Friday 27 January 2012

The paradox of our age

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Hello sweet Planetarians, all 461 of you (hello to all the newbies - why don't you introduce yourselves? We'd love to meet you!). Fingers crossed CommentLuv is working again after my last post as I've followed the suggestion of their kind Help Desk man - let's see. Just a quickie tonight - an abridged version of a quotation of the American pastor, Dr Bob Moorehead. I've bolded the ideas which resonate with me the most. 
The paradox of our age 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 yet less time.

We have more degrees but less sense; more knowledge but less judgement.
We have multiplied our possessions but reduced our values.
We've learned how to make a living but not a life.

We've added years to life but 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 neighbour.

We've conquered outer space but not inner space.

We've done larger things but not better things.

We've conquered the atom but not our prejudice.

We write more but learn less.

We plan more but accomplish less.
We have more acquaintances but fewer friends. 
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.
Remember to 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, speak and share the precious thoughts in your mind.
I'd love to hear which ones you can relate to. Do you think this is a fair summation of our lives at the start of the 21st century or do you find it glib? Do jump in and comment - let's share our thoughts!
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19 comments:

  1. I have this framed in my home - behind me now.
    It is a constant reminder to me to re-evaluate and re-prioritise when things get a little manic.
    :-) x

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  2. Well this has been timely for me - yesterday I enjoyed the company of my husband on a rare day off, the third in 2 years. Life doesn't have to be that busy, surely?! Give time to love so simple, so true.

    Thanks for sharing, Jane. How are things with you?

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  3. [Posted by Julienne via CommentLuv - I'm not sure why it's not appearing here!]

    4,5,8 and,14 and all, absolutely all of the remembers!

    Jane this is so true. may I pinch it for my blog? I should like to put it on a page to remind myself when I am in danger of becoming or doing any of those things that I so dislike. I do hope I am not!!!!!

    Heavens it is 1.00a.m so I hope this made sense!!!!!!! xxx

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  4. Following up....previous post gone.....these are all very salient reminders of what is important in life.

    it is also important to not beat yourself up about what you have done or have lived in the past. Hindsight is a wonderful thing. You just do the best you can in a world which tells you you should be this, look like this, have this etc. So I think it is important to value yourself as well as others x

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  5. so true, we need to aim for more people related things and less material related things

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  6. I like that, all of it xx

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  7. I soooo love this post and i ADORE that photo...

    The image of a red head with fair skin is one we saw so much in the Uk- but one I think the Australian media rarely embraces!

    I love this entire post sweet!

    Melissa xx

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  8. Reaching middle age as I have I can read through this list Jane and believe it is so very true.
    xx

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  9. Jane, this is so beautiful and true. We've learnt to really treasure our family time here. John is having a rare night off, so he, Bella and I are going out for a family breakfast tomorrow....yay!!
    And you know how I feel about holding hands.

    Lisa xx

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  10. I agree with all the 'remembers' but I'm not sure the list of comparisons is completely fair. I think there are so many people out there doing so many wonderful things. Yes we might have many more acquaintances than friends but our friends are still so very important. The points are all worth considering but it sort of makes our society and way of life a bit shallow looking but for many people I don't think it is. Oh by golly it's difficult expressing myself typing this one fingered on an iPod! X

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  11. Great sentiments. Thanks for sharing. Hope all is going well for you and your family at the moment too. x

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  12. Loving your varied thoughts on this one, ladies!

    @Shar Yet another example of how much in common we have!

    @Teresa Good for you! I don't think we've done that for about 5 years, come to think of it. Hmm, something to work on ☺.

    @Julienne Go for it! It's certainly not mine - enjoy using it.

    @Pen Exactly. It's taken me most of my 41 years to work that out and even then, I still can forget.

    @Deanne, @Jen and @Annie Nodding furiously!

    @Melissa Thanks, Sweets. Yes, she's quite captivating, I agree.

    @Lisa Well done, my friend - your priorities are fabulous.

    @Sarah Loving these insights, my friend. Hmm, I am also a bit dubious about some of the comparisons - they're very black and white which isn't my style. Life has many shades of grey.

    @Anna My pleasure! J x

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  13. It's worth considering, but many of those sentences are really very pessimistic and I am glad they are just prejudices (in my opinion) and not true!
    Jule

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  14. Hello Jane

    A wonderful post you have done.
    I love all of the points though the one that I always try to live by is;

    "Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again"

    I feel it incorporates a lot of the other points within it.

    I hope you are well and Mr P is doing ok too.


    Have a wonderful day,

    loulou, from hereiamloulou blog

    x

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  15. Oh no, i can comment here but not on your next post, i feel like your test comment case crash dummy, it's an adventure, love Posie

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  16. I love this Jane, thanks for sharing. I need to be reminded of lots of these.
    I know I have definitely learned to rush but not wait! Need to practice that a bit more!

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  17. @Jule I guess that given the author was a pastor, a lot of it was going to have quite a moralistic stance. I prefer the 'remembers' a lot more.

    @LouLou Yes, that's a pearler, I agree. Thanks for your kind thoughts.

    @Jennie I'm so sorry about this problem you're having, Jennie. I'm trying to fix it!

    @Nat Goodness, we're all works-in-progress - you're not alone ☺. J x

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  18. I agree with some of these things, but not others. x

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  19. @Bron Nodding in Hobart, Lovely. J x

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Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts, you gorgeous soul. You've just made my day! J x

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