Bring This Reminder Into the New Year

There's this amazing poem that's spoken to me and so many others over the years. I wanted to share it with you here as we close out 2020 and begin a new year. What a wild year it's been. What a wild year it's been. 

But as you reflect and also look ahead to the hope of a new year, I hope this poem, called The Dash, speaks to you. May it help us align our goals, our purpose, anchor us and what really matters in this life.

The DASH

poem by Linda Ellis

I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend. He referred to the dates on the tombstone from the beginning… to the end.

He noted that first came the date of birth and spoke of the following date with tears, but he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time they spent alive on earth and now only those who loved them 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 that still can be rearranged.

To 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 little while.

So when your eulogy is being read, with your life’s actions to rehash, would you be proud of the things they say about how you lived your dash?

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In what ways does this encourage you or challenge you?