How Have You Lived Your Dash?
I would just to share a powerful song that I heard recently called ‘The Dash’. The ‘Dash’ was originally a poem written by Linda Ellis and it has been an inspiration to millions around the world, including myself. The song makes us realize that the day we complete our journey on earth, we will have two dates inscribed on our tombstone, the year of birth and the year of death. In the middle of both these dates, is a short dash ‘-’. This dash represents all that we have done during our time that we are alive. It makes us reflect how how we have lived our ‘dash’.
At the end of the day, we will soon realize that success is not about what we have (the cars, the houses and the cash we own)…but who we become as a person and how many people we have touched in the process. It reminds me of a movie I watched a few months ago called the ‘Bucket List’, about two elderly men (played by Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman) who were dying and wanted to fulfill their last wished written on a list before they died. The most touching moment was when Morgan Freeman said to Jack Nicholson that the way to know if you have truly lived a successful life is to ask two questions. Question 1: ‘Have you found true joy in your life? and Question 2: ‘Has your life brought joy to others?’ If the answer is yes to both two questions, then you can go in peace. Something to think about…
As you play the song on youtube way at the top ‘The Dash’, you may want to read the lyrics below. Enjoy and reflect!
There was a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend.
He read the dates on her tombstone from the beginning…to the end.
He noted first came the date of her birth and spoke the following date with tears, but he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years.
For that dash stands for all the time that she spent alive on earthɉ۬and only those who loved her know what that little line is worth.
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 can still be re-arranged
If we would just slow down enough to consider what’s true and real and always try to understand the way that other’s feel. We’d be much less quick to anger and show appreciation more and love the people in our lives like we’ve never loved before.
So, when your eulogy’s being read and your life is being rehashed…would you be proud of the things they say about how you spent your dash?
I am enjoying it … it’s touch … how you spend your day…
Thank you
Thanks Adam! Very inspiring. A great way to start the day. Thanks for taking the time to share it.
Debbie
Great song. Spend time with your loved ones and let them know how much you care. Live life abundantly.
Very inspiring…. Thanks Adam for sharing this video with us.
Sure you have brought joys to others’ lives by sharing this good ,inspiring songs. thank you!
Dear Adam,
Thank you so much for sharing with this song.Its reminds us to live with joyful life whatever circumference we may face and bring your joy to others.
Adam, at one moment I actually stop whatever I’m doing and think about the powerful message you dropped me. Many thanks!
Respected Sir,
Really ‘Excellent’ these lines touched me a lot.
Best Regards,
rajeev
Simple lyrics with immense meaning.
Good reminder on how we are all leading our lives!
Thanks for sharing this Adam! It is wonderful.
Dear Adam,
Thanks for sharing this wonderful story.
Just a moment I stop awhile n think about my life n what i have done to other people n to my family.
The ‘-’ means so much to us
Many Txs. GBU
I am emotional after watching the video.
Just yesterday, i have watched a documentary of how they clean out a corpse for showcase at the funeral after a person die. They take out the internal organs, the brain… and what’s left is the empty shelve of the skin outside.
And today, i watch the Dash video….
What is God trying to tell me? Hmmm… a moment of true reflection before the New Year begin.
Yew Heng
Dear Adam,
Thank u for sharing this inspiring song. It makes me wondering what had I done recently. It’s like the ‘guardian angel’.
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year.
Hi Adam,
Honestly speaking, this video and the words didn’t seem to touch me… But it did remind me to live life to the fullest and giving it my 100%, cos this dash ain’t very long. So I really hope I do take this opportunity to focus on the bright future of mine. The past is not equal to the future.
At the same time, Merry Xmas and a Happy New 2010.
Thanks for the sharing.
It’s really very meaningful.
Dear Adam,
Very meaningful, inspiring and emotional.
Thank You.
Live your dash well if not your life will be dashed! Great song!