Saturday, January 19, 2013

A Message From Geroge Carlin of All People

















Note: Peeps, Pam (from Postcards From Pam and Larry) made a comment that Geroge did not say this.  She is correct and George did make the comment Pam referenced and he did not author this.   

As far as I know this is Pam’s first visit that I can remember (which isn’t saying much because I usually have a hard time remembering what I had for breakfast.)  If so, welcome to the coffeypot, Pam, and come back anytime.

Anycorrecton, after her comment I went to Snopes to see if there was anything there…because we all know that anything in Snopes is Gospel.  And there it was.  George Carlin and several others (including a kid from Columbine) have been given credit for this.  But the author is Dr. Bob Moorehead.

Dr. Moorehead is the former pastor of Seattle’s Overlake Christian Church and he published the essay in his book of prayers, homilies, and monologues used in his sermons and broadcasts titled “The Paradox of Our Age” published in 1995.

My apologies, but you have to admit, it does sound like George Carlin.


George Carlin (see above - duh) was man of many views and attitudes.  All his life he had a difficult time following the status quo.   He had a rocky relationship with his mother and often ran away from home.  He later joined the United States Air Force and was trained as a radar technician.  He was stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City, Louisiana, but did not complete his Air Force enlistment.  Labeled an "unproductive airman" by his superiors, Carlin was discharged on July 29, 1957.  During his time in the Air Force he was court martialed three times, and also received many disciplinary punishments.

Isn't it amazing that George Carlin could write something so very eloquent...and so very appropriate?
 
A Message by George Carlin:

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; 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
 

12 comments:

lotta joy said...

This was actually said in one of his acts. Not only did he write well, he remembered every word while on the stage sweating and staring at the audience.

DFW said...

Coffepot,

Thank you for sharing this.

Old NFO said...

And it's ALL true too!!!

NavyOne said...

He was a radar tech? Wow, did not know. . .

Unknown said...

I loved that guy. Wise, funny, and just a little bit crazy.

GunDiva said...

He was a smart man.

Kristy said...

I agree with what he wrote . All so true

Pam said...

George Carlin didn't write this. In fact, when asked if he wrote it, he called it "a sappy pile of sh-t."

Coffeypot said...

Peeps, Pam (from Postcards From Pam and Larry) is correct. George did say that and he did not author this.

After her comment I went to Snopes to see if there was anything there…because we all know that anything in Snopes is Gospel. And there is was. George Carlin and several others (including a kid from Columbine) have been given credit for this. But the author is Dr. Bob Moorehead.

Dr. Moorehead is the former pastor of Seattle’s Overlake Christian Church and he published the essay in his book of prayers, homilies, and monologues used in his sermons and broadcasts titled “The Paradox of Our Age” published in 1995.

My apologies, but you have to admit, it does sound like George Carlin.

Pam said...

Thanks for the welcome. I'm glad you took my correction in the spirit it was intended. I was trying not to sound snotty or "trollish."

Coffeypot said...

Pam, I don't mind being corrected. It's not the first time either. I usually check on some of the non-joke things I publish...

But it does sound like George.

That Janie Girl said...

It does sound like George.

I like it.

And we should.