You may wonder why I chose to post the following item on a blog about healthy living. Simple. Because good health isn't just about low cholesterol levels, good eating habits or a daily exercise routine.
No… good health encompasses your whole body, mind and spirit!
This piece reminded me of the importance of living in balance to achieve a healthy, long and energetic life — and that's really the take-away message. Everyone seems to be so busy and preoccupied that they don't take enough time for themselves or others.
That's not good…
…Living in balance makes everything right. It's the law of nature.
I know it isn't always the easiest thing to do — boomers know this especially well. Nevertheless, you want to keep trying because you run the risk of destroying your health and happiness if you don't.
You might be lucky enough to live to a ripe old age even if you never achieve balance, but who cares if you're sick and miserable!?
I hope you'll think about the importance of balanced, healthy living. And while you're at it, be kind to yourself… give someone you love a hug… or call a friend just to say hi.
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This piece has been widely circulated and attributed to the Hippy-Dippy Weatherman a.k.a. comedian George Carlin, but in fact, the real credit goes to Dr. Bob Moorehead, minister, author and former pastor of Overlake Christian Church in Redmond, Washington.
He wrote this essay in 1990 and later included it in his book Words Aptly Spoken
At the end of this post you'll find a list of Dr. Moorehead's books.
The Paradox of Our Time …
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.
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If you liked Dr. Moorehead's thoughts, here's a list of other book titles you might be interested in. They can ordered online directly from Amazon.com.
