Priorities...

" A man travels the world over in search of what he needs and returns home to find it."

I recently had the blessed opportunity to travel from my current NYC residence to my lovely hometown, TX, for an entire week. It was one of the most relevant and beautiful (in a unique kind of way) times I've ever had while visiting since I've moved away. This trip around was a different experience than usual because half of my time there was spent in the hospital waiting room, but I would have not rather been anywhere else, but there. It was because of this one experience that I had the opportunity to demonstrate, like never before, my love, care, compassion, nurturing spirit, and concern for some of the people I love the most and hold dearly to my heart. It was quality time spent with family laughing, playing, hugging, eating, praying and even shedding some sorrowful tears.  Reminiscing on my time there can easily bring some sadness since the cause was a tough situation, but I choose to look at it as one that can bring me happiness and peace of mind because it is in the most difficult times when just being present in offering yourself (time, care, and love) is the most that you can do. And, so taking the time off a busy work schedule and my own personal life here in this great city to head toward my reason for being -the love of/for my family and my faith in God, was totally worth it and I knew I had set my priorities straight.  I thank God for my family, friends, and faith!

"Our greatest danger in life is in permitting the urgent things to crowd out the important." 

"The Dash"

I wanted to share this poem with ya'll in light of my friend's father passing this weekend. As I tried to find words of sympathy to comfort her, I didn't have to say much, as she began to express herself.  Her words and positive outlook deeply touched me feeling her peace during her time of grief. She said "I'm so glad for the restoration I experienced in my relationship with him......I have tremendous amount of peace......and feel God with me". I never met her dad and don't know much of how he spent his "dash". However, I do know my friend and have a close enough relationship with her to say that she does her best in living that "dash" in a heart of forgiveness, strength, love, and faith in God. I am grateful for her testimony and her friendship that has encouraged me to stay strong in trust and faith in the One and Only that can make all the difference in our world and whom can also help us to be that positive difference for someone else.

"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?"
by Linda Ellis

It's not surprising to automatically be forced to think of life, especially our own when the sad news of a loved one has past. I think about how I'm living my life and wonder if I would be proud of the things they would say of how I lived my "dash".. Although, there is much sadness and emptiness felt in our heart's during a time of loss, deep down inside us we can try to also find a hint of motivation to make sure and live at the fullest making the most of the relationships we have now and giving all of our efforts to the opportunities that are present to us at the time. It is good to remember that we are influencing lives everyday in positive and negative ways..our family, friends, peers, and those around us, so the choice we make as to how we respond and treat others will go a long ways toward not only determining our joy and happiness but what will be said of us when the time comes for our dash to be spoken of. I hope you will find ways to live that dash with a meaningful purpose in any situation that you encounter.

"The heart that gives, gathers."