I love the idea of the dash representing life. It’s very small but can represent so much. We can get caught up in mundane daily routines and forget that each day and moment can have significance. We need to be present in each moment so we can try to make the most of it! (With more days behind me than in front of me, I think of this often!) I had not heard of this book you featured, but I plan to get it and read it. Thank you for bringing all of this into the light!
I have gifted “A Walk on the Beach” to more than a few people now and each have appreciated being introduced to it. Sally, if you are the Anam Cara I believe you to be, I think you will resonate strongly with this book. We are all, right now, living our dashes. From Dad’s lived example, I find I am asking myself more regularly now “What will I do today that will be of benefit to others?” At the end of the day, if I did just one thing that was of benefit, I now know that I polished my dash to be a little brighter. Even if no one else can see it’s glow.
Reading THE FOURTH QUARTER OF YOUR LIFE....Allen Hunt and Matthew Kelly....two parts and well worth thinking about. Most of us are in the fourth quarter...this whole experience has been an important one so THANK YOU from the top of my 💜✝️🙏
Thanks Linda! And here we go again—another book that will be added to my wonderfully overgrown stack of “to be read” books. It’s my favorite problem and personal fault.
From one “over-dasher” to apparently now, another…thank you!
Calling all “over-dashers….” UNITE! If you over-dash, at least you are writing—which is the most important thing. Ample evidence is growing that the more a mind is intellectually engaged in significant acts, especially creative acts like writing, it can stem the tide of neurological disorders—maybe not prevent them completely, but certainly lesson symptoms or even extend the period of time before their onset.
Oh, Kert, thank you for the poignant title and content of this post. Yes, it's all about "The Dash." From time to time, I find myself reflecting on and sharing this poem on the same topic. Thank you for giving us glimpses of the richness of your dad's dash. Peace and love to you and your family as you continue to navigate your own dash. It may be written/typed as a straight line but how winding and bumpy life's dash can be. Living Ellis' poem here for your reminder and reflection.
In “A Walk on the Beach,” the elder Joan cites a poem from which she got the concept of the dash. But neither the poem nor the poet’s name was mentioned. This had to have been that poem! Thank you Tomi for including it. I didn’t even think to dig into the internet for it—the concept itself was lovely enough. But the poem does add more depth and poignancy.
I love the idea of the dash representing life. It’s very small but can represent so much. We can get caught up in mundane daily routines and forget that each day and moment can have significance. We need to be present in each moment so we can try to make the most of it! (With more days behind me than in front of me, I think of this often!) I had not heard of this book you featured, but I plan to get it and read it. Thank you for bringing all of this into the light!
I have gifted “A Walk on the Beach” to more than a few people now and each have appreciated being introduced to it. Sally, if you are the Anam Cara I believe you to be, I think you will resonate strongly with this book. We are all, right now, living our dashes. From Dad’s lived example, I find I am asking myself more regularly now “What will I do today that will be of benefit to others?” At the end of the day, if I did just one thing that was of benefit, I now know that I polished my dash to be a little brighter. Even if no one else can see it’s glow.
Reading THE FOURTH QUARTER OF YOUR LIFE....Allen Hunt and Matthew Kelly....two parts and well worth thinking about. Most of us are in the fourth quarter...this whole experience has been an important one so THANK YOU from the top of my 💜✝️🙏
Thanks Linda! And here we go again—another book that will be added to my wonderfully overgrown stack of “to be read” books. It’s my favorite problem and personal fault.
As someone who “overdashes” in my writing - I will never look at them the same way!
Love this concept, the sharing of the story it came from and the call for all of us to consider our own “dash.”
From one “over-dasher” to apparently now, another…thank you!
Calling all “over-dashers….” UNITE! If you over-dash, at least you are writing—which is the most important thing. Ample evidence is growing that the more a mind is intellectually engaged in significant acts, especially creative acts like writing, it can stem the tide of neurological disorders—maybe not prevent them completely, but certainly lesson symptoms or even extend the period of time before their onset.
Wait - how did I not put a dash in over-dash? 🤦🏻♀️
Some over-dashers are apparently more evolved than others. It’s a pride thing.
❤️ — ❤️
Yep, I see what you did there. You fellow “over-dasher” you.
Oh, Kert, thank you for the poignant title and content of this post. Yes, it's all about "The Dash." From time to time, I find myself reflecting on and sharing this poem on the same topic. Thank you for giving us glimpses of the richness of your dad's dash. Peace and love to you and your family as you continue to navigate your own dash. It may be written/typed as a straight line but how winding and bumpy life's dash can be. Living Ellis' poem here for your reminder and reflection.
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 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
That 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 can still be rearranged.
If we could just slow down enough
To consider what's 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
Like we've never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect
And more often wear a smile,
Remembering 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 spent YOUR dash?
In “A Walk on the Beach,” the elder Joan cites a poem from which she got the concept of the dash. But neither the poem nor the poet’s name was mentioned. This had to have been that poem! Thank you Tomi for including it. I didn’t even think to dig into the internet for it—the concept itself was lovely enough. But the poem does add more depth and poignancy.
Glad you now have it. There are small gift books, plaques, and all kinds of decorative merchandise with the poem. Enjoy it!