The Dash

I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of his 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 second with tears,
but he said that 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. (You could be at "dash mid-range.")
If we could just slow down enough to consider what's true and what's 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 pleased with the things they have to say about how you spent your dash?
- Linda Ellis

Great words to a great song by a South African band, which I feel can take the world by storm.

Did you hear the news on the radio today?
People have agreed to give their love away
I can't wait to be there in line!
Politicians have agreed to honour and obey
They’ll come down and listen to what the people say
I can't wait to be there in line, no no!
Children will play in the streets
Loving everyone they meet
Open hearts will be the rhythm of the day
Neighbours will greet each other
Sisters and the brothers
Even enemies will come to be friends
I can't wait to be there in line
If you are ready
Feel free to come around
If you are ready
Vem ca amigo, irei levar-te la
If you are ready...
Say you want to live and grow in kindness every day
Say you know the meaning of love
See every person that you meet
As every you and every me
And then I'll know you feel the rhythm of love!
I can't wait to be there in line, no no!

RISKS

To laugh is to risk appearing the fool,
To weep is to risk being called sentimental.
To reach out to another is to risk involvement.
To expose feelings is to risk showing your true self.
To place your ideas and your dreams before the crowd is to risk being called naive.
To love is to risk not being loved in return,
To live is to risk dying,
To hope is to risk despair,
To try is to risk failure

But risks must be taken, because the greatest risk in life is to risk nothing.
The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing, is nothing, and becomes nothing.
He may avoid suffering and sorrow, but he simply cannot learn, feel, change, grow or love.
Chained by his certitude, he is a slave; he has forfeited his freedom.
Only the person who risks is truly free.

Janet Rand.

Hi There

I am from South African and would love to chat and make friends all around the world, so say hi. :)