Life is Short so Live Large: The Dash

The poem, titled DASH written by Linda Ellis, was recently sent to me. Although I've seen it before, this time it has a different meaning - it's so much more meaningful and touched me in a way that surprised me. It embodies the way I try to live my life -to really see when I look at things, but then go one step further and keep looking to see at least one additional thing that I previously wouldn't have seen. Now, I try to hear when I'm listening to someone or something and feel what needs to be felt, or try as hard as I can to "go outside my comfort zone" and create a better feeling, place to be, or be creative with my thoughts and ideas. It's no longer enough to hope wonderful things will come my way. If I want to see a rainbow,I need go out in the rain and look in all directions to see where the sun may be trying to peer through. If I want to create, I need to think, find my own clarity and place that takes me into my private world of art. For a beautiful picture, go out to where you may see something beautiful, but even better, go to a place where unexpected beauty might be found. Life is like a picture. We create what's in front of us, and can paint what we see or we can paint what we envision by letting our imagination take us as far and as wide as we let it. Looking forward to creating a super 2009- filled with unending creativity, new and exciting artistic collaborations, fulfilling friendships and family, and another year to continue to become wiser, grow as an artist, and "gift" those that allow me to participate in their lives. It's a year to continue to be open to absorb all the coincidences and synchronicies that surround me daily and launch the energies that carry me through each day. I look forward to this beautiful new year ahead of me, hoping to maintain a sense of wonder, curiosity and continued desire to play. The Dash by Linda Ellis Copyright 1998 I read of a reverend who stood to speak At the funeral of a friend He referred to the dates on her tombstone From the beginning to the end. He noted that first came the 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 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 special 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?