" Frisbeetarianism is the belief that when you die, your soul goes up on the roof and gets stuck "
George Carlin



Well, Georgie is stuck on the roof now — the comedian, wordsmith, and all-around force-to-be-reckoned-with died on a Sunday of heart failure. He was just 71.

George Carlin, from an early age, recognized both the importance of words and the freedom to use them. George knew that when you start to take words away from people — when you begin to label them, arbitrarily, as “bad” — then you start to take away their freedom.

George Carlin has remained a hilarious, but poignant, champion of freedom of speech through his entire career. More than that, he has reminded us of why we care so much about storytelling — his carefully crafted comic capers were as glorious as any part of America’s rich and storied oral tradition. He spoke to the audience like they were his friends, and they were in many ways.

He said,

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,

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,

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.

George Carlin