This is a masterpiece from George Carlin who lost his wife a long time back. Isn’t it amazing that George Carlin, a comedian of the 70s and 80s, could write something so very eloquent and so very appropriate? Here is an excerpt from his work:
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, 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. 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.
Emotional Intelligence
Let’s discuss something that is related to emotions, and what could be the better way to elaborate this topic than emotional intelligence. What is emotional intelligence? According to experts, it is generally defined as the capability of individuals to recognize their own emotions and those of others, discern between different feelings and label them appropriately, use emotional information to guide thinking and behavior, and manage and/or adjust emotions to adapt to environments or achieve one’s goal(s).
Although the term first appeared in a 1964 paper by Michael Beldoch, it gained popularity in the 1995 book by that title, written by author and science journalist Daniel Goleman.
What if a billion people were practicing emotional intelligence?
What if?
What if all people knew and accepted themselves? And felt free to make choices to direct their own lives? And could freely give their energy to create the future they really want?
Can you imagine a world like that? Can you imagine a “you” like that?
Welcome to the World of Emotional Intelligence
Six Seconds, a non-profit organization founded in 1997, is dedicated to supporting people to create positive change. They think the world would be a better place if a billion people were practicing the skills of emotional intelligence. They research and share scientific, global, and transformational tools and methods to support the abovementioned goal. Currently, they have offices and representatives in 25 countries and members in 167 countries.
What’s the best way to get started growing emotional intelligence?
Name your Feelings
There are over 3,000 words for feelings in English. How many are you feeling now? Probably several. Tune into what’s happening inside. Draw a picture. Use words. Find metaphors.
Identify Options
Often, it seems as if one has “no choice.” What if you have a TON of options but you haven’t thought of them yet? Each day is a chance to try out a new way of responding.
See the WHY
Your choices matter. You choose your thoughts, your feelings, your actions, and such choosing changes the world around you. What’s the effect you want to have? If you have a clear picture of where you want to go, you’ll make much more effective decisions.
The Six Seconds model turns emotional intelligence theory into practice for your personal and professional life. The model of EQ-in-Action explained here, will give you a clearer picture of the subject. It begins with three important pursuits: to become more aware (noticing what you do), more intentional (doing what you mean), and more purposeful (doing it for a reason).
Know Yourself gives you the “what”: when you Know Yourself, you know your strengths and challenges, and you know what you are doing, what you want, and what to change.
Choose Yourself provides the “how”: it shows you how to take action, how to influence yourself and others, and how to “operationalize” these concepts.
Give Yourself delivers the “why”: when you Give Yourself, you are clear and full of energy so you stay focused why you respond a certain way, why you move in a new direction, and why others should come on board.
