The Dash by Linda Ellis

The Dash  by Linda Ellis

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
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 is being read
With your life’s actions to rehash 
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spent your dash?

Life Is Precious

Life Is Precious

Life is so precious
And each day a gift
So enjoy every minute
As it were you last to live
 
Cherish your loved ones
Hug them tight
Share with them your heart
And your time
 
Nothing is forever
And life goes so fast
Each minute that passes
Is one you can’t get back
 
When troubles arrive
And knock you off your feet
Stand up and smile
And remember life is too sweet
 
Every morning when you wake,
Decide right from the start,
That “Today will be a good day”
And let it all in with an open heart

Be Someone, Author Unknown

Be Someone, Author Unknown

Be Someone beautiful on the inside
because that’s what really counts
Be Someone wonderful in all you do;
it isn’t what you do
but how it’s carried out
Be Someone noble
because it’s courageous and strong
Be Someone loyal
because it shows that you value those you love
Be Someone gracious
it allows others to see the tender side of you
Be Someone considerate
because it’s the kind thing to do
Be Someone that makes a difference
in the lives you come across
Be Someone that matters
to all those you love
Be Someone that stands for all these things
and enjoy all the gifts that life will surely bring

You Decide, Author Unknown

You Decide, Author Unknown

You are the person that has to decide
Whether you’ll do it or toss it aside.

You are the one who makes up your mind
Whether you’ll lead or linger behind—

Whether you’ll try for the goal that’s far,
Or be contented to stay where you are.

Take it, or leave it. Here’s something to do,
Just think it over. It’s all up to you!

What do you wish? To be known as a shirk,
Known as a good person who’s willing to work,

Scorned for a loafer or praised by your boss,
Rich or poor, beggar or thief?

Eager or earnest or dull through the day,
Honest or crooked? It’s you who must say!

You must decide in the face of the test
Whether you’ll shirk it or give it your best.

Dare to be different by Helen Lowrie Marshall

Dare to be different by Helen Lowrie Marshall

"Dare to be different; life is so full
Of people who follow the same push-and-pull,
Poor, plodding people who, other than name,
Try to pretend they’re exactly the same.

God made us different; there never will be
A replica soul made of you or me.
The charm—the glory of all creation
rests on this very deviation.

Your charm—your own glory, too,
Lies in being uniquely you—
Lies in being true to your best,
That part of you different from all the rest."

A Builder or Wrecker , Author Unknown

A Builder or Wrecker , Author Unknown

I saw them tearing a building down,
A group of men in a busy town,
With hefty blow and lusty yell,
They swung with zest, And a side wall fell.
 

Asked of the foreman, “Are these men skilled?
The kind you would hire if you had to build?”
He looked at me, and laughed, “No, indeed!
Unskilled labor is all I need.
Why, they can wreck in a day or two,
What it has taken builders years to do.”
 

I asked myself, as I went my way,
Which of these roles have I tried to play?
Am I a builder with rule and square,
Measuring and constructing with skill and care?
Or am I the wrecker who walks the town,
Content with the business of tearing down?

Around the corner by Henson Towne

Around the corner by Henson Towne

Around the corner I have a friend,

In this great city that has no end,

Yet the days go by and weeks rush on,

And before I know it, a year is gone.

For life is a swift and terrible race,

He knows I like him just as well,

As in the days when I rang his bell.

And he rang mine if, we were younger then,

And now we are busy, tired men.

Tired of playing a foolish game,

Tired of trying to make a name.

"Tomorrow," I say, "I will call on Jim

Just to show that I'm thinking of him."

But tomorrow comes and tomorrow goes,

And the distance between us grows and grows.

Around the corner!—yet miles away,

"Here's a telegram sir, Jim died today."

And that's what we get and deserve in the end.

Around the corner, a vanished friend.

Remember to always say what you mean.

If you love someone, tell them.

Don't be afraid to express yourself.

Reach out and tell someone what they mean to you.

Because when you decide that it is the right time,

It might be too late.