THE PARADOX OF OUR TIME IN HISTORY

THE PARADOX OF OUR TIME IN HISTORY

Jeff Dickson penned an intriguing essay about contemporary times and how utterly paradoxical they can be.  To be transparent, I saw some of ‘me’ and ‘mine’ while perusing it, so I will take the appropriate actions and make the requisite course corrections.  Read it, ponder it and see if you can identify any personal growth edges because all of us need an occasional look in the mirror to foster meaningful development.

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 it 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, but more problems; More medicine, but less wellness. 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 our lives, not life to our years. We’ve been all the way to the moon and back, But have trouble crossing the street to meet our new neighbor. We’ve conquered outer space, but not inner space; We’ve cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul; We’ve split the atom, but not our prejudice. We have higher incomes, but lower morals; We’ve become long on quantity, but short on quality. These are the times of tall men, and short character; Steep profits, and shallow relationships. These are the times of world peace, but domestic warfare; More leisure, but less fun; More kinds of food, but less nutrition. These are days of two incomes, but more divorce; Of fancier houses, but broken homes. It is a time when there is much in the show window And nothing in the stock room; A time when technology can bring this letter to you, And a time when you can choose either to make a difference Or just hit delete. Now that you have read Mr. Dickson’s essay, what will you do about it?  Certainly, this is a season in which all of us can afford to share (and stimulate) more kindness, sensitivity, patience, understanding, compassion and love.  You won’t need Euros, dollars, rands, lira, rupees, rubles, francs, pesos, pounds or shillings to do it.  It will cost nothing but the precious and priceless gift of you.  Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed.