THE DASH!

[smed]

I love this poem and thought you all might like it as well! It really made me stop and think at how I am spending my life hear on earth and how My Heavenly Father would like me to spend my dash.

My DASH

I read of a man who stood to speak,
At a funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone,
From the beginning...to the end.

He noted that first came her date of her birth.
And spoke of 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 she spent alive on earth,
And now only those who loved her
Know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not how much we own,
The car, the house, the cash.
What matters is how we lived 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 discover 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
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.

So when your eulogy is being read
And your life's actions to rehash...
would you be proud of the things they say,
About how you spent your dash.

-Linda Ellis, 1996

The question I'm asking you all is how do you spend your dash? -Or how would you like to spend it each day?

Now I have challenge for you all to make a goal of one thing you'd like to change. And for one week let us all try to apply this in our lives and see how much we've change or made a difference in our lives.

The first time I read this I thought of how I treat my husband and children. Yet When disham would happen at my house I thought alot about this poem and how I'd like to spend my time with the time I have here on earth. It was not yelling at my children or nagging at them or demanding demands that I new in reality would not come true. It really made me think about how I act around my family and friends. It made me look at things in al new light. A new appreciation that I never knew I had for my husband and children. It has made me kinder, happier, and more loving.

I hope that as you read this that you'll arise to the challenge I've given each of you. I cant' wait to hear what you all have to say.

[Dia Minha]

I just wanted to let you know I was not ignoring this post. I'm still thinking.

Dia

[Mamallama]

Wow!! Great poem Smed. Thanks for sharing. It really makes me stop and think. My goal: I'm going to give my husband and each of my children a compliment....a real good and different compliment everyday this week.

[Dia Minha]

Confession! I have started to post an answer 20 or more times and just can't seem to get it right. Hopefully this time I got it.

My house is just the right size for me. I'm going to get rid of all the things I don't need. I'm not going to buy anymore. So, my kids and I can use the space to play instead of cleaning, dusting, and organizing. (My room done. Boys room is already done. Dining room is almost there. Living room is on it's way. Girl's room is tomorrow. Kitchen when I get back.) I'm so tired of putting so much time and effort to take care of all these things I could just as easily live without. I need to run my house like a hotel, and decorate my house like a picture book.

My children are wonderful. I'm going to scold them a little less and love them a little more. I'm going to bite my tongue and open my arms. I'm going to leave the dishes in the sink and read just one more story and then one more. I want more bedtime talks. I want more trips to the zoo. More drives to the lake. More evenings on the porch watching the sun set. More dreaming of what is to be, then complaining about what is. I want to enjoy each little giggle and each tender cry. I want to end each argument with a good laugh and each day with a smile.

I have been thinking about this very thing since loosing Levi. I touched upon it a little bit in the thread "New Quote". I just want to learn to live in the moment. I want to be able to put the past behind me without forgetting the lessons I've learned, the moments I've lived, and the people I've loved. I want to be able to look forward to the future, without wishing away the present. I want to quit wasting time complaining about what I don't have and spend more time being grateful for what I do.

Ok It's late. I'm tired, but can't sleep. I'm starting to ramble. I feel like I'm not making much sense. Maybe it is making sense, but it's just not coming out as beautiful as I want it. Or maybe it is as beautiful as it can get, but because I am so tired I can't tell.

Dia

[Mamallama]

That's beautiful Dia, thanks for sharing....life would be so much better if we could all live that way.....
To take the time to appreciate and enjoy one another more.....to just live, love and learn together without the worries....the so often needless worries.
The Mary and Martha story comes to mind here......if we can just learn how to seek for the better parts of life rather than worrying so much about how things appear on the surface all of the time....

Does that make sense? It is getting late.

[Dia Minha]

The Mary and Martha story has always fasanated me too. I have been wanting the picture by _______________( can't remember his name right now) to hang in my kitchen/dining room for a while. You know just has a reminded.

I just read the book called "Mary, Martha and Me" recently. I have always been a Martha and always wished I could be more of a Mary. The interesting thing I discovered in this book is that it really takes a part of both for us to be whole. The way the author explains it is that we need to be willing to serve and do what we can to study and learn the gospel. To much of one or the other would cause us to be unbalanced in our gospel living.

The authour also brought up so really good ideas that I had never heard mentioned before when talking about this scripture story. She said something about that Martha could have been listening to Christ while she was fixing the meal. Whereas Mary just listened. Also Martha was only chatized after she complained about Mary. Later in the scriptures she serves without complaining and the Lord praises her for her service.

Anyway I'm doing the author's ideas justice at all. I encourage everyone to get a hold of a copy.

Not that, that was what you were meaning Mama. Your thoughts just reminded me of that book. I needed the reminder. Thanks.

Dia

[Mamallama]

Sounds like a great book. Very interesting thoughts on Mary and Martha. I'd love to read it. And that WAS the line of thinking I was on too.

[smed]

You guys are so awesome. All of your input has touch me so much. I'm greatful to have friends like you. Thanks!