Motivation Stuff

A Daily Dose of Motivation are mental food for our mind. You need to feed it everyday so as to keep it in TOP condition.
Zig Ziglar is famous for saying: "People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well neither does bathing - that's why we recommend it daily."

The Real Story Behind “The Dash” Poem: More Than Just Lines

So, have you ever paused long enough to wonder what people will remember about you when you’re gone? That’s the question behind “The Dash”, a poem that took on a life way bigger than its humble beginning. I’ll never forget the day I faxed it to a radio show in Atlanta, expecting maybe a kind nod or a quick chuckle. Instead? The host read it on air and everything shifted. Suddenly, I was getting letters from across the country, strangers sharing how it changed the way they saw their lives. Wild, right?

Why Did I Write The Dash?

Let me paint a picture: I was working at this high-pressure corporate job, the kind where people worry about deadlines more than daylight. Walking around, I saw so many folks fretting over things that, in the big picture, meant nothing. One day, an email floated around, words from a dying coworker’s wife. One part stuck with me like a stubborn coffee stain:

“Too much worrying. I worried about being late, finding the right partner…it didn’t matter. It all works out.”

If that doesn’t make you stop and think, I don’t know what will. Her wisdom nudged me to write about what really counts: not the start or end dates of your life, but all the little moments in between.

When The Dash Hit Home

Now, you might be wondering, does the writer really live by their own advice? Here’s the thing: Even though I’d written it, the full weight didn’t hit me until a student sent an email. She’d heard it at a memorial for Columbine High, and the way she wrote, raw, grateful, I realized poetry could hold people up in their darkest times. And, honestly, I sat on my hotel bed and cried. Later, the poem played at my own dad’s funeral. It was heartbreaking and comforting at the same time, reading my own words back to myself.

How “The Dash” Became a Ripple Effect

Real talk: The Dash has popped up everywhere. School plays. Yearbooks. Even speeches by Supreme Court Justices. But the best part? It encourages real change. I’ve heard moms deciding to tuck in their kids every night. Old friends picking up the phone after years. Husbands walking in the door for dinner instead of staying late (okay, sometimes just ordering takeout and calling it dinner, but still). It’s not just about avoiding regrets, it’s about squeezing every drop out of your own “dash.”

Actionable Takeaways for Making Your Dash Count

Let’s get practical, because inspiration’s nice, but action is gold:

Prioritize what truly matters: When you feel overwhelmed, ask, “Will this matter in five years?” If not, let it slide.
Make time for connection: Every day, reach out to someone you care about, even if it’s just a two-line text.
Celebrate small wins: Your dash isn’t just the big milestones; it’s coffee with friends, laughs with your kids, helping a neighbor.
Let go of perfection: Life won’t look like an Instagram highlight. That’s okay. Messy is memorable.

Bonus tip? Write your own life mission statement, not for LinkedIn but for your fridge. Remind yourself why your dash matters.

My Hope for Your Dash

Honestly? I hope reading this story nudges you to look up from your phone, hug someone a little tighter, or drop the grudge you’ve been holding onto. Life is short. None of us control the dates, but we get to write every line in the middle. Make it count. If you want to dig deeper, there are tons of resources and stories out there, don’t just take my word for it. The power’s in your hands. So, how will you make your dash matter?

Relevant read:
The Dash: Making a Difference with Your Life : Linda Ellis

Quotes for the day:

"The power to move the world is in the subconscious mind."
*-- William James

"Holding on to anger, resentment and hurt only gives you tense muscles, a headache and a sore jaw from clenching your teeth. Forgiveness gives you back the laughter and the lightness in your life."
*-- Joan Lunden

"We go where our vision is."
*-- Joseph Murphy

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