How Do You Live Your DASH?

At a recent memorial service for my dear friend’s mother the theme was “How are you living your DASH?” The ‘DASH’ we spoke of was the one between your birth and death.

This discussion had me recall a letter I wrote to myself many years ago, it was entitled “How I choose to live my DASH from this Day Forward”. Along the lines of a great quote… “This is the first day of the rest of your life”. In reviewing this letter, I discovered that for the most part I have been accountable to my commitment.

Years ago, I was a huge part of the rat race or as many Europeans described those of us that live in the US… We live each day in a “Burn Out” mentality. Trying to outrun our ‘date of death’ with fierce intensity. At that time, it was a wake-up call as I had planned a future semi-retirement that was full of play, happiness, flow and living the moment. I realized I was not going to arrive at that point in a healthy way if I did not ‘SHIFT’ and transform my way of being.

After reading the following poem “How do You Live Your Dash”, by Linda Ellis, I sat down to put pen to paper to write “How I choose to live my DASH from this Day Forward”.

“I read of a pastor 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 date with tears.
But he said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time
That she spent alive on earth.
And now only those who loved her
Know what that dash is worth.

For it matters not how much we own;
the cars, the house, the cash.
What matters most is how we live,
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 what time is left.
You could be at “dash, mid-range.”

If we could just slow down enough,
To see what’s true and real.
And always try to understand
The way that others 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,
Keeping in mind this special dash
Might last but a little while.

So, when your eulogy’s being read,
Your life’s actions to rehash,
Would you smile at the things being said
About how you spent your dash?” -Linda Ellis-

I also read about a tombstone located in a Boston Cemetery... the Epitaph reads

“Remember me as you pass by

As you are now so once was I

As I am now so you must be

Prepare yourself to follow me.”

Both writings were wake up calls, catalysts for me to write my “DASH” story. How will you live your DASH “The rest of your life”? Will you choose to be Happy? Will you choose to be Mindful? Will you choose to be self-aware? Will you choose to slow down? Will you choose to Trust and have Faith? Will you choose to LIVE? Will you choose to Surrender?

- A challenge to all of you … get a pen and paper write your DASH Story NOW!!!-

Before I go, I leave you with a quote from Buddha…  

“In the end, only three things matter: how much you loved, how gently you lived, and how gracefully you let go of things not meant for you.” ― Gautama Buddha   

My books offer comforting insight into your choices and how to choose. They are available on Amazon in paperback, Audible and Kindle formats. "It was ME all Along, the Path to FREEDOM"  and  "The Dolphin Lady, the Story of a Unique Relationship”  -