How I live my Dash...

I came across this poem a while ago. And I know there's a song about it too. I need to have this tattooed to my forehead or something ( not literally ) so that I can remember not to focus on all the little issues life gives me. And just focus on living that dash. I think we could all use a reminder of that now and then. Don't live in the past, don't live to much in the future. Remember the lessons, make the plans, but remember to do all you can to just have a good dash. When we're all to old to go out and ride I hope we can still have a great time remembering all that we accomplished in our lives. I don't know about you but I for one don't want to be sitting around when I'm in my mid 70's or so thinking "man... I wish I had ____ " I want to be more like another quote I've heard - "When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, 'I used everything you gave me'. "

Now on to the poem. How will you live your 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 love 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 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 read

With your life’s actions to rehash

Would you be proud of the things they say

About how you spent your dash?

*author unknown*