Paradoxo do nosso tempo

Eu já tinha recebido esse texto por email.

Agora recebi novamente e resolvi postar.

Acho que faz bem ler essas coisas no início do ano (e não faz mal nenhum lembrar delas durante todo o ano).

O PARADOXO DE NOSSO TEMPO

(Original: The Paradox of Our Age, by Dr. Bob Moorehead)

O paradoxo de nosso tempo na história é que temos edifícios mais altos, mas pavios mais curtos; auto-estradas mais largas, mas pontos de vista mais estreitos; gastamos mais, mas temos menos; nós compramos mais, mas desfrutamos menos.

Temos casas maiores e famílias menores; mais conveniências, mas menos tempo; temos mais graus acadêmicos, mas menos senso; mais conhecimento e menos poder de julgamento; mais proficiência, porém mais problemas; mais medicina, mas menos saúde.

Bebemos demais, fumamos demais, gastamos de forma perdulária, rimos de menos, dirigimos rápido demais, nos irritamos muito facilmente, ficamos acordados até tarde, acordamos cansados demais, raramente paramos para ler um livro, ficamos tempo demais diante da TV e raramente oramos.

Multiplicamos nossas posses, mas reduzimos nossos valores. Falamos demais, amamos raramente e odiamos com muita freqüência. Aprendemos como ganhar a vida, mas não vivemos essa vida. 

Conquistamos o espaço exterior, mas não nosso espaço interior. Fizemos coisas maiores, mas não coisas melhores. 

Limpamos o ar, mas poluímos a alma. Dividimos o átomo, mas não nossos preconceitos.

São dias de viagens rápidas, fraldas descartáveis, moralidade também descartável, ficadas de uma só noite, corpos acima do peso, e pílulas que fazem de tudo: alegrar, aquietar, matar.

É um tempo em que há muito na vitrine e nada no estoque; um tempo em que a tecnologia pode levar-lhe estas palavras e você pode escolher entre fazer alguma diferença, ou simplesmente apertar a tecla Del.

-----------------------------------

Segue o texto completo original, em inglês

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 to 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 the moments that take our breath away.