We all have many things competing for our attention, and it’s tempting to want to be the hero-that person who takes on everything they’re asked to do. Instead, they will share stories about our character, the good times we shared, the impact we had on them, and the quality of relationships we built. They also won’t care that we achieved level 8,000 on Candy Crush. When our time is up, no-one at our funeral will speak of the size of our house, how much money we made, or the kind of car we drove. Every day we make choices about how we spend our time, but how often do we slow down and really consider the impact of those choices? None of us knows how much time we have left on this Earth. How are you spending your dash? Are you truly making the most of every day and living a life consistent with your values? The poem is about the meaning of that little dash between the dates on our tombstone when we’re gone. It’s very beautiful and thought provoking. I’ll include a couple of snippets here, but I encourage you to visit Linda’s website to read the full text. The poem The Dash was written by Linda Ellis. This morning’s memorial service gave me an opportunity to reflect on the impact of a life well lived, and how important it is to make the best choices about how we spend our time. Listening to the tributes brought to mind a poem called The Dash that one of my dear friends read at her mother’s funeral years ago. This morning I attended a memorial service for my brother-in-law who passed away at the end of August. Yet some people aimlessly drift through life, while others use their time to make more of an impact than others. We all have the same 24 hours in a day, 7 days in a week, and 52 weeks in a year. Remembering that this special dash might only last a little while.There’s nothing like a funeral or memorial service to make us aware of the passing of time and the shortness of life. If we treat each other with respect and more often wear a smile, If we could just slow down enough to consider what’s true and real,Īnd always try to understand the way other people feel.īe less quick to anger and show appreciation more,Īnd love the people in our lives like we’ve never loved before. Are there things you’d like to change?įor you never know how much time is left that can still be rearranged. What matters is how we live and love, and how we spend our dash. He noted first came the date of the birth and spoke the following date with tears.īut he said what mattered most of all was the dash between the years.įor that dash represents all the time that they spent life on Earth.Īnd now only those who loved them know what that little line is worth.įor it matters not how much we own, the cars, the house, the cash. He referred to the dates on the tombstone from the beginning to the end. I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend. We wish you a very Happy New Year from our Board and Team here at the North Georgia Community Foundation! The Dash Poem Think about your own ‘Dash.” Do you want to give more of your time? Your talents? Your treasures? How can you continue to live out and build your own unique legacy? Then, she challenged our Board with this thought: “How are you living your ‘Dash’? What is it that will fill the moments of time from the beginning of your life, to the end?”Īs we embark on this new year, whether you have heard this poem before or not, we encourage you to take a minute and read the words carefully. Recently, at our North Georgia Community Foundation Board Retreat, Mary Hart shared a poem, “The Dash” by Linda Ellis. One of the things we appreciate the most about Mary Hart is how she is always sharing her words of wisdom and encouragement everywhere she goes. We are honored that she is a current (and founding) NGCF Board Member, as well as a past Board Chair. Mary Hart Wilheit is a woman of grace and love. “The Dash” ~ a Poem by Linda Ellis posted: December 31, 2021
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