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 her date of birth and spoke 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?”

Poem by Linda Ellis

Inevitably, the dash in your 2009 – 2010 school year included a vast variety of experiences. If your year was like mine, you persevered through an array of moments that come in to focus now as the ups and downs of your life over the last 12 months. What did you do during that dash that you are most proud of? Be sure to take some time to reflect on your accomplishments and give yourself the opportunity to take pride in all that you’ve done over the last year to make a positive impact on the lives of the children you work with. It was time well spent! As you prepare for 2010 – 2011, what experiences will this upcoming dash include? How will you spend your dash in 2010 – 2011? What would be the ultimate dash for you? What would make the new school year an unparalleled success? We spend time with our students setting goals and defining success. Practice what you preach. Identify what you are working toward. Challenge yourself. Now…go get it! This sparkling new dash of yours is loaded with potential.