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Friday 14 January 2011

Thoughts to Ponder

My husband received these thoughts (unattributed) in an e-mail, and he passed them on to me, as he felt that I might like to put them on my Blog. 

Today we have bigger houses and smaller families; More conveniences, but less time;
We have more degrees, but less common sense.  More knowledge, but less judgement;

We have more experts, but more problems.  More medicine, but less well-ness;
We spend too recklessly, laugh too little and drive too fast.

We get too angry too quickly, stay up too late, get up too tired;
Read too little, watch TV too often and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values;
We talk too much, love too little and lie too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life;
We've added years to life, but not life to years;

We have taller buildings, but shorter tempers;
Wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints.

We spend more, but have less;
We buy more, but enjoy it less.

We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet our new neighbour.
We've conquered outer space, but not inner space.

We write more, but learn less; plan more, but accomplish less;
We've learned to rush, but not to wait.

We have higher incomes, but lower morals;
We are long on quantity, but short in quality.

More leisure, and less fun.  More kinds of food, but less nutrition;
Two incomes, but more divorce; Fancier houses, but broken homes.

This is the paradox of our time today.  That's why I propose that, as of today, you do not keep anything for a special occasion, because every day that you live is a special occasion.

Search for knowledge, read more, sit on your front porch and admire the view, without paying attention to your needs.

Spend more time with your family and friends, eat your favourite foods and visit the places you love.

Let's tell our families and friends how much we love them.

Do not delay anything that adds laughter and joy to your life.

Every day, every hour, and every minute is special.  And you don't know if it will be your last.

31 comments:

not displayed said...

This is lovely and very true

SkippyMom said...

Some of that is so sad. So true.

Lyndylou said...

It's lovely Thisisme and very few of us realise how short life is :)

Unknown said...

May be doubling up but think I clicked away too quick. Anyway I was saying this should be something everyone should read at the start of each and every day to keep tuned in to what life is really all about. A wonderful post. Thanks
Odie

BB said...

This...it's very appropriate blog material. Hubby was wise to pass it on to you. There is nothing in it that isn't true. I've been living my life the past few years sitting on that porch and being thankful to what's around me and that I'm able to be in it. It's very rewarding. Thank you for sharing this and hope that everyone gets a little something out of it.

Shady Del Knight said...

All true and it can all change if we are willing to take an honest look at how we conduct our daily lives and make some adjustments. My advice is to shift your priorities. Set aside some time each day to get away from computers, phones, pagers, televisions, radios and other electronic gadgets that are cluttering up your life and making you crazy. Go off somewhere to a peaceful natural setting even if it's only a few paces into your own back yard. Sit and gather yourself. Meditate. Observe insects going about their business...the neverending business of survival. Look at the bark on a tree trunk. Appreciate the shape and texture of rocks and stones. Gaze at the clouds. Get curious about the natural world. Give your eyes, mind, heart and soul a much needed break from the madness that is our modern world. Always make time for exercise. If you keep yourself fit and strong you are better equipped to deal with the challenges of daily life.

Olive said...

Every day is a holiday and every meal is a feast. People are more important than things. These are little mantras I repeat to myself and to my child. Great post Tim.

Garnetrose said...

this is wonderful. I love it so much. Very good for a blog and so much truth in it.

Jumble Mash said...

Very true!!

Rebecca said...

what a wonderful email and so true no one knows if each minute of the day could be their last. thank you for sharing

Belle said...

Beautiful post! I loved every word. My granddaughter said the people in some countries of Europe live at a much slower pace; she was impressed by that.

Southhamsdarling said...

Mynx - it is good, isn't it?

SkippyMom - I agree, some of it IS sad, but it serves to remind all of us of the really important things in life.

lindylou - Life really is very short in the scheme of things, and we really should make the most of each and every day.

Odie - glad you enjoyed the post today.

Bouncin'Barb - it's good to know that you are there sitting on that porch, and appreciating the good things of life around you.

Shady - very wise words, as always. I love the way your comments are always so well thought out. I for one, have to take some of your advice, as my blogging world has been taking over my life recently. I really must get out there and smell the roses and also start exercising again!

Olive - I really love those thoughts that you pass on to your daughter - people are more important than things. Gosh, that is so very true. If we could all treat every day as a holiday, I'm sure we would all be far happier. Enjoy your weekend.

Garnetrose - I am so pleased that you enjoyed the post so much.

Jumble - good to hear from you, as always.

Becca - It was my pleasure to share it with you all. I was hoping that everyone would appreciate it.

