The Dash: Being a man or woman of VALUE

I went home to see my parents and sisters today for Christmas. While I was there I noticed a poem my sister had hung on our refrigerator. Recently a school friend of hers passed away. I didn't ask, but I assume this poem had something connection to her classmate.

I read it and thought - this is the PERFECT explanation of what it means to be a man or woman of VALUE. Many of you have things and live lives I never have and never will, at the same time I've been blessed with opportunities in my life that many of you may never live. If you've heard me say once, you've heard me say a thousand times: BE A MAN (WOMAN) OF VALUE. THE HONOR IS IN YOUR EFFORTS.

Please watch, and think about the words below.  What will you do with YOUR dash?????

http://www.thedashmovie.com/

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 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?