What does it mean to live?

I waste a lot of time on Facebook, especially around the holidays. I use the word waste because I usually read about a lot of things I genuinely don't care about, yet can't stop reading. The people who I care about most will tell me what is going on in their lives, so it's not their profiles that I look over when I'm on the book, which means I'm looking at peoples' profiles who I honestly don't really care about...

Anyways, while perusing profiles of people I don't really care that much for, I came across something that I enjoyed. This woman I knew in college posted a piece by George Carlin, of what he is calling a paradox. However, I felt it was more a set of contradictory thoughts, that lead us to the paradox that we should be moving forward, but we are actually standing still, if not moving backwards. Regardless, I felt it was a good bit to share.

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 judgement; more experts, yet more problems; more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive to fast, get to 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 to 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 the days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodes, 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 to 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 those moments that take our breath away.

Granted, the end gets a bit corny, but in general it does make you stop to think for a minute. What does it mean to live during our lifetime? What makes a full life?

I felt this was an interesting piece to come across after thinking about my resolutions, or will to be resolute, as it's important to be resolute about the right things. I looked back over my list of priorities (I prefer that to resolutions) and figure they do help me live a healthier lifestyle, but they don't all contribute to a more fulfilling life. I'm left pondering about a list that is more focused on ensuring that I live instead of change or improve. Yes, I would like to improve many things about myself, but I want to make sure that I am living a purposeful, driven life that is not only centered on myself, but others. Maybe if I come up with a list focused on living, I'll be more resolute about completing that list...