First sunny day in a week. Cleaned up the backyard. Walked a few miles.
It’s been raining a lot this month. Not the heavy downpours like last year, but a steady soaking rain. A few of the succulents are blooming despite the lack of sunshine. And, that makes me smile.
Update: “George Carlin very emphatically denied he had had anything to do with "Paradox," a piece he referred to as "a sappy load of shit," and posted his comments about being associated with this essay on his own web site.” –via Snopes
An observation by George Carlin:
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 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.
This year’s harvest: 38 total with only 9 “ugly” ones. Trying something new this year by freezing a few of them. The internet says they’ll keep up to three months in the freezer. We’ll see how well that advice holds true.
At times 2023 felt gentle and kind, and at other times felt unbearable. This past year has taught me more than the decade before it and impacted my life in ways I could have never imagined. A year of love, loss, and light...and posting about it daily here on this little blog. I honestly can't recall what moved me to post daily during 2023, but I am glad I did.
I won't be repeating that personal challenge any time soon, but I am glad that I did. Those daily posts allowed me some time to reflect, like writing in a journal. My completion rate with handwritten journals has not been so successful. Yet, posting through the computer seemed to be a bit easier than slogging through a handwritten note. I suppose that the "always on" lifestyle, with phone in hand and computer permanently connected, affords some benefits. It also creates some hazards, but that is another series of reflections or blog posts.
I am grateful for all that was during 2023, and I am hopeful for that which may soon be.