The Dash
I’ve seen death stare at me with my own eyes in a way many cannot know
I’ve seen death take others, but still left me below
I’ve heard many scream of mother’s cries but death refuses to hear
In my life I’ve seen faces fill with many tears.
After death has come and gone a tombstone sits for many to see
But it is no more than a symbol of a person’s memory
I’ve seen my share of tombstones but never took the time to truly read
The meaning behind what is there for others to see.
Under the person’s name it read the date of birth-Dash-and the date the person passed
But the more I think about the tombstone, the important thing is the Dash
Yes, I see the name of the person but that I might forget
I also read the date of birth and death but even that might not stick.
But thinking about the individual, I can’t help but remember the Dash
Because it represents a person’s life and that will always last
So when you begin to charter your life make sure you’re on a positive path
Because people may forget your birth and death
But they will never forget your Dash. — By Alton Maiden
It seems that so many people are waiting. I see it all the time. People are looking for someone to tell them to stop waiting.
Are you…
…waiting to get the perfect job?
…waiting to lose the weight before you ask that cute girl/guy out?
…waiting for permission from your parents to move out of the house and start your life.?
…waiting to meet Mr. or Miss Right?
…waiting to start living your life, on your own terms?
…waiting to be debt-free before you start the career you really want?
…waiting to find a purpose in your life?
…waiting for someone, somewhere to tell you what’s important for you to do?
…waiting for someone to show you how you can make a difference in the world or make a difference to just one other person?
…waiting to give you permission to do what you want with your life?
…waiting to start living, rather than just existing?
What are you waiting for?
What do you think your Dash will be composed of when you are no longer here? Make it meaningful.
Related Posts:
1. Life Is Short, But Not That Short
2. Succeeding Means Loving Yourself – Guest Post
3. Five Ways To Add Connection To Your Life
4. The First Step In Finding Meaning For Your Life
5. The Next Step In Finding Meaning For Your Life
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I just subcribed to you blog last night and this post could not be more relevant. Click on my website (www.coach2accomplish.com) to see what I mean. I might be feeding off your post for a while (with acknowledgement of cause.
Thanks.
Welcome Fez,
It sounds like you’re off to a great start on your coaching site. Feel free to use anything useful you find here (there are a ton of great articles on the Archives page).
Thanks for stopping by and I hope you stick around awhile.
Karen
I’m not much of a ‘waiter’ anymore except when it makes sense, like waiting 48 hours before making a purchase to be sure, etc. Otherwise, I’m generally a ‘go for it,’ type of person. I’m around a lot of elderly folks in my day-to-day life, and that’s had the added benefit of urging me to live to the max while I have my health, loved ones still here, etc.
Jean Sarauer´s last blog ..What Lil’ Wayne Can Teach You About Marketing Your Blog
Hi Jean,
Being around people who are a lot older than us can certainly put things into perspective. I’m sure a lot of them will tell us to just go for things we want in life and to stop wating, especially when you still have your health and nothing else is stopping you.
You certainly are a prime example of someone who holds nothing back and is going for it all. I really admire that about you.
Thanks for stopping by,
Karen
Hi Karen, thanks for sharing with us the analogy of the dash. Too many times human beings are just waiting for something to happen until they pass on. We need to make our lives meaningful by living in the moment and taking actions to do what we want to do now. After all, it’s what we do now that creates our future, and I’m going to try my best to make sure that my dash composes of all the things that will have fulfilled my life.
Hulbert Lee´s last blog ..Interview with Annabel Candy
Hi Hulbert,
It’s hard to live in the present and not worry about the future, particularly when you have a lot of fears about the consequences of your actions. But, no one really knows what will happen if you take action today – be optimistic and expect great things to come from you not waiting. You’re exactly right – what we do today creates our future. We should strive to make our ‘Dash’ as meaningful as possible.
Thanks,
Karen
Wow, is this powerful. I’m personally waiting until I get out of debt. I have quite a lot (though others probably are in more/less) and I really have no source of income right now so it’s tough but I know I’ll get through it if I keep trying and never give up.
I find it clever how so many people need to be given permission to do something that they have had the power to do all along… It somewhat makes the world a better place but can also hurt you if you’re not careful.
Thanks for sharing this Karen!
eric´s last blog ..Get To Know Me Better: Ask Me Any 2 Questions You Want
Thanks, Eric. I’m glad that the article resonated with you. I can relate to getting out of debt – I’m down to one month until I’m absolutely debt-free – it will be so wonderful not to owe any money to anyone. Such a liberating feeling! But, owing money hasn’t really stopped me from doing the things that I want to do in my life.
You’ll figure it out and start pulling in some income soon, I’m sure. Being hungry is a great motivator!
Thanks for stopping by,
Karen
Karen,
Haha I like that, “Being hungry is a great motivator!”
So true.
Eric´s last blog ..Get To Know Me Better: Ask Me Any 2 Questions You Want
Karen,
I kid you not I have a post draft titled “what are you waiting for?” that has been sitting in my drafts for over three months.
Unlike you I have not followed through. Most of my waiting is around editing and finalizing blog posts. So no more thanks to you.
Manal´s last blog ..10 Things I Wish We Could Teach Every Child
Hi Manal,
I know the feeling. I had the post in draft status for a while now and was looking for some inspiration. The article just kind of leaped out at me and I’m glad that I didn’t second-guess myself or wait anymore before publishing it. Seize the moment.
It’s hard to get over perfectionism, especially with blogging and having your words out there for eternity. But, don’t let that stop you from sharing your knowledge and wisdom with the rest of the world. No one is perfect and your voice will resonate with a lot of people and help them.
