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One of my ‘listening to when I drive things’ is live recordings of the 70’s & 80’s American Comedian George Carlin. Laura in south Africa sent GO! Smell the flowers part of his act that I’ve heard but didn’t really take it in. It seems more appropriate now than it did a couple of decades ago when it was written.

Take 2 minutes of your time and enjoy these flower smelling words :

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.

My biggest discussion thread yet here at blog cat but one I wanted to share!

Comments welcomed!

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User Comments

  1. gosmelltheflowers
    Well it made me think!
  2. Rozie818
    I love his opening after his second heart attack:

    "I now lead Richard Pryor 2 heart attacks to 1. Richard went out and had a heart attack, then I had a heart attack, then Richard went and put himself on fire and I said, Fuck that, so I went and had another heart attack."

    Both were brilliant!
    1. gosmelltheflowers
      LOL, thanks for sharing!
  3. Bullgrit
    Sadly, I come in to ruin the fun:
    www.snopes.com/politics/soapbox/paradox.asp

    That's not by George Carlin

    Sorry.
    1. lisleman
      thanks for that research - it sounded like George Carlin
      Well I still enjoy listening to his recordings. I think he left us too soon.
    2. Frosty78
      Thanks for clearing that up. The part about "praying too seldom" confused me with respect to what I knew about George's religious stance.
    3. gosmelltheflowers
      LOL Bullgirt..its all good..
    4. wagerwitch
      It's ok - whether or not that IS George --- It sounds like him and SHOULD be credited to him!!!

      And ya know what?

      I'll bet George Carlin LOVED that someone attributed it to him!
  4. amybyrd21
    I loved George Carlin. I do not remember any quotes right off that are not mentioned. When I was in high school I baby sat for a church going family. They got ticketw to see him. she came back with her mouth on the floor over the language. I wish I would have gotten to go see him.
  5. Guzzo
    Yep.. wise words alright.
  6. wagerwitch
    I love George Carlin...

    Even tho he has passed on - he is an amazing enigma of the world.

    BUT...

    I have to share this:

    My Gynecologist looks EXACTLY like George Carlin.

    Do you realize how hard it is to have him between my legs without laughing my arse off?

    I don't know what made me share that... But EVERY single time I think of George Carlin - or see him - I can't help but see my Gynecologist.

    They could be Identical Twins - AND - they have the same Voice level - the same sound level and wear their hair the same...

    It truly is uncanny!
    1. gosmelltheflowers
      LOL! Hard and legs go well together...
  7. dcarroll
    Several years ago, this piece was splashed across the email circuit. I still like it.

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