THE PARADOX OF OUR TIME

THE PARADOX OF OUR TIME

The paradox of our time in history is greatly affecting our upward surge to greater and reliable positions. We are becoming captives of our own identities, living in prisons of our own creation.

We have taller buildings, but shorter tempers; wider freeways, but narrower view points. We spend more, but have less; we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses, but 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 have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, but act less, commit more, but forgive less. We have been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbour.

We have learned how to make a living, but not a life. We have added years to life, not life to years. We conquered outer space, but not inner space, we have done larger things, but not better things. We have cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We have conquered atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less, plan more, but accomplish less. We have learned to rush, but not to wait.

These are times of fast food and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are 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 showroom but less 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.

If we must fight this paradox, we must choose to ponder and reverse the situations, but we shall always remember, “Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away”.

 Augustus Bills

2012