The Wikipedia definition of regret provides an interesting nuance: The definition of regret includes experiencing mourning, sorrow, and disappointment. We don’t often like to think in terms of regrets, probably because the feeling of regret is unpleasant. Striving to live a more intentional life may include being more mindful of our actions, creating healthy habits, and eliminating what we no longer need to make room for the life we want. Luckily I’m in good health, but my grandmother’s death and my recent birthday have caused me to pose this question: if I died today, would I be happy with how I’m living my dash, or would I have any regrets? Does my day-to-day life actually align with the values I say are important to me? Even though I’m almost seven years into my minimalism journey, I still have work to do in this area for sure. But we can control how we “live our dash” – and my grandmother lived hers to the fullest.īirthdays are a good time to reflect on how we are “living our dash”. It was her body that eventually gave out.

In the end, her mind was still as sharp as ever. Like all of us, my grandmother couldn’t control the dates on her tombstone. What matters is how we live and love and how we spend our dash. He noted that first came the date of birth and spoke of the following date with tears, but he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years.įor that dash represents all the time they spent alive on earth and now only those who loved them know what that little line is worth.įor it matters not, how much we own, the cars… the house… the cash. He referred to the dates on the tombstone from the beginning… to the end. I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend. I am reminded of a poem that I am planning to have read at my own funeral called The Dash by Linda Ellis. But through it all, my grandmother stayed true to her faith, her values, and her family until her last days on earth. The things that changed in her 102 years on earth are mind-boggling. As I wrote the poem that I recited at her funeral, I was in awe at what a full, amazing life she lived. Remembering that this special dash might only last a little while.My grandmother passed away on September 8, one week before my 41st birthday. If we treat each other with respect and more often wear a smile, If we could just slow down enough to consider what’s true and real,Īnd always try to understand the way other people feel.īe less quick to anger and show appreciation more,Īnd love the people in our lives like we’ve never loved before.

Are there things you’d like to change?įor you never know how much time is left that can still be rearranged. What matters is how we live and love, and how we spend our dash. He noted first came the date of the birth and spoke the following date with tears.īut he said what mattered most of all was the dash between the years.įor that dash represents all the time that they spent life on Earth.Īnd now only those who loved them know what that little line is worth.įor it matters not how much we own, the cars, the house, the cash. He referred to the dates on the tombstone from the beginning to the end. We wish you a very Happy New Year from our Board and Team here at the North Georgia Community Foundation! The Dash Poem Think about your own ‘Dash.” Do you want to give more of your time? Your talents? Your treasures? How can you continue to live out and build your own unique legacy? Then, she challenged our Board with this thought: “How are you living your ‘Dash’? What is it that will fill the moments of time from the beginning of your life, to the end?”Īs we embark on this new year, whether you have heard this poem before or not, we encourage you to take a minute and read the words carefully. Recently, at our North Georgia Community Foundation Board Retreat, Mary Hart shared a poem, “The Dash” by Linda Ellis. One of the things we appreciate the most about Mary Hart is how she is always sharing her words of wisdom and encouragement everywhere she goes. We are honored that she is a current (and founding) NGCF Board Member, as well as a past Board Chair. Mary Hart Wilheit is a woman of grace and love.

“The Dash” ~ a Poem by Linda Ellis posted: December 31, 2021

Poem dash between birth death dates