The comedian George Carlin doesn’t often provide a preacher with material that would be appropriate from the pulpit, but something that he wrote shortly after his wife died a few years ago struck me as worth sharing.

According to Carlin, the paradox of our society is that we now have taller buildings, but shorter tempers … wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more and acquire more than any generation prior to us, but somehow seem to enjoy it less. We have more conveniences, but less time … more knowledge, but less judgment … more medicine, but less wellness.

We have been to the moon and back multiple times, but have trouble walking across the street to visit a neighbor. We talk too much, listen too seldom, and hate too often. We’ve increased our possessions, but reduced our values … we’ve done larger things, but not necessarily better things.

Carlin goes on to observe that it’s the simple things in life that make a difference—saying “I love you” (and meaning it!) … speaking the truth (and acting on it!) … mending a broken relationship … making a new friend …and doing what we can, with what we have, where we’re at.

Always remember, Carlin concludes, that life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.