Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Living and Learning

Living and Learning
and
seeing beauty in all places we look

It's a lovely day today here
as the 4 leggeds once again run the NASCAR
around the pool
I was reminded by a reader
of the poem
"The Dash"
and
a gentleman who brought a typed copy of it
to me one day framed to my office.
He had told a story of grief through tears
of the loss of his best friend, his confidant, his wife
and
how that poem comforted him in his darkest hours
when a friend read it at her grave
as he felt his life was no longer worth living.
Words are powerful
and
sometimes
heal
when people are open to receive them
and
he had brought the framed words in
and
read them
with such emotion
as he re told his story.
It was the power of his realization
through his work through grief
that he came to honor
the
"dash"
of love and life
that healed his pain.
At times it is in the work we do
as he described it
that it all finally makes sense
in your heart.
Today
I share with you,
Linda Ellis poem
"The Dash"
I read of a man 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. (You could be at "dash mid-range")

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 spend your dash??


A marvelous poem
a tribute to living and learning
how we spend our
dash
that is so much of who and what we are
how and what we stand for
what we represent in our lives
and
the print we leave with each step we make
on the hearts, minds, and souls of this earth
and
those we come across
however long or briefly.

I hope you are living your life
today
in great minutes
of laughter
and
embracing each challenge
but
IF
you are not feeling well today
I hope you know
you are being thought of
and
know
that you are loved
and
that you find the reserve to fight strong
and
to stand tall
...
Be gentle with yourself
so that after you rest
you will
stand strong
and
LIVE that dash,
making it a
long dash indeed.

Walk in Beauty
DRSES



thoughts going up to all who are facing battles out there and challenges today.
the gentle warriors are thinking of you fondly and strongly.


2 comments:

Irene M said...

On this Tuesday, may I say that today's message from Dr. Sherry is a powerful one, that has come across my eyes before, but it matters more each time it is read. How true.
My body, yesterday & today is fighting me with prominent pain and stiffness, BUT, compared to the real challenges & health issues of others, I can overlook & overcome this mere discomfort.
I think of Andrea's loss, EE, Fluff/Sandy and many others from our page. The FULL MOON last eve was spectacular. Till tomorrow or later in the week, I wish everyone well & positive spirits. I am me and my dash life continues to be FIRM.

Anonymous said...

Greetings on the wind to doc and all here.
loved the "dash" and here is hoping all have a long dash in their lives. Sometimes we realize that some things are just not as important as we once thought and realize that other things are more important than we thought.
Prayers for all here...Andrea, Fluff/sandy and all others who are having problems and loss. One day we will dance with glossimer wings and healed bodies and all this will be worth it.
love and hugs on the wind
EE