Great Advice on Building Relationships and a Great Reminder To Make A Difference

Today attended the Peak Awards hosted by the Greater Sandy Area Chamber of Commerce. During the event I was asked to introduce the keynote speaker, David Bradford who is a dear friend of mine, a great business leader, and a published author. Dave shared some of the principles taught in his book, “Up Your Game: 6 Timeless Principles for Networking Your Way to the Top”   . His talk was awesome and I highly recommend everyone read his book as it has advice that every single person out there would benefit from, whether you are involved in business or not! It’s just great life advice on connecting with people and building relationships.

After Dave’s talk and several awards were given out to business leaders that have helped our community (thanks to all!), and then the CEO of the Chamber, Stan Parrish (a truly great man btw) read the following poem which had such a strong message in it that I immediately knew I would have to share it with all of you in my blog tonight. I have no idea who wrote this poem. Stan mentioned it was a high school student that wrote it but I am not positive. All I know is that the message it shares is powerful and it gives you amazing food for thought:

 

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 neighbor.

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.

 

LOVE IT!!! So much! I don’t know about you, but I for one, want to MAKE A DIFFERENCE! And I appreciate the reminder! Hopefully you do too 🙂

Have an amazing President’s Day Weekend everyone! Three day weekends are the BEST! Enjoy your time and find a way to make a difference in at least one person’s life this weekend. Plus it’s Valentine’s Day so don’t forget to hug your sweetheart and tell them how much they make a difference in your life.

~Amy

 

3 Comments

  • Brook Shipley says:

    Your article was on point – loved it!

  • Jane says:

    Another excellent post! I love your writing so much, but this was neat today reading this poem. Good to remember.

  • Joan Landes says:

    Here’s a couple more to think about…we worry about economic depression and miss our teens depression. We text people around the world but don’t talk to our spouse in the same room.

    This post made me think a lot. Thank you so much Amy!

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