Modern life - How to stay young
Sent in by Al Campbell (before his surgery), author unknown
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.
HOW TO STAY YOUNG
1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes
age, weight and height. Let the doctor worry
about them. That is why you pay him/her.
2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches
pull you down.
3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer,
crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain
idle. "An idle mind is the devil's
workshop." And the devil's name is Alzheimer's.
4. Enjoy the simple things.
5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until
you gasp for breath.
6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move
on. The only person who is with us our entire
life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.
7. Surround yourself with what you love, whether
it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, and
hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.
8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve
it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond
what you can improve, get help.
9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the
mall, to the next county, to a foreign country,
but NOT to where the guilt is.
10. Tell the people you love that you love
them, at every opportunity.
AND ALWAYS REMEMBER: Life is not measured by
the number of breaths we take, but by the
moments that take our breath away.
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