The wealthier I become..

When I only hear, I forget,

When I see, I remember..

But when I do, I understand.

While passing by a group of elephants, I suddenly stopped, confused by the fact that those huge creatures were being held by only a small rope tied to their front leg. No chains, no cages. It was obvious that the elephants could, at anytime, break away free from the ropes they were tied to, but for some reason or the other, they did not.
The trainer was nearby and when asked why these beautiful, magnificent animals just stood there and made no attempt to get away, he replied:

" Well, when they were very young and much smaller we used the same rope to tie them and, at that age, it was enough to hold them. As they grew up, they are conditioned to believe that, they cannot break away. They believe, the rope can still hold them, so they never try to break free."

Amazingly, these animals which could at any time break free from their bonds, because they believe they couldn't, were stuck right where they were.

" Like the elephants, how many of us go through life hanging onto a belief that we can't do something, simply because we failed at it once before?"

Giving up doesn't always mean you are weak. Sometimes it means that you are strong enough to let go.

We have taller buildings, but shorter tempers

Wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints

We spend more, but have less

We buy more, but enjoy it less

We have bigger houses and 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 learned how to make a living, but not a life

We have added years to life, but not life to years

We have been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbour

We have conquered outer space, but not inner space

We have cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul

We have split the atom, but not our prejudice

We have higher incomes, but lower morals

We have 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

A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to make a difference.... to forget it or share with others.