The Contradiction of Our Times

This weekend while partaking in America's favorite past time ... No, not the polka, some JVs and I got to go to an Astros game (thanks to the Casa de Esparanza donor for the tickets). Totally unrelated to the game, we started to have a conversation about "Happiness."  Some of this stems from my roommate Emily who is reading a book on said Topic... We both vaguely remembered hearing/reading a reflection on the "contradictions" in our lives.... after a good-old-google- search... I  was able to find it on the intrawebs... it reads as follows..

The Contradictions of Our Times

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 litle, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too
late, get up too tired, watch TV too much, and pray to
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 neighbour.

We conquered outerspace 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 the 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 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 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.