Mr. Carlin Had It Right

Once again I'm sharing words that are not mine because, frankly, I can't say it better than George Carlin did. When I read this yesterday it spoke to my heart and has stuck with me. I think it's something everyone should read and give some thought. While best known for his gritty humor, Carlin was a very smart man. There is such truth here. He says to share the precious thoughts in your mind, I'm so glad he shared his and now I share them again through mine.

SOMETHING TO PONDER

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 to 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 those moments that take our breath away.

-George Carlin 

Thank you, Mr. Carlin. Maybe if more of us act in just such a way we can make the world a better place -- a place with less hate, jealousy, maliciousness, greed, and discontent. That is my hope. I wish you, my precious friends and readers, lives filled with hands to hold, moments of breathlessness, acts of kindness, and love that is shared. Peace.

My Favorite Doctor

This weekend marks the birthday of Theodor Geisel, a poet philosopher better known to the world as Dr. Seuss. His books are delightful to me: rhyming verse, sharp wit and humor, colorful and fantastical worlds, and characters like The Cat in the Hat and The Grinch. And thought the stories appeal to the youngest of children, many carry deep underlying messages and wisdom that resonates with us even as adults. Since I began reading at a very young age, this man from Springfield, MA (only a couple towns away from where I grew up in Southampton) influenced my own relationship with words from the start. 

From "there's a wocket in my pocket" to the song sung by the Whos on Christmas Day, I have always been entralled with Geisel's use of words, both those found in the dictionary and those he created. Those silly words that just feel right to say and how their use sparks such vivid imagery in your brain. The way he could turn a phrase and make it all come together in rhyme. His style and creativity inspire me and his quotes about life and love are some of my favorites. 

So, in honor of Dr. Seuss on his birthday, it seemed only appropriate that I sit down a pen a quick verse:

Words

Words are my favorite toys with to play.

I juggle them around in my head night and day.

I use them to paint. I use them to build.

Oh, the blank pages that my words have filled.

Jargon or slang, nonsensical or real, 

They describe what we see, think, and feel.

They all must come out. I can't keep them in.

Not to release them just seems a sin.

They are meant to be shared and meant to be read.

And most important of all, they are meant to be said.

Thank you for always inspiring me, Theodor Geisel. I will forever be in your debt for your part in awaking my love of language and showing me that even fun words can have meaning too. Happy Birthday.