My Dash

This poem was read at a funeral for a business colleague.  It touched me deeply and still drives me to revisit how my intentions compare to my results.  I want to share it with you here.

 

~ The Dash Poem; by Linda Ellis ~
 
I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of his friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone from the beginning ...to the end.
He noted that first came the date of her birth and spoke of the second with tears.
But he said that what mattered most of all was the "dash" between those years.
For that dash represents all the time that she spent alive on this earth.
And now, only those who loved her know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not how much we own: the cars, the house, the cash.
What matters is how we live and love and how we spend our "dash".
So think about this long and hard. Are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left. You could be at "dash-mid-range".
If we could just slow down enough to consider what's true and what's real.
And always try to understand the way other people feel.
And be less quick to anger, and show appreciation more.
And love the people in our lives like we've never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect, and more often wear a smile.
Remembering that this special "dash" might only last a while.
So when your eulogy is being read with your life's actions to rehash.
Will you be pleased with the things they have to say about how you spent your "dash"?

 

Have you ever asked yourself this question; what will it say on my gravestone?  I now do this as a regular exercise to get back in sync with my intentions, as the art of living and daily tasks sometimes take me off point ... give it a try.