedians of all time. I just found a letter he wrote after his wife died. I know it’s long piece, but I think we should all take a moment to read it.

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 to 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,throw away 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.

-George Carlin

By the way, if you haven’t already, watch this old video. It’s a classic.

Thursday Thought: Ben Franklin on Writing

“Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing.” – Ben Franklin

Definitely worth thinking about. I wish I was a better writer… that’ll be one of my goals for 2014.

I’m 34, and my dad told me that the next 10 years will be the most important of my career. The time I invest into my career could potentially define how I’ll affect the world, my industry and my personal life. It will also determine other things like whether I can retire early and get out of the rat race. It’s time to make some big things happen in 2014. My goal will be to become a better writer, in addition to doing some things that are worth reading about.

Hat tip: Fahad

Thursday Thought: Top 5 Regrets People Make on Their Deathbed

1. I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.

2. I wish I didn’t work so hard.

3. I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.

4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.

5. I wish that I had let myself be happier.

Man, I’m still working at the office… been a friggen long week. Exciting stuff on the way—so stay tuned. Heh.

Read more here.

Thursday Thought: Unanswered Questions

TED Curator Chris Anderson shares his boyhood obsession with quirky questions that seem to have no answers.

I remember watching this a while ago. It’s always a humbling reminder to explore these kinds of questions… even if they’re kind of nutty.

1. How many universes are there?

2. Why can’t we see evidence of alien life?