In my line of work as a pastor, I’m often asked to do funerals. One of the most inspirational thoughts I’ve shared over the years is a poem called “Living the Dash”. I hope it encourages you to live life to the fullest. You see, the question is NOT “How many years did you have in your life?”, but “How much life did you have in your years?”
James S. Stewart said, “Let us live as people prepared to die and die as people prepared to live.”
“Living the Dash” (anonymous)
I read of a man who stood to speak
at the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on his tombstone
from the beginning … to the end.
He noted that first came his date of birth
and spoke the following date with tears,
But he said what mattered most of all
was the dash between the years.
For that dash represents all the time
that he spent alive on earth …
and now only those who knew and 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 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 that this little dash
might only last a little while.
So, when your eulogy’s being read
with your life’s actions to rehash,
would you be proud of the things they say
about how you spent your dash?
