Tonight as I was driving home, a thought that has been bothering me for the past few weeks, resurfaced. To be honest, this thought has been on my mind sporadically over the past few years. It is roughly this: ‘how much time do I spend on things that don’t matter, and what am I doing to make my life mean something?’. Now, I’m not interested in discussion just now on who or what gives meaning, but this thought has finally lead me to the re-creation of... I guess we can say ‘a blogging journey’. Why? Good question. This leads me to a few things that this blog may or may not help accomplish. I figure that unlike many blogs, I’d like this space to have a purpose. I want it to be specifically three things.
1. A place.
2. A tool.
3. A vehicle.
A place to encourage and facilitate safe, respectful discussion on things that (may or may not, at times) matter.
A tool for myself, on my own journey throughout life. To help me digest my own thoughts, share some of them clearly and transparently with others, and to see things from others’ perspectives. Additionally, I’d like this blog to be a tool for the times I want feedback on certain issues, to aid me in preparation for sermons, conversations, forums, and whatever else.
A vehicle of (personal) action. A vehicle to show thoughts, to work through certain problems (hopefully community-related as I’ll steer clear of publically broadcasting too many of my own!), and possibly the driving force or motivation leading to action.
By keeping these three things in mind, I hope that this blog can help me constructively spend and invest my time wisely, rather than do the exact opposite (time is something that we can never get back). I hope that it is a step in the right direction and an action/response (one of many) to the question that has periodically bothered me in recent times and years. I hope that this is something that others can engage in and with, as a place that they also may find their time well spent.
With all of that, I want to outline a few things.
No, I do not promise that I will always keep this blog up to date.
No, not every post will be this in-depth or as serious! In fact, the minority of posts will probably be the ones that this exact post is about, yet hopefully that’ll still make it all worthwhile! At least the intentions were good, right?
No, I don’t promise perfect grammar or spelling... (though it’d be nice!).
No, not every post will lead to action, or sometimes even discussion...
Yes, I do want your feedback if a post strikes a chord with you. J
Lastly... I figure I’d give a background on why I chose ‘The Dash’ as the title of this blog. When I was at a funeral – I think it may have been my Papa’s, (in September, 2003) I remember receiving a poem, written on a card. I have a feeling that on the reverse-side there was another poem, named ‘Little Cross in my Pocket’. Anyhow, the poem I’m talking about was called, ‘The Dash’. It pretty much embodies the thoughts I have about making my life count for something...
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 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?
©1996 Linda Ellis
I want to live a life that is pleasing to the God and saviour I serve and love, so may this be beneficial for myself – and may you also (unlike U2) find what it is you’re looking for...
Thoughts? Questions? Comments?
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