Assurex E&O Plus | Are You Proud of Your “Dash?”
21202
post-template-default,single,single-post,postid-21202,single-format-standard,qode-quick-links-1.0,ajax_fade,page_not_loaded,,qode-theme-ver-11.1,qode-theme-bridge,wpb-js-composer js-comp-ver-5.1.1,vc_responsive

Are You Proud of Your “Dash?”

10 Oct Are You Proud of Your “Dash?”

Posted at 09:00h in Pearsall’s Perspective – E&O Plus Tip of the Week by

Many years ago, I was sent a poem that I passed on to friends and colleagues. It involves a fair amount of self-reflection, which I feel is a great attribute to live by. While I am not really into poems, this one resonated with me, and I hope it will do the same for you. Here it is:

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 the tombstone from the beginning to the end.

He noted first came the date of the birth and spoke the following date with tears.
But he said what mattered most of all was the dash between the years.

For that dash represents all the time that they spent life on Earth.
And now only those who loved them 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.

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?

 

While this poem is largely focused on our overall life, please allow me to add a subset to this poem with a bit of self-reflection on your work life. What are the principles you are committed to? Is treating others with respect and courtesy two of those principles? Do you live by the principles of honesty and integrity?

No doubt, many of you are proud of your answers, while for others, quite possibly, your answers don’t measure up. Today is a new day to have the “dash” of your working career be one you are proud of.