Thanks,
Karen
Very nice post Karen, the best thing is not to wait for things to happen, but to take action and make them happen right now. A very long time ago, I used to wait for things to happen, but not anymore thanks to God. Thanks for sharing
Dia´s last blog ..How to control your emotions and overcome negative thoughts
Hi Dia,
Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment.
Having faith that no matter what happens or what actions you take that you will be okay, is a great motivator to not let life pass you by and to go after those things you truly want in life. No one knows how long we have, so why wait?
Karen
Hi Karen!
I tend to wait for “permission” from others, or validation, to go ahead with what I want to do, create, be, etc.
I am going to make more of a conscious effort to JUST DO IT more often instead of waiting.
Thank you for this post!
Jess Webb´s last blog ..5 Signs You May Need a Website Makeover
Welcome Jess,
Just Do It! is a great motto to have. But, as we all know, we have certain fears and worries about our actions and future. Knowing what you need to be safe and what would happen in the worst case scenario is a great way to motivate you to take action regardless of the consequences.
Why wait when you know that you can handle what happens no matter what?
Thanks for your comment,
Karen
Karen, This is a powerful push to stop waiting and start doing. I see that at times, it may be hard to avoid waiting. Perhaps when trying to figure out what career steps to take next. But rather than just waiting, a person can use that time to learn another skill or take an interim job to gain experience.
I was so amused by Manal’s comment about waiting. You really bet him to the punch with this post.
Madeleine Kolb´s last blog ..Choosing Change as Long as You Live
Hi Madeleine,
You’re right, it is very hard to avoid waiting. We all have to wait sometimes, but we shouldn’t be dragging our heels for years and years when that ‘dash’ is only so long. It makes up our lives and gives meaning.
Hehehe. I’ve been ‘scooped’ so many times by other writers who wrote what I wanted to that I’ve learned not to wait, especially when you get inspired. It’s those articles that resonate the most with people as we are often going through the same thought processes and challenges.
Thanks,
Karen
hello karen,
how are you?
thanks for sharing this because it made me pause to think for a minute. Some opportunities have come and gone without me making use of it, because i WAITED without taking any steps (even if it was tiny steps) to either overcome my fears,
or pursue my goals….
enjoy the rest of the day
ayo´s last blog ..The Importance of Motivation
Ayo, my friend, I am well. I hope you are having a fantastic week.
Without you waiting and losing those opportunities, you wouldn’t have learned the lesson. Now, I know that you take action on your goals as you’ve been accomplishing so much. No more waiting for you!
Thanks for your comment,
Karen
I still find myself waiting sometimes to do the things I really want to, to try and accomplish things that matter to me. I really have to give myself a push to get going it seems.
I know where it comes from, I can name it, it’s fear. I grew up in a very negative environment, constantly being reminded that I was not good enough and would never succeed. I developed a serious fear of failure.
To this day, I really have to get a grip on myself to take a leap and embrace the outcome. I have to remind myself everyday that failure is just life’s way of saying, “Nope, that doesn’t work, try something else.”, fear is a teacher and a stepping stone to success. But sometimes it just doesn’t feel that way.
Welcome Joella,
A great book for you to check out, and which really helped me (and millions of others) is Dr. Susan Jeffers book,, “Feel The Fear And Do It Anyways”. We all have fears but can’t let them stop us from pursuing what’s important in our lives. We need to find a way to overcome or at least mitigate those fears so that we can really live meaningful lives. It sounds like you are on the right path of telling yourself that failure (and fears) are a part of life and not letting that stop you in your pursuits. It’s hard, but know that you are not alone.
Thanks so much for sharing,
Karen
Karen,
Great post. I waited around for a long time before I realized – that I was waiting? Now that I have accepted permission from myself to move in the directions I choose, I’m no longer waiting on the sidelines.
A toast to the end of being a career wall flower!
Angela Artemis´s last blog ..Moving Day has Arrived
Here’s to you, Angela!
It’s easy to sit around and wait for permission, but that could take forever. Better to give yourself the permission to live your own life as you see fit. A great lesson to learn, no matter the age.
I don’t wait much anymore. I’ve lost too many people close to me that didn’t live out full lives and I’ve learned from that to follow my passions, to take risks, and to live a life I design on purpose, not existing until my days run out.
Now that being said, sometimes I do get a bit stalled in some areas but, knowing that is half the battle right there!
Clearly Composed´s last blog .. Balancing Safety and Fun This Holiday Weekend
Hi CC,
That’s beautiful! Thanks so much for sharing. You’ve certainly learned a lot from the tragedies in your life.
Thanks,
Karen
I think we can start with the small things. In the morning, for instance, we shouldn’t wait for the time when we really need to get moving. Instead we should pick ourselves up and look forward to the good things we want to do as well as those we need to accomplish.
Julius´s last blog ..A Day of a Person With Quadriplegia
Hi Julius,
You’re right, we can look at the micro view of our lives from each hour and day to not wait. We can also look at the macro view of our lives and don’t waste our precious time. You can start with the small things and move up to the larger items in your life.
Thanks for adding that,
Karen
Hello Karen,
Thanks for sharing this post, It made me to have too many thoughts because i have waited for so long to come out from the closet!. I have been a mum’s son, until 3 weeks ago when she passed away to be with God almighty!. I have been waiting for so long hoping that my mum will always be there for me even as a young man i am. But right now i have realised to get up my butt and face the future!, work on my own, be a man of my own because there is no need waiting for future!.
Thanks for sharing this and will be visiting again.
God bless
Valentine Belonwu´s last blog ..What Are You Willing To Risk
Welcome Valentine, (cool name!)
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts with us and my condolensces on the passing of your Mom. You are stronger than you know and I’m glad that you are no longer waiting for any external validation. Your life is your own and you only get one of it. Congratulations for choosing to express your real self.
Thanks for stopping by,
Karen