In this New Year’s video, Dr. Emmett Miller uses George Carlin’s famous “paradox of our time” monologue to prompt viewers to pause, reflect on the passage of time, and consider what they want to carry forward into the coming year. He contrasts modern material progress—taller buildings, more technology—with declining personal qualities—shorter tempers, narrower viewpoints, less wellness. Miller then urges listeners to cherish loved ones, express love sincerely, and prioritize moments that “take your breath away.” He concludes with a call to action, inviting viewers to share their own meaningful moments via his Facebook page or email.
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Hi, this is Dr. Emmett Miller. What do you know about that? It's a new year. I've come to the conclusion that what New Year's really represents is an opportunity for us to stop for a moment and to realize that time is passing. And in a world where we have very little respect for the importance of time, It's an opportunity for us to pause and to think about what is it that we want to take forward with us into this new year, and what do we want to leave behind? Who do we want to remember, and what do we want to remember? So in keeping with this, I'd like to share something that I learned from George Carlin, the comedian whose wife died early in 2008, and and who followed his wife a few months later in July of 2008. And I offer this in memory of George and of this extraordinary gift that he leaves behind. 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 we have less. We buy more, but we 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. And 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've multiplied our possessions but reduced our values. We talk too much and love too seldom. Hate. Too often. We've learned how to make a living but not a life. We've 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 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 with small characters. Steep profits but shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses but broken homes. These are the 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's a time when there's much in the showroom window but nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this message to you and the time when you can choose either to share it or to just hit delete. Remember to spend some time with your loved ones because they're 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 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. Thank you, George. And so, as we enter this new year, I'd like to know, what are the moments that take your breath away? What is it that's most important for you to take forward with you? Think about it and let me know at facebook.com/askdrmiller. That's Ask Dr. Miller. Or drop me an email. That's drmiller@drmiller.com. Happy New Year.
