September 16, 2013

The Progress Paradox

The Progress Paradox: If life is getting better, why do we feel worse?


THE PARADOX OF OUR TIMES 


The paradox of our times
Is that we have taller buildings, but shorter tempers
Wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints
We spend more, but we have less.

We have bigger houses, but smaller families
More conveniences, but less time.

We have more degrees, but less sense
More knowledge, but less judgement
More experts, but more problems
 More medicines, but less wellness.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.
We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often
We have learnt how to make a living, but not a life.

We have added years to life, but not life to years.
We've been all the way to the moon and back 
but have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbour.

We have conquered outer space, but not inner space.
We've cleaned up the air, but polluted our soul.
We've split the atom, but not our prejudice.
We've higher incomes, but lower morals.
We've become long on quantity but short on quality.

These are the times of tall men, and short character; 
Steep profits, and shallow relationships. 
These are the times of world peace, but domestic warfare, 
More leisure, but less fun; 
more kinds of food, but less nutrition.

These are the days of two incomes, but more divorces; 
Of fancier houses, but broken homes. 
It is a time when there is much in the show 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 make a difference .... 

or just hit, delete.


- His Holiness the Dalai Lama

1 comment:

  1. Anonymous3/18/2014

    First, I do want to say that I find this blog a very inspiring site to read and I have found a lot of interesting thoughts to apply to my own life here!

    I do know this post is relatively old, but I do want to note that through some internet-research (google ;)) I have found that Dr. Robert Moorehead (never heard of him before), a pastor, has written this and not the Dalai Lama. I don't want to be a know-it-all, but I figured bringing this up wouldn't do any harm :)

    ReplyDelete

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