Change the World

The Dash Poem

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 in 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 where your eulogy is being read

With your life's actions to rehash

Would you be proud of the things they say

About how you spend you dash?

The first time I heard this poem, I think it was in leadership lehigh, I just fell in love with it. It is so true. When you die you cannot take your house or car or even the shirt on your back for that matter. We don't know how long our dash is going to be, so we need to make the most of it, because when your eulogy is read you will only be remembered for the dash between the years.

I've heard a lot of people say that they want to change the world. (me included) Well that is definitely not an easy task! But how do we really change the world? It can be done in so many different ways, as a teacher, a doctor, a mentor, or a philanthropist, but first we need to change ourselves. 

I was listening to the radio yesterday and "Man in the Mirror" by Michael Jackson was playing. "I see the kids in the street without enough to eat." "I'm starting with the man in the mirror. I'm asking him to change his ways. No message could have been any clearer. If you want to make the world a better place. Take a look at yourself and make that change." Michael Jackson could not have said it better. Before we can go out and change the world we need to first change ourselves.

"Be the change you wish to see in the world." ~Gandhi

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate; our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us." ~Nelson Mandela

To laugh often and much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; To leave the world a bit better...To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I cant do." ~Edward Halecould