"What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone
monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others."
It's not the
date you were born or the date you died that really matters. It's "the dash" between
those years and what you do with it to make a difference with your life. This
is the essence of The Dash. An inspirational poem written By Linda
Ellis’. This famous poem has turned-and touched the hearts of millions.
I'd like to share the story behind The Dash, as told by the author, Linda Ellis. It's a wonderful story that I think you'll enjoy.
I'd like to share the story behind The Dash, as told by the author, Linda Ellis. It's a wonderful story that I think you'll enjoy.
The Story Behind “The Dash”
While it still amazes me, a simple poem I wrote one
afternoon forever changed my life. It all began when I faxed a copy of this
poem to a syndicated radio show in Atlanta. Soon after receiving it, the host
of this popular show read it on the air. Little did I know how much my life
would change from that day forward. Titled The
Dash, these 36 lines have touched millions of lives and have literally
taken on a life of their own by traveling all over the world. I call it
uncomplicated poetry in a complicated world.
People are always asking me what, in particular, inspired me to write this poem. I believe it was a combination of things in my life at the time. It was during a period when I was working for the top executives of a very large and successful corporation. It was a strict company with a tense working environment.
I began to watch how the priorities in many lives there had become misaligned. It seemed to me that the bosses were worrying far too much about that which was inconsequential in the scope of life.
Also, resonating in the back of my mind were the words from a letter which had been previously routed around the office. It had been written by the wife of an employee who was aware that she was dying. I was so moved by that letter that I saved a copy of it and continue to live by her words:
Regrets? I have a few, too much worrying. I worried about finding the right husband and having children, being on time, being late and so on. It didn't matter. It all works out and it would have worked out without the worries and the tears.
If I would have only known then what I know now. But, I did and so do you. We're all going to die. Stop worrying and start loving and living.
The words have changed attitudes, and changed the direction of lives. They have, in their own way, made a difference. I hope reading it, in some way, may change yours.
People are always asking me what, in particular, inspired me to write this poem. I believe it was a combination of things in my life at the time. It was during a period when I was working for the top executives of a very large and successful corporation. It was a strict company with a tense working environment.
I began to watch how the priorities in many lives there had become misaligned. It seemed to me that the bosses were worrying far too much about that which was inconsequential in the scope of life.
Also, resonating in the back of my mind were the words from a letter which had been previously routed around the office. It had been written by the wife of an employee who was aware that she was dying. I was so moved by that letter that I saved a copy of it and continue to live by her words:
Regrets? I have a few, too much worrying. I worried about finding the right husband and having children, being on time, being late and so on. It didn't matter. It all works out and it would have worked out without the worries and the tears.
If I would have only known then what I know now. But, I did and so do you. We're all going to die. Stop worrying and start loving and living.
The words have changed attitudes, and changed the direction of lives. They have, in their own way, made a difference. I hope reading it, in some way, may change yours.
The Dash Poem
I read of a man who stood to speak,
At the funeral of a Friend.
He referred to the dates on this tombstone,
From beginning ….to the end.
At the funeral of a Friend.
He referred to the dates on this tombstone,
From beginning ….to the end.
He noted that first, came his date of birth,
And spoke the following tears.
But he said what mattered most of all,
Was the dash in between those years.
And spoke the following tears.
But he said what mattered most of all,
Was the dash in between those years.
For the dash represents,
All the time he spent alive on earth.
And how only those who loved him,
Know what that little line is worth.
All the time he spent alive on earth.
And how only those who loved him,
Know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not, how much we own,
The cars, the house, the cash,
What matters most 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?
The cars, the house, the cash,
What matters most 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 can still be rearranged.
If we could just slow down enough,
To consider what is true and real.
That can still be rearranged.
If we could just slow down enough,
To consider what is true and 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,
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 little while.
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
And how you spent your dash?
With your life’s actions to rehash
Would you be proud of the things they say
And how you spent your dash?
“Live Your Dash”
~Linda Ellis