Belle - Lovely that you enjoyed reading the post. I think your granddaughter is probably right. Certainly, life down here in Devon is much slower than elsewhere in England, which is fine by me!

Anne in Oxfordshire said...

Hi Thank you for your wonderful comment :-) I don't know how I kept the blog going for 4 years, but it was worth it, having made lots of friends, here and in other countries. Might be a struggle to keep it going for another 4 years though :-) ..

This is so true ..I have clothes I keep for best, that is until the other month and thought, just wear them.. and today I went out for lunch on my own, .. in Oxford to a French restaurant I have wanted to go to for ages .. it was delightful.. :-) happy weekend to you too!

Southhamsdarling said...

Hi Anne. That's a really good idea about just wearing our clothes, rather than keeping them for best! Good for you for going to the French restaurant that you have wanted to go to for a long time. You are obviously doing all the right things already!

Carol E Wyer said...

This is so true and I'm going to read it to Hubby who I know will nod and agree wholeheartedly. We often despair about the world and the state of society but we should never lose sight of what we have that is precious, our friends, our families, the time we have. We appreciate every day.Lovely post.
I came by to say hello and to thank you for grabbing my button. I wasn't sure if it would work as it took me so long to work out how to make one - but hey who says an old dog can't learn new tricks? Thank you very much for grabbing it:) I might have missed it but I don't recall seeing one here. If not I'd be delighted to make you one as a gift.
I'm going to post this and check to see if I can find one.
Carol

Carol E Wyer said...

Nope, can't see one. I'll make you one over the weekend. Don't worry if you don't like it...I'll make another if it's no good!

Just Martha said...

Unfortunately too true!!

Southhamsdarling said...

Facing50Blog.com - yes, it's definitely there!! On the right hand side, just before the breast cancer logo.

I'll post this in your comments as well.

Southhamsdarling said...

Facing50Blog.com - or on the left hand side even!!

Southhamsdarling said...

Facing50Blog.com - I'm so glad you appreciated the post today.My husband and I are the same (probably our age!!) and do despair of society as it stands at the moment. BUT we do have so much to be thankful for in our own lives, and we must hang on to that. I did try to make a button for my blog, but just couldn't seem to manage it, so well done you! I do keep to try up to date with everything though.

Southhamsdarling said...

Just Martha - thank you for dropping over and leaving your comment. Always good to hear from you!

Carol E Wyer said...

Crossed wires I'm afraid. I didn't mean I couldn't find my button here - I found that and thank you for putting it on your blog. I meant I couldn't see one for you...I'll try and make you one for your blog. Any preference for a picture?

Carol E Wyer said...

Would you like a picture of Southam with your blog title on it?

Southhamsdarling said...

Facing 50 blog. com - I will e mail you a photo tomorrow and if it could have Southhamsdarling on it, that would be great. Thanks for offering to do that.

Teresa said...

great advice! it's so true...love that set of "instructions." i've been guilty of saving things for "when" - i wouldn't have my picture taken with my children because i was too fat and i didn't want to ruin the shot, or i wouldn't go do something because i was too fat... i let being 'too fat' keep me from enjoying many special things. it's times like now that i look back on things and think how stupid i was and how i let so many opportunities pass me by.

Unknown said...

Good evening my friend, I was just at a friends blog and it was a video about a small group that set up living on an area of Devon and had to only use what would have been available in the 1800's. Thought you might like to see it. It is at Jenna's site cold antler farm. her address is
http://coldantlerfarm.blogspot.com/2011/01/edwardian-farm.html
Hope you enjoy it.
Odie

Kelly~ Wave of Life Surf Studio said...

So true. You know, just tonight I was giving my daughter her bath & she was having so much fun & looked so sweet- I thought to myself "Hold on to this moment, you will miss this terribly one day." And so I did. I let her play in the tub for some extra time & just enjoyed being with her. Those are the moments that are worth more than any fancy & expensive contraption I can think of.

vintch said...

i can always count on you to make me think, smile and ponder. thank you for sharing this, sweet friend!

Sandra said...

Fantastic! So true!

Southhamsdarling said...

Odie - thank you so much for that. I am just going to pop over to yours to leave a comment, to make sure that you get it!!

Southhamsdarling said...

Teresa - As you say, how silly have we been in the past to let stupid things get in the way. Perhaps we can take it on board these days, and not let the good moments slip away!

Kelly - I love it that you let your daughter spend that extra fun time in the bath. Magic!

vintch - It was my pleasure to share it with you dear friend.

Sandra - so glad you enjoyed it.